RUSHVILLE —
Longtime Milroy educator and principal Phil Mitchell received quite a surprise during Sunday’s dedication ceremony for the new Milroy Elementary School. Dr. Rob Jackman, president of the Milroy Economic Development Corporation, asked Mitchell and his family to join him and other members of the MEDC at the podium during the program that took place in the gymnasium of the new school. Dr. Jackman said that it was with “great appreciation and great pride” that the MEDC purchased two signs to identify the driveways at the new school as Phillip E. Mitchell Drive. “The Milroy community believes you are the only individual who deserves this honor. If we gave all the reasons for you to receive this honor we would be here for 24 hours,” Dr. Jackman said. “You were a teacher and principal at Milroy for 40 years. Your passion for the school, from the kids to the teaches to staff and to parents was displayed every day of those 40 years. That’s 14,600 days! You were a true leader, and today we finally have the opportunity to say thank you, Mr. Mitchell,” Dr. Jackman continued. He went on to note that Mitchell’s counseling saved many Milroy youth from making bad life choices, that Mitchell’s discipline was always fair, and that Mitchell always “went above and beyond,” including driving the school bus to take Milroy teams to away games. “Everyone here today has fond memories of the important role you played in their lives,” Dr. Jackman concluded. Mitchell was obviously very moved by the surprise recognition, so moved emotionally that he initially declined comment. However, several minutes later he did offer a few words to the Rushville Republican. “This was a complete surprise and I’m very emotional right now. They asked me to speak but I just couldn’t,” Mitchell said. “I enjoyed 40 years at Milroy school. I have a lot of friends and a lot of students I tried to help along the way and many of them appreciated it.”
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
