Houston resident greeted with surprise celebration on Upper St. Clair retirement
Warren Sickles is presented with a special hat for the occasion by his sister, Susan Amos.
Boyce Middle School health and physical education teacher Dana Mellinger shares in the festivities.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Boyce Middle School sixth-grade counselor Amy Antonio greets Warren Sickles.
Warren Sickles
What's a celebration without balloons.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
A Boyce Middle School staff member provides well wishes.
Susan Amos, Warren Sickles' sister, captures the occasion for posterity.
Warren Sickles is greeted by well-wishers.
After wrapping up his 42-year career with Upper St. Clair School District by signing his retirement papers, Warren Sickles looked forward to walking back outside as the sunny, warm morning of May 27 approached noon.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Heather Vehar, left, and daughter Ainsley wish Uncle Warren well.
As he passed through the door, he stopped abruptly, greeted by the sight of dozens of well-wishers gathered at the top of the high school stadium bleachers, onto which the new district central administration building exits.
Complying with safety protocols, everyone was wearing a protective mask. But anyone present could tell smiles abounded under the fabric.
Sickles, a Houston resident who has Down syndrome, had been employed by the school district since before many of his co-workers were born. Joining them in celebrating his retirement were members of his family, including sister Susan Amos of Amwell Township, niece Amanda Amos of Houston, and brothers Frank and Mike Sickles.
For the occasion, Warren proudly wore his shirt emblazoned with the logo of the Houston Volunteer Fire Department, in which he is a social member. Adding to his wardrobe was a hat placed on his head by Sister Susan proclaiming “The Legend Has Retired.”
And these days, who can argue that anyone who spends more than four decades on a job is anything but legendary.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Harry Funk/The Almanac
As Warren Sickles exits the Upper St. Clair School District administration building, he is surprised to see a crowd of well-wishers greeting him.