PHOENIXVILLE — Over 250 family, friends, faculty and well-wishers paid their respects and offered their congratulations to Dr. David R. Noyes, Phoenixville Area School District Superintendent of Schools, at his retirement party at Robert Ryan’s Columbia Station Tuesday evening.
Donations from the party will be used to provide a scholarship for a graduating senior in honor of Dr. David R. Noyes.
The scholarship should be rather fruitful, as plenty of people attended the party to honor Noyes, who will officially retire from the school district effective June 30, 2008.
During the festivities, attendees dined on refreshments and were given the opportunity to pay tribute to Noyes via videotape, courtesy of Tom Ramsey and Phantom TV.
The Phoenixville Area School District Administrative Team presented Noyes with a wooden rocking chair, which he gave a brief test run.
Joe Anderson, Director of Human Resources read out a framed letter from Congressman Jim Gerlach, and handed Noyes the letter afterwards.
Chester County Commissioner Carol Aichele presented Noyes with a citation from the county commissioners.
After the presents, the guest of honor took the microphone for a few words.
“When I was told about this, I was told that it would be small and intimate,” said Noyes. “This is overwhelming to me.”
Noyes spoke about the misconception another superintendent had about his license plate, which reads “PASD1”
“I don’t want people to think that I’m number one in the district,” he said. “The most im
portant people in this school district are the students. Kids are first. We made decisions for the children. We always ask, ‘What’s best for the kids?’”
Noyes then thanked his wife Cathy, “She’s been a constant support to me. She’s kept me off the ledge.”
He also thanked school board member Cathy Varady “for making me a better superintendent that I am.”
Providing some levity to the festivities, Noyes spoke of success, “Success changes with age. At age four, success is not piddling in your pants. At age 12, success is having friends. At age 17, success is having a drivers license. At age 35, success is having money. At age 50, success is having money. At age 70, success is having a drivers license. At age 75, success is having friends. At age 80, success is not piddling in your pants.”
Noyes concluded by telling everyone what makes him proud.
“I’m proud of the school district and the student achievements,” he said. “The teachers have done a tremendous job. I’m proud of the positive influence of the district on the community. I’m proud of the school board for hiring someone like Maria Schwab (the new superintendent).”
A giant sheet cake with the words “Happy Retirement Dr. Noyes” was sliced and served.
Several members of Noyes’ administration spoke highly of him.
“Dr. Noyes has done a wonderful job,” said Frank Garritano, Schuylkill Elementary School principal. “Not just for the school district, but for the community in bringing them all together.”
“When I think of David Noyes, I think of a man with the utmost integrity,” said Rich Kaskey, Phoenixville Area High School principal. “I think of a man who trusts his employees to be profesisonals and to always do what is the best interest of our kids.”
“This is difficult for me to put into words,” said Karen Coldwell, Kindergarten Center principal. “How Dr. Noyes inspires us as administrators is he does it with such grace. He gives us the tools to make our own decisions. He leads us, guides us, and is always there for us.”
“I’ve had some great mentors in my career, and I have to say that Dave Noyes is the greatest of them all,” said Maria Schwab, the incoming superintendent.
While meeting and greeting with well-wishers, Noyes expressed these final thoughts, “I think the Phoenixville area is the most extraordinary community I’ve ever seen. How people unite for a cause or a need, is unlike any I’ve ever seen. I’ve been honored to be Superintendent of Schools and get to know so many true community leaders.”