SOUTH WHITLEY – According to the U.S. Department of Labor in 2016 the median number of years an employee would have stayed loyal to their company was 4.2 years. Compare that with Whitko’s retirees who regularly meet on an every other month basis to share a meal and reconnect, and you’ll quickly discover many in this group loyally served for 20 or more years inside the public school system at Whitko, and many have chosen to continue their Whitko experience by serving as volunteers today.

The quality of friendships inside and outside of the workforce is impressive. “We’re friends, and we want those friendships to continue. Cause after all, we spent many years together,” shared retired kindergarten teacher Becky Dick. The idea for the group to meet on a recurring schedule was thought up among the group who quickly fell in love with the idea. 

“We love to see recurring guests. It puts a smile on our face, it’s fun to build a relationship with our customers. And so when people come in to celebrate, here, it’s kind of an honor to be a part of that,” said Tiffany Aites, assistant general manager for Cerulean located in Winona Lake. 

Scott Ringler, a former speech pathologist for Whitko who later transitioned into an assistant principal and athletic director in Milford said, “This is the first time I’ve done this. I got a text from Becky, and I said, ‘you know if I don’t have anything to do, I’m gonna do it.’” Ringer went on to describe that he regularly drives and delivers vehicles part-time now that he is retired, and he had turned down a job to be able to enjoy the luncheon instead.

The Whitko Retiree Group consists of 15-20 former teachers and staff from the Whitko Community, and continue to invite newcomers.