By Samm Sharp Posted June 7, 2018
Saying goodbye to an era of music…
After 34 years of directing music, Mr. Paul Criddle is finally retiring; 29 of those years were spent at Lowry, where Criddle has revolutionized the music program.
Mr. Criddle has impacted generations of people; he has even taught the parents of current students. Not to mention, the Lowry High School Swing Choir was Mr. Criddle’s creation.
Criddle says he isn’t retiring completely, just from teaching. He will still be firefighting and has a few other plans for the future.
“I’m going to do some traveling, visit my kids, do some skiing, and write some music. I’d also like to possibly get the music I’ve already written published,” said Criddle.
Criddle stated his favorite part about working at Lowry is the students. He loved teaching and working with them, and of course, showing them off at concerts and on tour.
“I enjoyed my time at Lowry. It’s been very rewarding. I’ll see where life takes me,” said Criddle.
The beginning of a new chapter…
Ms. Rene Hill has been teaching for 12 years at Lowry while raising four kids. She’s taught AP Literature for 11 years and student taught in the Social Studies Department at the beginning of her time here.
Hill is not retiring yet but will be moving to Boulder, Colorado, this summer. She’s going back to the University of Colorado to get her Master’s degree in clinical psychology.
Hill has not decided if she will be going back to teaching literature after obtaining her degree and says she is “just going to see what happens. I’m still waiting to see what I want to be when I grow up. But I’m really going to miss teaching AP Literature.”
“I really love to teach,” said Hill. “I’m going to miss the kids because that’s the best part about teaching. Some people tell me ‘Oh; you’re just sick of kids’ but no, not really.“
Lending a helping hand…
Mr. Jim Weidemann has been teaching in Nevada for 11 years, including Winnemucca, Battle Mountain, Goldfield, and McDermitt but has spent some time traveling even before his “graduation.”
“I have taught in Hawaii, Alaska, and Idaho before my time at Lowry,” said Weidemann.
Weidemann’s plans for his graduation include going fishing in Washington as well as moving there, traveling and visiting Alaska, rebuilding an old vehicle, and finishing some projects.
Weidemann stated he will miss the kids the most, working with them and helping them the best he can. In addition to the kids, he will miss his co-workers and administration.
Leaving the course for good…
Mr. Todd Milton has been the counselor at Lowry for eight years total. First from 1998 to 2001, and then from 2013 until now. Milton has been the golf coach for three years and coached Junior High basketball for two.
Mr. Milton said his time here at Lowry has been awesome.
“It really has been. I’ve really, really enjoyed my time here. The students, the staff, the administration, everybody. It’s been a great experience,” said Milton.
Milton stated he would be moving to Spring Creek to be a counselor at Elko High School and has accepted the position.
Milton stated his favorite thing about working here is the people, and that’s what he will miss the most. He is convinced he will miss every part of the school, even the buildings.
“It’s a great place to be, and I am going to miss it dearly,” said Milton.
