Pillar of Seven Persons School retires after 42 years

Commentator/Courier Photo by Anna Smith School Culture Cornerstone: Marilyn Noga poses for a portrait with a carved stone that will be placed on the grounds to celebrate her 42 years with the school.

By Anna Smith
Commentator/Courier

In the tapestry of every school, there are rare threads that weave through multiple generations; a sentiment expressed at the retirement assembly for a longstanding part of Seven Persons’ School culture, Miss Marilyn Noga.

There was not a dry eye in the Seven Persons’ School Gymnasium on October 13, as both current and former students, colleagues, and parents gathered to congratulate Noga, who worked at the school as an education assistant, on taking the next step in her life after 42 years as part of the school’s vibrant culture. 

Noga’s favourite part of working at the school was always the children, said retired teacher and longtime friend of Noga, Cyndi Arnott, and in a touching display, had several students from Seven Persons School read out Noga’s story in pieces, so as to include the greatest joy of her career in sending her off into the next leg of her journey.

“Thank you to the entire Seven Persons community for allowing me to be part of this amazing school for all these years,” said Noga. “I always say you never know what kind of impact you have made on staff and students until later in life. And my hope is that somehow I have made an impact on you all. Thank you so much.”

Noga is originally from the Medicine Hat area, but came out once she received the call for the job and never looked back, becoming a fixture in the lives of multiple generations of students.

“It’s just been a wonderful journey,” said Noga after the conclusion of the ceremony, adding that they haven’t seen the last of her, as she still has family connections to the school and is likely to come back to visit. “I miss it already, but I’ll be back to just take some time, come back and see the kids because that’s why we do what we do.”