After working for 35 years in Topeka Public Schools, Robert Hays plans to enjoy retirement to the fullest. “I am at a time in my life when it is time to explore different experiences, slow down a little bit, spend time with my grandchildren, wife, and enjoy the many hobbies I have,” Hays said. Hays decided to become a part of Topeka High because of his teachers, coaches, and mentors. “There are too many awesome memories,” Hays said. “However, my favorite event is always Graduation – being able to celebrate the time, work, and commitment students have made to earn their diplomas and step into the next chapter in their lives. While being retired and away from Topeka High, he will enjoy his favorite snack, peanut M&M’s.”
After 32 years, Ryan Arnold plans to slow things down a bit. “I will miss Javier Pena-Tino,” Arnold said. Every morning, I talk to Javier about movies, Legos, video games, whatever. I’ll miss our daily conversations.” Despite leaving cherished students, Arnold will relax and slow down his life after this school year. “My favorite memory is running off the halls, it always gives me goosebumps,” Arnold said. Holding memories of Topeka High, he will enjoy eating his Gardetto’s Snack Mix while relaxing.
Amazed by how little Karla Loy’s coworkers knew about history, she became a history teacher and learned she preferred science, starting her 23-year career with Topeka High. Loy is saddened by how she has to leave many students who left an impression on her, but during retirement, she plans to continue visiting every national park in the U.S. Loy loves this place, and hopes the future generations will continue making what Topeka High, Topeka High. “Do not lose sight of the traditions because that is what makes Topeka High, Topeka High,” Loy said.
Kenneth Bennet is retiring from his 20-year career. Bennet started working at schools because his eighth-grade homeroom teacher, Mr. Lathe, told him to become a teacher and helped Bennet to accomplish that goal. “I have many students that I am sad I have to leave, Will Toland, Hailey Caryl, Jones Erby, and the Womack twins, my cross country team, and swim teams. “I am feeling excited about retirement because of being able to move to the next step of my life, Bennet said. “The dedication and desire to do their best is one of the reasons I enjoyed coaching cross country. I will miss it.”
After working at Topeka High for 19 years, Deana Cowan is retiring this year. In high school, she fell in love with literature and teenagers, so she put that all together. She loved Topeka High because everyone has a place here. “Take advantage of what Topeka High has to offer because you only get to experience high school once, and this place will help you become who you’re going to be,” Cowan said. She wants to be remembered as someone who pushed kids and expected a lot out of them because she cared for them and knew eventually it would pay off in their future.
After spending 32 years at Topeka High, Heather Prothe is retiring for a new opportunity with Copeland Insurance Agency. “Topeka High School is a special place,” Prothe said. “Tradition runs deep – you can feel it when you walk into the building. I will miss coming to such a beautiful building to work.” As a high school teacher’s aide, she fell in love and decided it would be something she is good at. Prothe had loved working with her students, and now her students’ children are her students. “With that comes wisdom, lots of knowledge—some helpful and some useless—and the right to give the ‘Mom Look’ to any student who might need it,” Prothe said.
