VEEDERSBURG, Ind. Teachers retiring at Fountain Central High School have enjoyed their time with the students and staff.

Dan Halladay, Phil Rash and Dorie Johnson are leaving with more than 30 years at the school. And while Brad Smiths time at Fountain Central is much shorter, he has been in education for 40 years.

I wanted to teach since I was in elementary school, Halladay said. I liked grading, and I liked teaching other kids.

Halladay was involved in coaching, including 10 years with girls basketball, one year in baseball, three years in girls track, 10 years as a football assistant and 10 years with junior high football.

I have really enjoyed it, Halladay said. We have very good community support. We have tons of great people.

He will continue to work with a football officiating crew and umpire girls softball. He also sells sports cards on eBay.

Halladay is proud that four of his former students are now school superintendents.

Many others are pillars of their community, he said. I have lots of friendships from teachers and coaches.

Halladay estimated that 60 percent of his students now are second generation from local families.

Halladay took students to Russia in 1995 and has taken students to Germany four times, a program that continues annually at Fountain Central.

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Longevity the mark at school