GCS Athletic Director Christopher Marshall (right) presents plaque to GHS Athletic Secretary Bonnie Walker (left) in appreciation of her dedicated service to Gouverneur Central School District for more than 30 years. (Rachel Hunter photo)

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Central School District Athletic Department recently acknowledged and recognized the retirement of GHS Athletic Secretary Bonnie Walker for her dedicated years of service with Gouverneur Central School District from September 11, 1989 through June 30, 2021.

The recognition was held during the 2020-21 GHS Varsity Athletic Banquet on June 22, which was sponsored by the GHS Varsity Club.

GCS Athletic Director Christopher Marshall first welcomed former GCS Athletic Director, Coach Frank Bush, to the podium to say a few words.

“Five or six years ago when they asked me if I wanted to be the athletic coordinator, the first call I made was to Bob Garofalo who had been the athletic coordinator kind of in the same situation as I had. So we had a conversation, Bob and I. Of course he told me that I wasn’t going to get paid enough, that the hours were too long, all of those things… And then he said to me, “The most important thing, make sure Bonnie Walker is not going to retire.”

“So my second call was to Bonnie Walker, and I said, “Bonnie, this is what they’ve asked me to do.” And she said, “Frank, they are going to ask you to do too much. You are going to be in there too long. You can’t do the job part-time…” And I said, “I pretty much know all that stuff… Are you going to retire?” And Bonnie said, “No, I am not going to retire until I am 62.” I said, “Wow, great!” And so I took the job.

“The one thing I know from my time here is Bonnie Walker is going to be so missed. It is unbelievable the amount of work that Bonnie does. And again, I appreciated it when I was here Bonnie, and I’ll leave you with one thing: Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat.”

Great applause sounded throughout the GHS auditorium.

GCS Athletic Director Christopher Marshall then took to the podium and said the following: “Mrs. Walker has been an invaluable asset to the athletic department at GHS for years. Whether you know it or not, I guarantee you that many of you have been spoiled by Bonnie’s efforts throughout the years. She does so many kind gestures to the families involved in athletics – small touches on tasks that will be impossible to replicate. I will miss her a great deal, and for many of the reasons that has nothing to do with work. Most of all, I will miss her parting words of wisdom as she would leave the office every afternoon. If you were ever around the office as she left, you could always count on hearing: “Tomorrow’s a new day.”

GCS Athletic Director Christopher Marshall presented a plaque with the following inscription to Mrs. Walker: “Congratulations on your retirement presented to Bonnie Walker in sincere appreciation for your dedicated years of service with Gouverneur Central School District. We hope that you enjoy your well-deserved retirement 9/11/1989 – 6/30/2021.” Thunderous applause sounded as Mrs. Walker accepted the award.

As the 2020-21 GHS Athletic Ceremony continued, many of the varsity coaches commented on her unwavering dedication to Gouverneur Central’s student-athletes, their families, coaches and other GCS staff members and willingness to lend a helping hand. Many words of congratulations and best wishes were extended to Mrs. Walker following the varsity athletics ceremony in the GHS auditorium.

For more information of Gouverneur CSD, visit gcsk12.org.