From the pages of the Smyrna/Clayton Sun-Times
May 24, 1989
Metal Masters Begins Rehiring
Metal Masters has hired about 15 new employees recently and is in the market for about 15 more, according to W.H. “Chip” Carstensen, vice-president of human resources for the company.
Metal Masters, the largest private employer in Smyrna/Clayton, manufactures food service equipment in both Smyrna and Clayton.
The company had laid off approximately 35 of its 275 workers in January, and had instituted a shortened work week.
But March and April were excellent months for the company, and right now many are working overtime hours....
Metal Masters recalled all laid off workers, and about 60 percent of them returned....
The Weekly Interview: Teachers of the Year
By Susan Biro
Editor
Six teachers in the Smyrna School District have a significant honor in common they found out about last week. They were all selected as by their peers, in their respective buildings, as a district nominee for teacher of the year. They now hold the honor as teacher of the year for their building, and, one of the six will be chosen next fall to represent Smyrna as its district teacher of the year....
Smyrna Kindergarten Center – Janine O. Nichols, 27, has been in the Smyrna District three years as a kindergarten teacher.... Nichols lists many reasons the field of teaching appeals to her, and among them are, “Helping to mold a child into a productive human being. And to work with all of the creative abilities a child has and help them realize they can do or be anything....”
Smyrna Elementary School – Kersti Miller actually began her tenure in this district at the Kenton School before it became part of the Smyrna School District. Originally from Estonia (an independent European country now part of the USSR), she lived in Germany during World War II.... Miller has taught in the Smyrna District 22 years, including the years in Kenton. A Chapter I teacher, she and aide Mrs. Sherrill McGuigan teach 60 students from grades 1-4....
North Smyrna Elementary School – Beverly Beck, 41, has been in the district 20 years. Her husband’s name is Clark, and she has an 11-year-old daughter, Elizabeth. She currently teaches English, reading and spelling to 4th graders.... Beck said of teaching, “I suppose what really drew me to it was my love of working with children. To see children grow with knowledge and share experiences is very rewarding....”
Clayton Elementary School – 28-year-old Christina Palmer has been in the district five years. She is married to Rock Palmer and currently teaches science, social studies and math at the elementary level.... Palmer’s school related activities include being an SEA member, director of the Maypole Dance, member of the Clayton Home School Association, member of Alpha Delta Kappa, and member of the Drug Awareness Committee....
Smyrna Middle School – Diane Sterling has a husband, William, and two children, 10-year-old Laura and 7-year-old Billy. She has been in the Smyrna District 14 years. She currently teaches special education in grades 5 through 7.... School related activities she is involved in include school-sponsored dances and festivals, Special Olympics, making birthday cakes for teachers, and organizing a Spring Carnival hosted by her students at the end of the school year....
Smyrna High School – Debbie Wicks is a repeat winner as Smyrna High’s teacher of the year. In 1981 she also received this honor from her peers. The daughter of Earl and Dorothy Downs, she is married to farmer George Wicks III and they have three children, George, a junior at the University of Delaware; Patti, 18, a freshman at U of D; and Katie, 16, a junior at Smyrna. She has been in the district her entire teaching career, 12 years, and currently teaches basic American History for grades 9-12, and basic civics for special education students....
