Howell High School’s longtime choir director is retiring at the end of this year. While he’s received high honors and awards from around the country, the school thought there was one more honor he should certainly be granted.
Rod Bushey has been the director of choirs at Howell High School for 43 years so the school went all out to surprise him when they learned he was being honored as one of our All Stars.
Whether they’re singing or listening there isn’t a student who’s made their way through the high school that doesn’t know Mr. Bushey.
Bushey had no idea we were on our way to surprise him with students, faculty and his family in tow.
“I’m overwhelmed, I’ve just been kind of going through the year enjoying it,” Mr. Bushey said.
Educators at Howell high school say Mr. Bushey is just as excited to come into work now as he was on his first day 43 years ago.
“He’s so in love with his work it’s just amazing,” Senior Jonathan Wright said. Senior Bridget Wilkin said “I have learned so much more from him than I imagined possible.”
Mr. Bushey has toured the country with his choirs and has many former students now working professionally in music.
Though Mr. Bushey is retiring at the end of this school year, Howell High School has decided to keep that legacy going forever- dedicate part of the school to their All Star teacher.
“It’s going to be the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center which is an amazing testament to what he’s brought to the kids,” Superintendent Erin MacGregor said.
That dedication happens in May with a concert with all his alumni- scheduled to mark the occasion. But, until then Mr. Bushey says he’s going to enjoy every last day of teaching.
“This school has allowed me to build that dream, this school system has allowed me to do what I wanted to do for the choral program here,” he said.
We want to know who you think should be honored as our next Ann Marie’s All Star. Email submissions too head to Annmarie.laflamme@wxyz.com and tell us who’s going above and beyond in your community.
