District Honors Hunt's 41 Years of Service to Pickens County

The community gathered at the new Pickens County Career and Technology Center Sunday afternoon to say thank you to Dr. Henry Hunt, who is retiring this month after 41 years in the School District of Pickens County.

“This afternoon I have the privilege of representing the School District of Pickens County in honoring and thanking Dr. Hunt,” said incoming Superintendent Dr. Kelly Pew. “Through your years as a teacher, a school administrator and district administrator, you never demanded our respect.

“Instead, you modeled professionalism, humility, wisdom, fairness, and genuine concern for children and your fellow man, and you earned our respect,” Pew continued.

As a token of the district's respect, Hunt was given a crystal globe enscribed with the words, “You changed the world.”

“As a teacher and administrator, you have changed the world by changing the lives of so many in the School District of Pickens County,” Pew said. “You're leaving a legacy of courage, wisdom and care for employees.

Hunt's legacy is one of “support and excellence for the children of this county,” Pew said.

“And we thank you,” Pew told Hunt. “Dr. Hunt, we will miss you – your smile, your calm demeanor, your words of wisdom and your commitment to doing what is right.”

Rosanne Morris, secretary to the Superintendent and Board Clerk, presented Hunt with a scrapbook.

“It's a collection of photographs throughout your career,” she said. “It's also a collection of letters from employees and former employees. We hopes it's a keepsake for you, so you can look back on your career, and we wish you well in your retirement.

Members of the Pickens County Legislative Delegation presented Hunt with a resolution from the SC Legislature, congratulating Hunt “on a job well done.”

“Henry and I go back a long way,” said Sen. Larry Martin. “I was among his first students. It's a real pleasure to be here today to recognize and honor you.”

After leaving the army, Hunt began his career in Pickens County while still in graduate school. He began his career in Dacusville in 1971.

“During this time, he discovered he enjoyed teaching children math, and one of his first students was a Sen. Larry Martin, a young ninth-grader,” the resolution reads.

While teaching, Hunt earned degrees from Clemson University, including a Master's degree in Administration and Supervision and a PH.D in Educational Leadership.

During his career, Hunt taught at Dacusville Junior High, Dacusville High School, Dacusville Elementary, A.R. Lewis Elementary, Martin said.

Hunt served as principal of Crosswell Elementary and West End Elementary during his career, Martin said.

He was named a district-level administrator in 2000, serving as Assistant Superintendent to Administration and District Ombudsman before becoming Superintendent in 2009.

The resolution names Hunt as one of “South Carolina's most capable public servants.”

Hunt said his 41 years in the district “have all been enjoyable years.”

“We all in our career and our work have those pleasurable moments we remember and we remember some that are not so pleasurable,” he said. “Thankfully, the good ones far outweigh the others. When you think back those that were a little difficult, you can look back on them and say, 'We learned something from those.'”

He thanked all his colleagues who had made his career enjoyable and challenged them to continue “the good work here in Pickens County.”

“I think we have one of the best, if not the best, school districts in the state,” Hunt said. “Thank you for that, and thank you all for letting me share in that. Thank you for a wonderful career.”