Beckley, WV (WOAY) On the afternoon of Friday, June the raleigh county SOLID waste authority held a retirement party for their long-beloved director of education, sherrie hunter, honoring her for 25 years of dedication to the community…
Newswatch went to the celebration to ask what it has meant to hunter to serve and educate generations of local students.
Since 2001, Sherrie Hunter has spent much of her time as Director of Education at the Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority promoting environmental awareness as well as anti-littering and recycling initiatives, and inspiring countless local students to be better stewards of their environment and community.
Hunter explained the great thing about the tours of the landfill and recycling center she has taken so many students on over the years:
“The students see the trash being burned in the landfill, but then they get to the recycling center, and they see what needs to be recycled. It’s like, now you can make a difference, one little milk jug at a time.”
Reflecting on her career and the people she’s worked with, Hunter was overflowing with gratitude.
“I have worked with the most incredible people for 24 years and nine months. It’s just every day I’ve come through that gate, I have said, ‘lord, thank you for letting me be in this place.’ …When you love what you do, you do not work a day in your life. These are happy tears. These aren’t sad tears. These are happy tears for the board allowing me to be that messenger for multiple schools and multiple counties…”
Family, friends, coworkers, and many members of the community attended the celebration Friday afternoon. Although he couldn’t make it, even the governor wanted to let hunter know what her work has meant.
As read from the governor’s statement:
“Be it hereby known that Sherrie A. Hunter has been awarded a certificate of appreciation for 25 years of dedicated and outstanding service to the Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority and the Citizens of the great state of West Virginia. Given under my hand and the lesser seal of the state of West Virginia, 20th of June in the Year of our Lord 2026, Patrick Morrissey, Governor.”
Hunter showed her endless dedication, even up to her last day on the job.
“They called, and they said, ‘I wanted the tour,’ and I said, ‘I’m retiring,’ and they said, ‘we wanted to come on June 26th,’ and I said, ‘that’s my last day, and we’re going to do it.’ …It was a really wonderful moment to be with those kids. And that’s really a God wink, isn’t it?”
Though this chapter is ending, Hunter says she still plans to remain active in the Beckley City Council and community organizations. Though she will miss her old job, Hunter is hopeful that she and the young people she educated will leave a lasting impact on the community, and the Earth.
“Good things must come to an end. But I’m hopeful that we have educated this generation and the next generation to be mindful and to take care of mother earth.”
