From left, retiring teachers Patti Harrold, Sally Ritter, Steve Bowlware, Saxon Vandagriff and Kay Moore pose for a photo at a reception at Edmond Memorial High School. Retiring teacher Tom Ward also was honored, but he was unable to attend the reception. [Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman]

EDMOND — Edmond Memorial High School celebrated six retiring educators last week, noting their many years of service to the Bulldog community. Colleagues, friends and family honored them in a ceremony in the school library on Wednesday. Their combined 166 years of service to the Edmond school district was noted as was their more than 200 years to education overall.

Ending their careers are Steve Bowlware, Patti Harrold, Kay Moore, Sally Ritter, Saxon Vandagriff and Tom Ward.

Memorial Principal Tony Rose noted the significance of the day.

"These are Memorial legends," Rose said. "The students love them and they're really going to be missed. They had a big impact here."