2 minute read
Outta here
Outta here Carlson, Melillo to retire
By Matthew Shanbom, Editor-in-Chief
Advertisement
After a combined 88 years of experience in education, English teacher Sandra Melillo and Assistant Principal Lori Carlson will be retiring. Including other retirements, job changes, leaves and deaths, eight members of the faculty that started the year will not return in 2021-22.
Carlson began her career as a music teacher across several schools before returning to her alma mater in 1983, two years before the school closed.
“The school was smaller and there was talk about a closing,” Carlson said. “There was a feeling (of shock) … you really couldn’t close a hometown high school.”
Following the school’s closure, Carlson transferred to Northeast, where she met Melillo.
Carlson eventually returned in April 2008 as an assistant principal, responsible for the logistical side of the school including creating the master schedule, analyzing testing data and organizing teacher planning week.
“I just loved the school that Pompano Beach High School had become the shining school on the hill,” Carlson said.
Melillo had come at the start of that school year, August 2007. In addition to teaching English, she has taught TV production, advised the National Honor Society and even sponsored the senior class.
“Everything went great that senior year,” Melillo said. “I mean, we didn’t have any incidents at the prom, you know, and Grad Bash. ... I said I’m never doing this again.”
Among Melillo’s fondest memories from her time at the school are the faculty talent shows.
“I have them all on tape,” Melillo said. “They’re pretty funny.”
Both Carlson and Melillo plan for a relaxing retirement.
“I have three grandchildren,” Carlson said. “I love spending time with them, so that’s going to be a priority.”
Melillo plans to continue her hobby of collecting and eventually selling some of those items on eBay.
“We are going to have to go through our warehouses and clean up the house,” Melillo said.
Even though the past year has been stressful, Carlson remains optimistic.
“A year from now I don’t know exactly what I’ll be doing,” Carlson said. “I know for sure I’m going to have fun doing it and having a positive attitude because that’s my plan.”
Faculty members Andrew Shipe, William Strachan, Sandra Melillo, Lara Graves, Ann Wilson and Kristin Clark sing and dance on the stage during the faculty show in 2013.
Sandra Melillo ascends the climbing net during a faculty bonding exercise in 2011. Assistant Principal Lori Carlson sings on stage during a faculty show. Assistant Principal Lori Carlson and English teacher Sandra Melillo sing together on stage during a faculty show.
