ORWELL — Some sad news has come to Grand Valley High School this week. Joy Leirer, Grand Valley High School choir director of many years, has announced that she will not be teaching the high school choir in the coming years. As you may know, her husband, Jim Leirer, was diagnosed with cancer last year and it has been very hard on her to do all the things she does for the Music Department and help her husband when he needs it.
Mrs. Leirer is very active in the Orwell community. She plays piano for St. Mary Church Choir, is the director of the M&M;’s and the show choir (which have now merged together) and plays the music for the school musicals.
“She is an excellent music teacher and it will be sad to see her go, but it gives another person the chance to work with such a great choir. She does an amazing job, but it also takes kids that are willing to work hard on the songs and their singing technique to get the concerts to sound so good. It will be a major change, but I can’t see it as a bad one. Terrible things happen but it gives us the chance to refresh ourselves. Hopefully this will be a change for the better,” says Jackie Miller, junior.
When asked how she felt about it, senior, Hope Krieg said, “I think it’s very sad, but knowing what’s going on in her life it’s the best thing for everyone. She is the most amazing person ever and I’m glad we had her!”
Leirer has been very influential on many people. “Singing has always been a big part of my life and throughout my life it has become even bigger because of Mrs. Leirer,” said junior Annette Ware. “She has introduced so many different ways to sing from different cultures and time periods. I’m going to miss her but I know she means well and I respect her decision to leave and will treat whomever she has to replace her with the same respect.”
“I am going to miss her so much,” said senior Sami Davis. “She is like a mother to me and she brings a great vibe to any room she is in.”
“I may have not had her for every year, but she is one of the greatest teachers here. She is extremely friendly and will always bring a smile to your face,” said senior Jessica Michalski.
It goes to show that Leirer will be missed in the high school.
Leirer, however, is not leaving the school entirely. She will be replacing Alan Purdum as the elementary school teacher after he retires next year. We won’t be without Leirer’s “joy”ous personality entirely! Everyone wishes her the best and will miss her, but are confident that she will leave her choir in the hands of someone that she believes is capable of doing great things.
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Grand Valley teacher has shared joy of music with community for many years
Grand Valley High School with SIERA HOLLEY & NICHOLE BUBER
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