By Casey Curtis
Leader Staff Writer
While teaching music at Brandon schools in 1965, Lew Wilson stumbled upon a comment that hasn’t left his mind since.
‘Parents were saying I was doing more counseling with the kids than the counselor was doing,? said the 62-year-old.
That comment was the beginning of a lifelong career dedicated to directing students in music, and in their futures.
But now, the career that brought so much education and lifelong friendships to Wilson will be over in June. Wilson, a guidance counselor at Oxford High School, will be retiring after 40 years in public education, 36 of which were spent in Oxford.
Although he didn’t start counseling right away, Wilson came to the Oxford school district in 1969 with a promising career in teaching band and choir at the junior high.
‘It was the best thing that ever happened to me,? he said. ‘I don’t think I could’ve asked for anything better.?
Amidst teaching band, choir, directing drama, church choir, and marching band, among other things, Wilson somehow found time in 1986 to counsel students part-time. He has had ten years of strictly counseling during his 25 years at OHS.
Now that Wilson will be getting a much needed break, he plans on spending time finishing building and landscaping his house in Ludington with his wife, of 40 years, Yvonne. He also plans on doing a lot of canoeing, kayaking, and white water rafting. And, of course, he also plans on spending time with his two daughters, Keri and Kristi, and his four grandchildren.
Although the time to relax seems heavenly right now, Wilson said there are a lot of things he’s going to miss about his job, like the kids, the staff, and being involved.
His advice for people looking to get into the counseling field is to realize the amazing opportunity in encouraging kids to do better in school.
‘I always tell (the kids) there’s always this one door for everybody and it says ‘fast food?,? he said. ‘I think my purpose is to show them that if they work hard in school, they will have more than this one door.?
Wilson said that when he looks back at his career, he is most proud of the continued connection he has with his past students. Every August, he organizes a canoe trip reunion with former students.
‘We’ve had a lot of successes in (band) competitions because I’ve had a lot of talented hard workers who have made a lot of sacrifices,? he said.
Along with the staff and students at OHS, Wilson would like to thank his musical accompanist, Millie Solon, for being a big supporter of his throughout the years. ‘She’s one terrific friend,? he said.
The staff at OHS will be organizing a farewell party for Lew Wilson on Thursday, June 9 from 2-4 p.m. at the high school. There is no charge to enter and the public is welcome to come and celebrate Lew’s career.