Published in Uncaged December 2025

by Elio Wells, Reporter

On Monday, December 8th, the Stockbridge High School Choir performed at the school board meeting to honor two retiring board members: Kary Gee and Cindy Lance.

Kary Gee has served on the school board for twelve years and originally joined because she wanted to see the school bring back the agriculture program.

“When I graduated in 1987, the ag program was about done with its very low enrollment but I knew how important it was for our kids to learn what the program had to teach,” Gee said.

Gee has chosen to retire because her parents are aging and she is training the next generation to take on her duties at her family farm, as well as because her husband has retired and would like to travel.

Similarly, Cindy Lance has served on the board for sixteen years with the goal of ensuring that every child educated at Stockbridge Community Schools has the same opportunity for a bright future after getting their high school diploma, as well as to provide a safe and welcoming place for kids to learn and grow.

“The best gift we can ever give a child is safety, inclusion, and an education,” Lance said.

When asked why she decided to retire, Lance said, “My youngest child Isaac is a Junior at MSU, and I feel that someone with children in the district should help to guide the future of SCS. I want to explore other ways to give back to the community we love so much.”

Teagan Patterson, a sophomore and member of the high school choir, shared about her experience performing at the board meeting, saying, “It was cool, I enjoyed it.”

Waiting for our last person to show up was a little stressful and nerve-wracking, but otherwise I had fun.”

According to Mr. Gilbey, the choir director and vocal music teacher for Stockbridge Community Schools, many board members and people who attended the board meeting were impressed with the high school choir’s performance. Gee and Lance complimented the choir similarly.

“The choir last night brought tears to my eyes and made me wonder if I was really ready to go,” Gee said.

See Uncaged on page 17.

“It brings me so much joy to see you kids and the amazing things you are accomplishing, and to think I may have had a small hand in your futures.”

“The choir was just absolutely amazing,” Lance said. “My oldest daughter sang in the choir from middle school through high school, and the arts—band, choir, and Mr. Langone’s art studies—have always held a special place in my heart.”

Published as-is from the original page in Uncaged. For more information about Stockbridge’s award-winning student newspaper, go to https://uncagednews.com. Uncaged articles are sponsored by The Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation. For more information on SAEF, visit www.panthernet.net/our district.