Mahan honored for 65 years of serving Vina students meals and wisdom

With 65 years' experience working in the Vina High School cafeteria, Betty Mahan could have retired a long, long, long time ago. But time and time again, she chose to continue the job she loves.

Mahan, 95, finally decided to retire this year and her co-workers, Vina faculty, staff, alumni and students held a reception to honor Mahan Tuesday morning.

How do you thank someone for their 65 years of dedicated service at one job? Franklin County Superintendent of Education Greg Hamilton said finding the right words to describe his love and respect for Mahan was almost an impossible challenge.

But Hamilton, who taught, coached and served as assistant principal at Vina before he was elected as superintendent, tried his best at Tuesday's reception to describe the guest of honor.

“I had the pleasure of working with 'Mrs. Betty' 21 years. She's a fascinating woman and I love her,” Hamilton said. “There are so many stories and so many things she's taught me over the years. There is always something to learn because she has so much knowledge. She can tell you how many principals she worked for in 65 years and she remembers more about Vina than anyone I know.

“She loves Vina High School and I've never met anyone who worked as hard as she does. She's an icon of the Vina community,” he added.

By the way, the number of principals who have come and gone over Mahan's tenure is nine, along with four directors of the Child Nutrition Program and five superintendents.

A Vina native, Mahan was born in the community she would call her home for the next 95 years.

With a career spanning more than six decades, there have been some accolades for Mahan. In 2015, the Vina school cafeteria was dedicated in her honor. Four years ago, she was honored by the Alabama Child Nutrition Association for her 60-plus years of service.

For Vina teacher/coach Richie Hester and his students, Mahan is that special person they'll always remember when they've moved on from Vina High School.

“She means a lot to all of us—teachers, administration, students—everybody,” Hester said. “When you think about Vina School, especially our lunch program, you think about Mrs. Betty. She's always there to crack a joke and crack a smile.”