After 21? years of sharing the magical gift of music with Oxford students, Margaret Payne is retiring.
But before she hits her final note and takes that last bow, former students Lisa Jakuszeski and Katie (Fischer) Cudnohufski wish to pay tribute to Payne with photos and a farewell song at her last high school choir concert from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24 in the Performing Arts Center (PAC).
‘She’s been such a great mentor to all of her students,? said Jakuszeski, a 2000 graduate of OHS. ‘It’s sad to see her leaving the district, but I hope she enjoys her retirement.?
Payne is the choir director for both the high school and middle school. She also works as theater manager for the PAC.
‘She was probably the first person who recognized my talent for singing,? said Cudnohufski, also a 2000 OHS graduate. ‘She still inspires me.?
Cudnohufski and Jakuszeski were the president and vice president of the OHS Varsity Choir back in 2000.
Both met Payne when she was a music teacher at Clear Lake Elementary and both were ‘encouraged? by her to join the choir in sixth grade.
The young ladies wish to take Payne on a stroll down memory lane by presenting a special slide show depicting her years in the district from teaching at various elementary schools to molding singers at the middle school and high school.
‘If anyone has any pictures, they can give us a call,? Jakuszeski said.
The ladies are also putting the call out to all choir alumni to attend Payne’s final concert and sing ‘one last song together? for her.
From ‘coming to all of our open houses when we graduated? to ‘talking to us about things going on in our lives,? Jakuszeski said Payne was always pretty close with her students, often treating them as if they were her own children.
‘She kind of stuck in our hearts,? she said. ‘She’s just a great lady. Everyone loves her.?
Payne is ‘absolutely? the reason Cudnohufski is now a music teacher and choir director at St. Joseph Parish School in Lake Orion.
‘She really gave me the confidence to go to school to become a music major and to become a choir director,? she said. ‘She still helps me in my teaching career. She’s always there to help me when I need it, even now when she doesn’t have to be.?
Choir alumni wishing to attend the May 24 high school concert or anyone with photos of Payne and her students is encouraged to call Jakuszeski at (248) 252-8579 or Cudnohufski at (248) 802-7782.
An article honoring Payne’s teaching career will appear in next week’s Leader.