Brookhaven Elementary School students and faculty didn’t wanttheir beloved principal to retire quietly, so at a reception onMonday they gave Pam Fearn the chance to go out doing something shedoes best.

“The best way for me to leave – because if I say too much I’mgoing to cry – is to leave the way I probably got to this district24 years ago,” she said. “I’m going to dance.”

So Fearn and several other administrators did a farewell danceto the song “Bye Bye Bye” by late 90s boy band NSync.

But before the group started cutting a rug, teachers,administrators and students took the opportunity to throw aschool-wide surprise party for Fearn, complete with cake andballoons and presents.

“It’s very hard for me to say anything, but I can tell you Ibegged her to stay,” said Assistant Principal Delores Gearing. “Shewouldn’t listen.”

Students presented her with a book of letters from her students,as well as a plaque, several other gifts and a stuffed panther toalways remind her “once a panther, always a panther.”

Lead teacher Sharon Holmes read a tribute to Fearn’s 30 years inthe field of education, thanking her for her leadership through thegood and bad times. She told of times at BES when Fearn headed upbook parades and water gun fights, tricycle racing andskateboarding in the halls, Christmas caroling and “a lot of toiletpaper on a lot of lawns.”

But even with an atmosphere of fun, Holmes said, Fearn’s tenurewas one of academic excellence.

“Her schools always excelled in math and reading, and they werealways the leader of the other schools in test scores,” she said,then directing her remarks to Fearn and the audience of BESstudents.

“You always loved us, God, your church, your husband, yourchildren, your family. But boys and girls, most of all, she’s lovedyou,” she said. “Show her just how far you can go in thisworld.”

Fearn has been the principal at BES for six years and isretiring with 30 years in education. Gearing will step into herrole as principal, and be Mamie Martin lead teacher Sonya Fosterwill take Gearing’s place as assistant principal.

Lipsey Middle School Principal Lorraine Carey and AssistantPrincipal Kim Wand are also retiring this year, and current MamieMartin Elementary Assistant Principal Rob McCreary will takeCarey’s place, and Brookhaven High School special education teacherand assistant football coach Trevor Brister will take the assistantposition.