- C
- S
- A
On June 27, 2015, our community will gather together to celebrate the joint retirement of Jim and Margie Paynton from the field of music education, where they have amassed a combined 72 years of dedicated ministry to their students.
The Payntons have some exciting travel plans in the works for their retirement. Already they have a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands scheduled for the fall of 2015. They also dream of a pipe organ tour of Europe, the warm shores of Tahiti, and much more time onboard the family boat . In light of the Payntons' many accomplishments and years of service, we hope to make as many of these dreams come true as possible.
In lieu of a gift, we ask you to consider making a monetary donation to the couple to thank them for their dedication to their students and community. Let's send them into retirement in style! All donations accepted through GoFundMe will be presented as a personal gift to be received at their retirement party.
Coming Soon: Check back later for links to make a gift to Kennedy band scholarship fund in honor of Jim or Margie, and to purchase class slideshows, the band retreat video, or organ performance CDs.
We hope to see you on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 1 PM in the Kennedy Catholic High School Cafeteria to celebrate Jim and Margie.
About Margie
Margie's music education career dates to her entrance to the University of Washington, when she began giving piano lessons to fund her education. She earned double Bachelor degrees in Organ Performance and Music Education in 1976 and 1977. Her professional teaching career started in earnest in 1983 when she joined the staff at Our Lady of Guadalupe in West Seattle, where she developed the music curriculum and began choir and handbell groups. In 1993, Margie moved to the Highline School District where she remains until retirement, teaching at Salmon Creek and McMicken Heights schools initially, and Shorewood Elementary beginning in 1998. At Shorewood, she served on the building design committee and had significant input in the creation of the music space in the new school building. In a parallel career, Margie has served as the church organist, choir director, and subsequently Minister of Music at University Baptist Church since 1976. She became an ordained American Baptist Minister in 2010.
About Jim
After the University of Washington's Navy ROTC program discovered his colorblindness, Jim walked across campus and signed up to be a music major. Jim earned his double Bachelor degrees in Clarinet Performance and Music Education in 1976. He actually began his teaching career part time in the fall of 1975 at O'Dea High School, where he was only a few years older than his seniors. At O'Dea, Jim eventually taught a little bit of everything, including English, Religion, World History, Algebra, Health, Glee Club, and Band. In the fall of 1979, Jim joined the teaching staff at Kennedy Catholic High School, focusing exclusively on music and math. His successful orchestra program began in 2007, 32 years into his teaching career. Jim was honored as Music Teacher of the Year in 2008 by the Soundview Music Educators Association. In addition to his 40 year career in Seattle area Catholic Schools, Jim served as Music Director at St. James Cathedral from 1975 to 1980.
The Payntons have some exciting travel plans in the works for their retirement. Already they have a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands scheduled for the fall of 2015. They also dream of a pipe organ tour of Europe, the warm shores of Tahiti, and much more time onboard the family boat . In light of the Payntons' many accomplishments and years of service, we hope to make as many of these dreams come true as possible.
In lieu of a gift, we ask you to consider making a monetary donation to the couple to thank them for their dedication to their students and community. Let's send them into retirement in style! All donations accepted through GoFundMe will be presented as a personal gift to be received at their retirement party.
Coming Soon: Check back later for links to make a gift to Kennedy band scholarship fund in honor of Jim or Margie, and to purchase class slideshows, the band retreat video, or organ performance CDs.
We hope to see you on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 1 PM in the Kennedy Catholic High School Cafeteria to celebrate Jim and Margie.
About Margie
Margie's music education career dates to her entrance to the University of Washington, when she began giving piano lessons to fund her education. She earned double Bachelor degrees in Organ Performance and Music Education in 1976 and 1977. Her professional teaching career started in earnest in 1983 when she joined the staff at Our Lady of Guadalupe in West Seattle, where she developed the music curriculum and began choir and handbell groups. In 1993, Margie moved to the Highline School District where she remains until retirement, teaching at Salmon Creek and McMicken Heights schools initially, and Shorewood Elementary beginning in 1998. At Shorewood, she served on the building design committee and had significant input in the creation of the music space in the new school building. In a parallel career, Margie has served as the church organist, choir director, and subsequently Minister of Music at University Baptist Church since 1976. She became an ordained American Baptist Minister in 2010.
About Jim
After the University of Washington's Navy ROTC program discovered his colorblindness, Jim walked across campus and signed up to be a music major. Jim earned his double Bachelor degrees in Clarinet Performance and Music Education in 1976. He actually began his teaching career part time in the fall of 1975 at O'Dea High School, where he was only a few years older than his seniors. At O'Dea, Jim eventually taught a little bit of everything, including English, Religion, World History, Algebra, Health, Glee Club, and Band. In the fall of 1979, Jim joined the teaching staff at Kennedy Catholic High School, focusing exclusively on music and math. His successful orchestra program began in 2007, 32 years into his teaching career. Jim was honored as Music Teacher of the Year in 2008 by the Soundview Music Educators Association. In addition to his 40 year career in Seattle area Catholic Schools, Jim served as Music Director at St. James Cathedral from 1975 to 1980.