Ken Guenter, a teacher at Caronport High School, is retiring after 35 years of service. June 23 was his last day of classes.

Deborah Ike, CHS's principal, read a tribute to Guenter at CHS graduation ceremonies June 12:

"At CHS, we’re privileged to be surrounded by people who invest deeply in our school—our students, their parents and relatives, and our teachers," Ike said. "Two of our teachers are retiring this year—two teachers whose investment has been profound—and lengthy. Tomorrow we will honour Mr. Frostad in our grad ceremony, and tonight we will honour Mr. Guenter. Between the two of them, they have invested 65 years of service in our school. I would like to invite Mr. and Mrs. Guenter to join me now as I share a short tribute to 'Uncle Ken.'

"When Mr. Guenter first came to Caronport, he wasn’t known as 'Mr.' or even as 'Uncle,' he was just known as Ken; he was in grade nine. His parents were missionaries in Africa, and it seems he found a second home here because he graduated first from CHS, and then from Briercrest College and Seminary. Following further degree work at the University of Saskatchewan, and believing he could invest even more deeply in the work in Caronport, he and his new wife, Mrs. Guenter, returned to work at CHS in 1972. And the rest is, literally—and figuratively—history.

"Mr. Guenter has shared a joint teaching assignment in his time in our schools, spending part of his life teaching O.T., Ancient Near Eastern, and Greek and Roman history in our college, and a variety of subjects in the high school. Although he has become most famous at CHS for his remarkable art courses, he has taught Social Studies, Christian Ethics, PE and even—though he assures me, only once—English.

"A hallmark of his senior art classes has been his love of pottery; for Mr. Guenter, pottery is more than an art form—it is a mirror image of the way the Lord works with and molds His people. It is, in some ways, an act of worship. Mr. Guenter found this unique passion while studying ancient pottery forms as part of an archaeology course at Wilfred Laurier University in 1976. Since then, he has molded and shaped the lives of students while working with stubborn clay on his potter’s wheel. And we will forever be shaped as a school by his work in our lives.

"Mr. Guenter, like his sons after him, is a true Renaissance man—he is a gifted academic, an accomplished artist, and an enthusiastic sportsman. If you’ve read the recently published Caronport High School Magazine, you will have seen the article on Jordan Rempel, a CHS alumnus who is now a Saskatchewan Roughrider; Jordan pays tribute to the foundation he received at our high school, a significant part of which related to his time as a Cougar athlete on our football team. For many years, Mr. Guenter has been an avid supporter of our athletics program, coaching in our basketball, hockey, and football programs. And what does he love most about football? It’s being with the guys—with all the fear and joy and pain and glory; and passing the ball.

"Ultimately, however, despite Mr. Guenter’s significant contribution to our programs, it is his investment in our people that has become his most lasting legacy: it’s his love of his students and his joy in growing their lives towards Christ. And for that—and for everything else—we thank the Lord 'in our every remembrance of you.'

"The good news is that although Mr. Guenter has officially retired from CHS, he is still teaching at Briercrest, so our students will have an opportunity to be in his classes if they join us after Grade 12. Also, Mr. Guenter is planning to be involved in our football program as we move into next year—so, gentlemen, keep training, and we’re looking forward to seeing you out on the field in a few short months."