Fort Craig community honors Pete Carter

By Matthew Stewart
of The Daily Times Staff

The Fort Craig School of Dynamic Learning community came together Friday to honor “a shining star.”

The school’s parents, faculty and alumni collectively organized the event to honor Principal Pete Carter who is retiring from his administrative position this year. State Sen. Raymond Finney, R-Maryville, presented Carter with a proclamation recognizing his hard work, the event’s coordinator Nicole Shiver said. Maryville Mayor Joe Swann issued a proclamation declaring Friday to be Pete Carter Day in Maryville, Shiver said.

Swann and Maryville Director of Schools Stephanie Thompson could not attend the event Friday — they were attending a budget retreat at Dancing Bear Lodge — but they sent their best-wishes to Carter.

The celebration’s accolades were so numerous that Carter had to keep walking up and down the stage’s stairs, Shiver said. Every time he thought the celebration was finished more people and awards appeared, she said.

“(Carter) was very surprised — we tried to keep the celebration a secret,” Shiver said.
In addition to the two proclamations, Carter received many more tokens of appreciation. Army Major Jeff McCarter presented Carter with an American flag that flew last Sept. 11 at a military base in Afghanistan, Shiver said. McCarter has two children that attend Fort Craig, she said. He also wanted to thank Carter for the letters and support the school’s students have given his unit overseas, Shiver said.

Carter’s wife, Kim, made a surprise visit to his retirement celebration. Carter and his wife were informed the Compass House will be renamed Carter’s Compass House, and a plaque will be placed in his honor on the Compass House’s outside wall, Shiver said.

Parents, faculty, and alumni wanted to recognize Carter for his efforts to create the house.

“We wouldn’t even have it without all his hard work,” Shiver said.

Carter and his wife felt overwhelmed at this gesture and were both moved to tears, she said.

The Fort Craig School of Dynamic Learning community is one big family and they will miss Carter, Shiver said.

“We know everybody has a season and we feel we got his best,” she said.

“If he feels in his heart, it’s his time to retire then we wish him well. We want him to be happy, but we’ll be sad because we love him so much,” she said. “We look forward to what (Carter is) going to accomplish next, and we know the (Maryville City Schools) administration will do a wonderful job filling his shoes.”

Another reception, titled “The Tie that Binds: Pete Carter’s Retirement Celebration,” will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 2 at the Fort Craig School of Dynamic Learning. All family and friends are cordially invited to attend. For more details, please contact Kimberly Proffitt at 977-4105 or Cynthia Spitler at 681-6226.