A retiring chorus teacher at Sandy Creek High School got a send-off to remember last Saturday. Over 70 of Millie Turek's former students, many of whom now work, attend college or live outside Georgia, surprised her with a tribute concert they had planned for months in secret.
“It was totally an amazing surprise,” said Turek, who taught at the Tyrone school for 19 years and served as chair of its Fine Arts Department. “To have all those students from all those years come back and sing together…I didn’t think I would have the chance to conduct them again. They came from everywhere, from all parts of the country. That’s something I’ll never forget.”
Turek’s former students began planning the secret tribute in February, said Christina Justice Sullivan, who currently studies music education at Clayton State University.
“It started off as an email, and then became a Facebook page, and then turned into over 300 students and parents wanting to show Ms. Turek how much she was loved.”
From March to June, students met on weekends to practice selected songs. They also created special T-shirts, secured Sandy Creek’s auditorium, and spread the word to the community, all while keeping the plan a secret from Turek.
In the end, their work paid off, Sullivan said. Former students came from places as far away as California, New York, North Carolina, and Texas, successfully surprising their old teacher.
“More people turned out than I ever imagined would,” Sullivan said. “I was really pleased with the people who showed how much they loved her and how much she changed their lives by being a chorus teacher.”
She added, “She’s literally one of the best music educators in the state. Even my professors [at Clayton State] know how important she is to high schools, and to the music world. I’m just glad we were able to show her that.”
Turek commented, “It was a great way to end a career in public education. I was just really grateful to the parents and the students who put it together.”
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