Audie Henneman, center, is flanked by (L to R) Deputy Superintendent Michael Harrigan, Superintendent Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Commissioner Sharon Ann McCollum, Ph.D., and Principal Carver Farrow.
Virgin Islands Department of Education officials, family members, friends, and former and current employees of the Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School (BCB) filled the school’s cafeteria at 8 a.m. on March 18 for a special ceremony to dedicate the school’s gymnasium in honor of longtime BCB physical education teacher and coach, Audie Enrique Henneman.
The joyous occasion was the culmination of a process that began in 2012 when the 29th Legislature, through nomination from former Commissioner of Sports, Parks & Recreation Stanley Smith, authorized the BCB gymnasium be named in Mr. Henneman’s honor. Mr. Henneman, who was employed with the Department of Education for more than three decades, retired on August 31, 2011. During his time at BCB, he earned a solid reputation as a caring, dedicated, and disciplined educator who brought out the best in both his students and his colleagues.
During heartfelt remarks from many in attendance, Mr. Henneman could be seen at times showing emotion as he looked on from the audience. The multi-talented athlete was praised for his prowess in basketball, baseball, volleyball, tennis and other sports. Mr. Henneman was also credited for expanding the school’s popular Lunch League, which was instrumental in easing tensions among students during the lunch period.
When it was his turn to take the podium, Mr. Henneman, 60, reminisced on his years as a teacher, coach and summer camp counselor.
“It was so much fun. I traveled to a lot of places and met a lot of people through sports,” he said. He credited his success to his parents, his children and former colleagues, including former BCB principal, Liston Davis.
Education Commissioner Sharon Ann McCollum, Ph.D., pointed out that she learned a great deal from Mr. Henneman during her time as a teacher at BCB in the early 80s.
“I learned the value of classroom management, the value of conversation, the depth of showing love and what discipline must be in the lives of our students,” she said. Commissioner McCollum also noted the importance of showing appreciation, encouraging Mr. Henneman to “bask in the glory and shine in the honor of the day.” She called him “a legend of your own time” and assured him that his “life lessons will live on and on.”
St. Thomas-St. John Superintendent of Schools Dionne Wells-Hedrington’s remarked that Mr. Henneman could be described with words such as dedicated, masterpiece, original legend, mentor, passionate and disciplinarian—sentiments that were echoed by many during the two-hour program. Carver Farrow, BCB principal, also lauded Mr. Henneman for the impact he made on Farrow’s life and career during the more than 20 years they worked at the school together.
Merida Gumbs provided entertainment with a solo rendition of a song about Mr. Henneman’s uniqueness. BCB’s Flambo Combo performed opening and closing numbers featuring traditional quelbe music. The school’s choir performed the National Anthem, Virgin Islands March, and the school song.
