This year West is saying goodbye to two science staff members who will retire, Mr. Steve Swenson and Ms. Cynthia Miller-Hughes.

Swenson, who has predominantly taught earth science at West after a tenure at Brentwood, will spend most of his time working at the Eaton Groves landscaping and plant nursery where he worked before he became a teacher.

Swenson said his favorite part about teaching was “When students tell me after they graduate something that made a difference for them from my class.”

Swenson said he will miss the “ah-ha moments” that he got from students when learning a new subject.

Miller-Hughes has been an institution at West for the past 28 years. She has taught AP and IB Biology, Anatomy Physiology, Biology, and AVID during her time.

Miller-Hughes is looking forward to all the traveling that she is going to do. First on her list will be a trip to Spain. She will visit Camino de Santiago, a 500 mile walk through 15 different regions of Spain in memory of her son. She also has six grandchildren who she is planning on spending time with and even volunteering at their schools.

Miller-Hughes said, “West is the best and will continue to be the best with the students and teachers we have here.”