Board of education members, board office employees and friends gathered at Ryderﾒs restaurant Thursday to honor and bid farewell to Superintendent Dr. J. Patrick Law.

Law gave a short speech about his seven years in the Pocahontas County school system.

ﾓI really appreciate the opportunity to be your superintendent for the last seven years, itﾒs been a great time,ﾔ he said. ﾓThis is a unique and wonderful place and thereﾒs no place else like it. It is a very good school system. I found it that way when I came and I hope Iﾒm leaving it that way as I leave.ﾔ

Law added that the success of the students and the school system is due to the dedication of everyone involved: the board, the board office, the principals, teachers and students.

ﾓAbout a year ago the state superintendent came and announced to all the superintendents that the fastest improving county in the state of West Virginia over the last few years was Pocahontas County,ﾔ he said. ﾓThatﾒs not my doing, thatﾒs all the people involved. I appreciate what youﾒve done to help me and help the students of this county.

ﾓI want to ask you to support each other and to continue what you are doing because this really is a great place,ﾔ he concluded.

Board president Kenneth Vance presented Law with a plaque to honor his time in Pocahontas County.

Alice Irvine, Associate Superintendent for Operations and Treasurer, presented Law with a photo collage of Pocahontas County, a gift from the board office employees.

Vance also recognized board members Ruth Taylor and Thomas VanReenen for their dedication to the school system and the students of Pocahontas County during their time on the board.