Holmes Principal Keeton retiring

Amid the clamor of parents and just-graduated fourth-graders milling through Holmes Elementary School's cafeteria, Mary Keeton greeted members of the crowd on her last day as the Spring Lake school's principal. Between fielding requests for pictures with students, Keeton explained that she will be turning 60 soon, and wanted to retire while she still had energy do other things. The biggest challenge she faced during her 14 years as the Holmes principal? "Letting it go,' she said.

Jordan Travis

Spring Lake

Jun 10, 2011

Prior to leading the elementary school where Young 5s through fourth-graders are taught, Keeton worked as a speech therapist in several West Michigan communities, including Fruitport and Muskegon, she said. She hopes to return to that job part-time.

Taking her place will be Sandra Smits, a fourth-grade teacher with 16 years of experience.

To read more of this story, see today’s print edition of the Grand Haven Tribune.