Cape Region bids "Stell' a fond, fair adieu

After 33 years of breaking down racial and sexual barriers in the Cape Henlopen School District, Selby decided to call it quits at the end of the 2003-2004 school year. “I’m going to sleep late for a while,” said Selby during her speech at the reception. “Children will always be a priority in my life, but I’m going to have some fun.”

Selby, who was raised in the Lewes and Milton area, began her career teaching at H.O. Brittingham Elementary School in the summer of 1965, while on summer break from Delaware State University.

Following her graduation, Selby returned to the area permanently, where she was employed by Rehoboth Elementary School as a special education teacher. Over the course of the next 15 years, Selby taught every grade, K-9, offered at Rehoboth.

In 1986, Selby transferred to Cape Henlopen High School, where her position as Social Studies teacher made her the first female and African American in the department.

Following an internship at Shields Elementary in Lewes, Selby was named assistant principal at Cape high, breaking down another wall as the first female and African American person to become an administrator in the Cape district.

This experience led to Selby returning to Rehoboth to become vice principal and eventually principal at the elementary school. During the 1996-1997 school year, Selby took her only leave of absence from the Cape school district, heading north to take a position at the Capital School District, before returning to Cape the following year.

Since 1999, Selby has worked from the district office as acting supervisor of personnel and as supervisor of student services and mentoring. Selby has had a hand in creating the Host Mentoring program as well as the implementing of the first Families And Schools Together (FAST) program in the district.

Somehow, Selby also found time to run for state senator in the 2002 election year versus Democratic candidate Thurman G. Adams Jr.

These were just some of the accomplishments that family, friends, colleagues and students toasted at the event for the retiring educator.

Following a couple of original songs by Selby family friend Jimmy Allen, host Jackie Artis invited anyone who wanted to speak to come to the podium for their two minutes. A steady stream of well-wishers obliged, including Selby’s mother and brother, Attorney General Jane Brady, former Cape school district superintendent James Wilson, Clerk of the Peace candidate George Parrish and many others.

While some chose to do a traditional speech, others gave a more creative congratulations. Local chanteuse Peggy Raley of Nassau Valley Vineyards gave an impromptu rendition of “Over the Rainbow”, while Leonia Robinson read a handwritten poem that evolved into a sing-along in the last verse.

Mona Selby, Esthelda’s mother, may have been one of the few speakers to stick to her time limit. “I won’t say much because when I start, I can’t stop,” said Mona. “But I told her to cut her phone line now because it’s been ringing non-stop for 33 years, and she needs some peace and quiet.”
Longtime friend Noble Prettyman also praised Selby’s work ethic. “She walked the walk as an educator,” said Prettyman. “She’s one of the few who has stayed and given back to the community.”

Following the reflections, Rep. George Carey, R-Milford, read a tribute from the House of Representatives that had been dedicated to Selby’s long term service to the community.

As Selby came to the podium to address the crowd, the audience rose to its feet for a standing ovation. “I came from quality and high standards in my family and education,” said Selby. “I was taught to hate no one, because we have to make this world a better place for all ages, races and sizes.”

As the evening began winding down, it was time for Selby to don her Tina Turner costume to lead a backing band through renditions of “Proud Mary”, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and the Beatles’ “Let It Be”. The serious stuff was over and it was time to have some fun.

August 10, 2004