Rice retires, Helmer steps down as athletic director
Kevin Rice, middle, has retired from the roles of English Teacher and Dean of Students at Silver Creek Central Schools after 29 years. He is pictured with Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston, left, and former Board of Education President Martha Howard, right.
Sean Helmer has stepped down as Silver Creek Athletic Director. He will return to the classroom full-time this upcoming year.
Kevin Rice, middle, has retired from the roles of English Teacher and Dean of Students at Silver Creek Central Schools after 29 years. He is pictured with Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston, left, and former Board of Education President Martha Howard, right.
Sean Helmer has stepped down as Silver Creek Athletic Director. He will return to the classroom full-time this upcoming year.
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SILVER CREEK -- After 29 years with the Silver Creek Central School District, serving in a variety of roles as a coach and an educator, Kevin Rice has elected to retire. The Board of Education accepted his resignation from the roles of English Teacher and Dean of Students at a recent meeting.
"That position will be replaced, but there are people who cannot be replaced, and Kevin Rice is one of those people," said Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston. "He is a voice that will not be forgotten."
Rice said in his letter of resignation, "I'm grateful for my 29 years with Silver Creek Central School District and the many opportunities I've had to serve our students and this community." Ralston said Rice is "someone who deserves all the best in retirement."
In addition to his roles during the school day, Rice spent many years as a Varsity Girls Soccer and Girls Basketball Coach at Silver Creek. He and his wife, Tammy, had the opportunity to coach their daughters, Abby and Emma, together in both soccer and basketball at Silver Creek. Emma Rice went on to play college soccer at Elmira College. Abby Rice graduated as Silver Creek's all-time leading scorer in basketball, and set the county scoring record at the time, before also playing at the next level.
Rice's impact on Silver Creek athletics was substantial. He was among the most influential members of the athletic department over the past decade. Moving forward, that same Silver Creek athletic department will have a new leader.
Sean Helmer has elected to step down from the role of Silver Creek Athletic Director. Helmer will remain as Varsity Football Head Coach as he returns to the classroom full-time while passing the torch as Athletic Director.
"Sean was a phenomenal Athletic Director – very well respected, not only in our district, but across the region and across the Section," Ralston said. "Sean is the leader and director that you want in everybody."
When Helmer first made his intention known, Forestville Athletic Director Scott Hazelton commended Helmer for his leadership in helping the districts combine sports programs with Forestville in recent years. Hazelton credits Helmer for being the reason that so many teams have been able to be shared between the districts.
"From the Forestville Central School District, I just want to say a huge thank you to Sean Helmer for what he's done for our kids," Hazelton said. "... Sean always opened the door for our student-athletes and made them feel very, very welcomed."
In Helmer's place, Jesse Hamms will serve as the new Athletic Director. Hamms is a Middle/High School Physical Education/Health Teacher at Silver Creek. He has also served as Varsity Girls Soccer Coach and Modified Girls and Boys Basketball Coach.
"I realize the fortunate position we're in to still have Sean in the district, working full-time, with Jesse able to learn from him," Ralston said. "We are very fortunate to have Jesse learn alongside him on a day-to-day basis."