'Blessed' Janelle Williams honored after 58 years teaching at W.F. West
Nearly two hours into her appreciation dinner, Janelle Williams was asked to do the very thing she had trained over 900 students to do during her 58 years at W.F. West High School - give a speech.
"You never give a speech sitting down," Ed Lintott, the event's host, reminded her.
The longtime forensics coach stood, surrounded by about five dozen former students who had come from near and far to honor their teacher, mentor, coach and friend.
Williams began by summing up her career in one word: blessed.
"I didn't know what I was getting into, I don't think," Williams said. "I didn't know all the way along the way whether I was doing it right. I was just doing it, sort of, by the seat of my pants. I was lucky to have so many people help me."
The retiring Williams added that she was blessed to work with everyone in the room.
"I don't think I would've done it any differently. I don't know how to do it any differently. But I'm glad it made a difference," Williams said.
Her speech, one minute long, was met with a standing ovation.
The event, held at The Quincy in downtown Chehalis, began at 6 p.m., Friday, April 24, with a social hour and meet-and-greet, followed by dinner and dessert.
Robert Lintott, Ed Lintott's son and the keynote speaker, traveled from Washington D.C. to honor his "beloved" teacher.
Lintott described Williams, known affectionately by many as "Yola," as a parent figure, a "stern and needed critic," an enthusiastic supporter and a "voice of levity in our lives."
"She created opportunities for all of us that we otherwise would not have had," Lintott said. "She fought on our behalf to receive funding and support from the school district, and made sure that we broadened our horizons beyond Lewis County - both physically and mentally. If we could not go out and explore the world and its ideas, she brought them to us."
Williams grew up in Winlock and attended Central Washington University. She began her career as a librarian and teacher at W.F. West in 1968, and would go on to lead decades of award-winning forensics students, while spending time as vice president and president of the local teacher's union.
As a trustee for the Timberland Regional Library, Williams "led a fight against unconstitutional censorship" that resulted in her becoming both a pariah to some and winner of the "trustee of the year" award from the Washington State Library Association, according to Lintott.
"She forced us to engage with the English language in a way that made us better citizens," Lintott said.
Chehalis Mayor Tony Ketchum, a 1974 graduate of W.F. West, read a city resolution recognizing Williams' career and impact at the high school, which included more awards for the forensics program than any other sports team in its history.
The awards, described simply as "countless" by Robert Lintott, came as Williams built a forensics program that, to this day, competes annually at the state and national levels.
During her career, Williams was named coach of the year by the Washington State Forensics Association and Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
Many former and current students spoke throughout the evening, sharing sincerities and jokes in near equal measure. Some expressed appreciation through tears. Others talked about becoming fearless and finding community as part of the speech and debate team.
Ketchum credited Williams for inspiring his love of Mark Twain. Others quipped about having to endure the 19th century author of "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn."
Williams, an open admirer of Twain, kept a bust of the American writer in her class.
According to Ed Lintott, Williams taught more than 8,555 students in her career.
Following the open mic, Williams was shown a video compilation of former students congratulating her on her retirement. These included James Lintott, founder and chairman of Sterling Foundation Management, LLC.
Lintott, who was also present at the event, called debate his passion.
"Thanks for being a role model, never stepping down, always doing what's right," Lintott said. "... You created great experiences and memories for me, and for so many others. You changed my life, you changed so many other people's lives, and I am forever grateful."
The crowd, spanning generations, cheered in agreement.
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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 11:22 AM.