Kari Gilbertson is retiring after 28 years teaching in RISD.

Lake Highlands High School choir boosters are hosting a retirement reception for Kari Gilbertson Friday in honor of her 36 years of dedication to students. She spent 15 years as the choral director at Forest Meadow Junior High and 13 years at LHHS.

In her time mentoring some of Lake Highlands’ most talented and accomplished students, Gilbertson has chaperoned Espree ski trips, led her A Cappella choirs to big wins at competition and been invited as a special guest by Top Ten Graduates to their honorary luncheon.

The party will immediately follow the high school’s annual spring concert which begins at 7 p.m. Friday night in the LHHS auditorium. The highlight of the evening, as always, will be the singing of “Set Me as a Seal” by students and graduates in the audience. A second reception will be held on Saturday, May 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 9904 Windlake Circle. All are invited.