Some of the hardest workers in the school deserve the recognition they deserve. Our secretaries, Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Sauder, are the first people you see when you enter Dee-Mack High School. They are the friendly faces of Dee-Mack so let’s learn a little bit about them! Both were asked why they wanted to be secretaries and in response, Mrs. Martin said that she knew she wanted to be around kids while still being able to help out and put a smile on someone’s face. Mrs. Sauder worked a lot of jobs before retiring but still knew that she wanted to be working. She applied for the secretary position and has been here for almost seven years! Mrs. Sauder enjoys seeing the growth and maturity of each and every single student from freshman to senior year. It brings comfort to her to see how the kids she’s watched for four years grow into new people. Both secretaries appreciate the staff and environment that they work in every day. The staff, facilities, and more all make the school day more comfortable.
I asked Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Sauder what a day in life looked like to which both gave me similar answers. Mrs. Sauder described the start of her day as hectic with phones ringing, doors buzzing, and people coming in at 7:30. She works until 4:00pm every day to ensure that she is getting an adequate amount of work down each day. To continue her day after the morning rush is done, students come in and out daily with millions of questions to which she must know the answer. She also has to keep track of athletic schedules, staff and admin requests, bank deposits to make, and tv screen announcement updates. Mrs. Martin’s day is similar with the same amount of buzz around the office with teachers and students swarming all day. Both love the rush and are able to work with it regardless!
Mrs. Martin says that qualities necessary for a high school secretary are: the ability to multitask while still remaining patient. There’s no way a secretary could do their jobs as well as they could without the patience it takes to handle 14-18 year old children all day. Mrs. Sauder agrees with this but adds that secretaries must be able to direct their attention to the most urgent need even if they are in the middle of something. To quote Mrs. Sauder, “In doing that, I try to be compassionate, but firm; fair, but open-minded; and professional, but caring.” Secretaries have to be able to handle everything thrown at them no matter what is going on. Make sure to thank a secretary because their jobs are tough and they do have to deal with high schoolers EVERY SINGLE DAY…
Outside of their secretary lives, both cherish time with their families. Mrs. Sauder enjoys cooking, swimming, and watching football. She has got the American dream all figured out with those three things: Food, Football, and Family! This summer she plans to spend lots of time by the pool and travel up north to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan for some rest and relaxation after the busy school year! Mrs. Martin spends time with her grandchildren, kids, and husband outside of school. Specifically during the summer, she enjoys boating and swimming with them. Her summer plans include watching her grandson once a day and also camping! Both don’t mind the relaxation of the summer when they aren’t required to be anywhere before 7:30! They take the time to appreciate the slow and steady time that they get over the summer before coming back to a full swing school year in August!
