COUNSELOR BIDS FAREWELL

I am no longer the counselor at Royal High School as of this November. I will truly miss so many wonderful people that I have worked with over the years.

It has been a grand experience. My daughter Flannery and I first came to Royal City in February of 1995. She entered 3rd grade, and I became the high school counselor.

It has been so much fun and so rewarding. The last couple of years I have been getting students that are children of my former students. That made me feel a bit old, to say the least, but I loved the connection.

I never felt so much love and so much a part of this community as last spring when Flannery underwent her brain tumor surgery. The community stepped in and took care of us both in ways I could never have imagined.

Even now, people are always asking me how she is doing. So this is from both of us. She is doing well, and continues with her therapies, I have seen vast improvement in many areas.

We are both so grateful to Royal City and everyone who helped us get through this journey together. I will never forget when we were sitting on her couch in Pennsylvania and I found the first article in the newspaper about her brain surgery.

We were so surprised. I remember saying, "Flannery, you made the 1st page of the newspaper!"

That was just the beginning of many miracles and prayers being answered for us. There are so many people that were instrumental in her assistance and recovery that I could not possibly name everyone. We just want to humbly thank each and everyone of you.

Finally, there is no way I can thank all of you, students, parents, staff and community members who have been a part of my best job ever over these years.

When I first interviewed for the job, I had to look up Royal City on a map to see where it was. Then imagine my surprise when I arrived and found my old college buddy, Kathy Schutz, working at RHS.

Jack Hill was so friendly, as was David James, that I just felt this was the right place for Flannery and me to live. I have never regretted that decision.

So a final thanks to each of you who have had a part of our extraordinary experience at Royal. You are loved and will be missed. With heartfelt thanks.