June 7, 2008
Longtime staff, volunteers make success happen in Catholic schools
By Susan Laird
Herald correspondent
Whether they give a friendly smile, make an individual feel special or do something so simple as making things work, the “behind the scenes” people in Catholic education are a large part of the success of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sacramento.
These individuals tirelessly serve students, faculty and staff because they believe in the ministry of Catholic education. Some are highly visible and others work quietly, but all work to keep things running smoothly on the school campus. Each models Christ’s example as he or she goes about the day’s work.
The Herald profiles just a few of these unsung heroes who share their gifts and talents to support Catholic education.
Cynthia Cost
Assistant to the dean, attendance clerk and co-director of summer school
St. Francis Catholic High School, Sacramento
Cynthia Cost has one of the longest job titles on the St. Francis Catholic High School campus. It is a whirlwind position that she handles with grace, a “no-nonsense” good nature and genuine affection for the students, faculty and staff of the school.
“Cynthia is very dedicated to her job. She enjoys interacting with the students and loves the great atmosphere and sense of community at St. Francis High School.”
Nancy Doyle, dean of students
“Cynthia is very dedicated to her job,” said Nancy Doyle, dean of students. “She works extremely hard and is a great asset to the front office staff. She enjoys interacting with the students and loves the great atmosphere and sense of community at St. Francis High School.”
Cost is in charge of all areas of attendance, from kids who are sick to all-school sponsored absences for students involved in sports, academic teams or the performing arts. This can mean over 200 students on a single day at times.
She is responsible for assigning and tracking school detentions, caring for sick students on campus, and assisting the dean with minor disciplinary actions. She also serves as the co-director of St. Francis High School’s expanding summer school program.
In her spare time, Cost is the moderator of the St. Francis Cheer Team and the Pink Ladies Club, which is a breast cancer awareness group on the campus.
“Though Cynthia’s official job is to keep track of attendance, her ministry is making each student feel special and cared for,” said Andreas Agos, principal. “She somehow learns each student’s name — no small feat in a school of over 1,000 students — and in innumerable ways, helps make the main office a friendly place rather than ‘the administration building.’”
Brenda Snider
Advisory Commission development committee co-chair
Mercy Catholic High School, Red Bluff
Brenda Snider, whose four children are graduates of Mercy Catholic High School in Red Bluff, has volunteered in many roles at the school. Photo courtesy of Mercy Catholic High School
For some, the graduation of children from high school does not mean an end to one’s dedication and support for the school.
So it is with Brenda Snider at Mercy Catholic High School in Red Bluff.
Snider is a strong believer in the value of Catholic education in the north state, where Mercy has had its roots in Red Bluff since 1882. She has been heard to remark on numerous occasions, “I feel it is important for this school to be here for the next 100 years.”
She is willing to do whatever she can to assure that Mercy High School continues to move forward into the future.
Snider and her husband, Kevin, sent their four children to Mercy and the youngest graduated in 2007. The Sniders also shared the responsibility of sponsoring a student to attend Mercy High School. She refers to this student as “just another one of our children.”
During her many years as a Mercy parent, Snider could be seen at sporting events, at fund-raisers, in the garden, in the development office, and on the school’s advisory commission. She has always felt that development is an area that is key to Mercy High School’s future. As a result, she currently serves on the school’s advisory commission as co-chair of the development committee.
Last summer she volunteered her time in the development office to directing the activities of two Mercy alumni who were hired for the summer as interns. Together, the team created and updated the school’s alumni database, contacting more than 935 alumni to verify their information and reconnect them to their alma mater. Snider gave countless hours and financial support to this project, which included organizing a Mercy alumni and friends day on campus.
The group organized the development of a new Web site that would better connect Mercy High School to the community, according to Mary O’Keeffe, director of development. “Brenda and two others have conducted the annual fund drive for several years. She has created the fund drive mailer, addressed the envelopes, and written the thank you cards. Her commitment to any project is total dedication.”
Recently Snider hosted Mercy High School’s faculty retreat day at her home.
“The hospitality shown to Mercy’s faculty and staff on that day mirrored that of the long-standing worldwide tradition of the Sisters of Mercy,” O’Keeffe said. “That Mercy tradition — begun by the Mother Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy — of offering ‘a comfortable cup of tea’ is one that Brenda Snider models daily.”
Jim Halfman
Maintenance, building and groundskeeper
St. John Notre Dame School, Folsom
Jim Halfman is responsible for maintaining the parish grounds of St. John the Baptist Parish in Folsom, which includes caring for the buildings and grounds of St. John Notre Dame School.
“Jim Halfman can and does fix anything and everything.”
Sara Schlehofer,
St. John Notre Dame School school
librarian
Each day comes with its own challenges for Halfman. For example, the fourth grade classroom had a large TV mounted to the wall. One morning, the TV was found on the floor. It had fallen, suffering minor damage, and could not be reattached to the wall. It also happened that the school’s library needed a larger TV to share with the kindergarten, religious education and school multipurpose room.
“Jim not only fixed up the TV from its fall, he also made a base to place it on so it would be stable and safe to move from room to room,” said Sara Schlehofer, school librarian.
Halfman puts his woodworking and craftsman skills to good use throughout the campus of St. John Notre Dame School.
“All of the furniture currently in the library — the tables, the wood and wire bookcase and the reading benches — were all put together by Mr. Halfman,” Schlehofer said. “Jim Halfman can and does fix anything and everything.”
One of Schlehofer’s favorite stories about Halfman involves his willingness to share his fascination with the way things work with the students of the school. While repairing the drinking fountain near the school’s primary play structure, he noticed that the young students at morning recess were fascinated by the project.
They were fascinated not only that he was able to fix it, but also that he was able to show them just how and why he was fixing it. The students saw firsthand where the water for the fountain comes from and how it flows to the mouthpiece where they drink it.
“If there’s a problem, Jim is there to fix it,” said Debbie Hurtado, middle school coordinator and math chair. “However, fixing things isn’t the only thing Mr. Halfman does for our school. Cold and dark winter mornings are much nicer on the days Jim comes to work. Early in the morning, teachers find their rooms nice and toasty with the heater primed, blinds open, and lights on ready for them to start the day.”
Fifth grade teacher Judy Fields noted Halfman’s voluntary willingness to help teachers with their curriculum. Her students needed assistance on a project.
“Pretty soon there he was — cutting and sanding 108 three-by-three inch blocks of wood for the fifth graders so they could make Jacob’s Ladders,” she said.
“We could not get along without our ‘Man Friday,’” said Sue Styren, vice principal of St. John Notre Dame School. “His workmanship is quality all the way through, whether it is electrical, working on air conditioning units, keeping the grounds watered and green, and having the necessary equipment to move heavy objects. I am sure there is so much more that goes into keeping our school bright and cheery.”
Above all, Halfman is appreciated for his character and example on the campus of the school, according to Styren.
“There are very few adult males on our campus throughout the week, but every other day you can see Jim in his nicely starched walking shorts and golf shirt on campus — providing not only service but acting as a role model for our growing young boys,” she said. “Our school’s motto is ‘Learning and Serving with Christ.’ Jim lives the school’s motto by serving others selflessly.”
Diane Yarrow
School receptionist
St. Theresa School, South Lake Tahoe
“Diane is our receptionist, but she does so much more,” says Danette Winslow, principal of St. Theresa School in South Lake Tahoe. “She is the school nurse. She is the controller of inventory. She cleans the front office. She helps with school discipline and making many phone calls home to parents. Sometimes she is even the plumber.”
Yarrow’s work extends to all those around her: staff, students and parents. Her positive outlook and upbeat nature are an inspiration to all.
“It is not uncommon for Diane to give you a compliment every single day,” Winslow said. “She is always bringing in special snacks or little gifts to those who need a ‘pick-me-up.’”
She shares her position as receptionist with another secretary, Mary Jolley, who has experienced her acts of mercy firsthand.
“Two years ago, when I was really sick, Diane came and visited me every day,” Jolley said. “She always had some kind of gift for me, whether it was flowers or just her cheery smile. She also filled in for me the entire time I was ill — and never once complained. She is a gem.”
Whenever — or wherever — there is a need, Yarrow steps right in to help.
“She has an amazing amount of energy,” Winslow said. “I could not effectively do my job as a principal without her. Diane works four days a week or five if I really need her.”
It is no surprise that Yarrow’s little acts of kindness every day throughout the years have endeared her to the community at St. Theresa School. Indeed, her life models the “Little Way” of the school’s patron saint.
“She is the warmest, friendliest, cheeriest person in the building,” Winslow said. “She is the ‘welcome’ mat at the front door — the first impression visitors have of St. Theresa School. She is a blessing times 10.”
