Jen Diehl, Junior High School Secretary, was recognized as this month’s Tiger Talent recipient at the school board meeting last night.
JH Principal Rick Basala outlined how Diehl earned the honor, “Jen is not only the secretary of the JH, she is the heart of the JH. She is pleasant and polite, despite the hectic chaos and the hustle and bustle of a morning inside a school office…. Kids asking questions, dropping off notes. Someone forgetting his lunch; another, her homework. One is angry, and another one has a stomach ache, but the nurse isn’t in yet. Two teachers are looking for someone to cover their classes.
Then Mr. Basala drops a large stack of papers down in front of her, and then two of them unite to tackle the morning rush. This is just an average day for Jen Diehl, Sherrard Junior High’s nominee for February's Tiger Talent Award.
Jen creates a positive environment with her presence. Jen’s laugh can be heard throughout the Junior high halls. It is very contagious.
During the pandemic, the coaches of the athletic teams were not able to conduct award ceremonies for the participating athletes. Leave it to the multi-talented Super Sonic Secretary, Jen, who surprised our athletes by calling them to the office for their athletic awards. Several students have stated that they were glad to get the award but were a bit nervous, because they thought they were “in trouble”.
When students are sent to the office for a poor choice, Jen offers a listening ear to students and allows them to share their frustrations while they are waiting for Mr. Basala. More often than not, Jen shares nuggets of wisdom that can have a lasting impression.
Jen goes above and beyond; she organized “Birthday Breakfast of the Month '' to celebrate Sherrard’s teachers and to promote camaraderie. She also maintains the “Student of the Month” bulletin board and is the coordinator of the Post-Prom activities for the high school. Jen makes us proud to be tigers.
BUT MOST OF ALL, Jen keeps Mr.Basala on his toes!! Thank you Jen Diehl.”
Superintendent Dr. Carl Johnson implemented the award for “...those who model, build and encourage positive character qualities - speaking into students’ lives by word and deed that will resonate for years to come and help guide them to become the leaders and contributing community members of tomorrow.”
“We all remember that one person who said or did something that stuck with us - they made us feel important, they noticed our strengths, and it's something we revisit in times of struggle... Those deserve to be acknowledged for their dedication,” said Dr. Johnson.
She received a golden metal apple with “Tiger Talent” inscribed to commemorate their hard work.
