The 'Eagle Times' Student Newspaper: Features

Connie Kelsey (back row, second from left) recently left Silver Lake High School after 21 years of service. (Photo by Staff)

Au revoir to dedicated employee

Connie Kelsey says goodbye

By Shelby Brokaw

May 04, 2007

"What? Leaving? Are you serious?"

This was the reaction many had to the recent departure of an office member.

Connie Kelsey, a 21-year secretary at Silver Lake High School, left her post on April 4. Kelsey's resignation was a huge surprise to many students, parents, and even faculty of the school district.

Larry Winter, principal of the high school, shared his reaction when Kelsey gave him her notice.

"Total surprise! I certainly didn't envision her leaving probably before I left...that was something that I never really thought about was her quitting."

Kelsey left Silver Lake because she was hired as a secretary at Stormont-Vail HealthCare. Not thinking she would be selected, she said she applied anyway. The answer she received to her application surprised her, and she felt that this job was her true calling.

"Since my work with the American Cancer Society and being chair for the Relay for Life in Silver Lake for now seven years, I have thought for many years that my calling was to be in a position where I could help people more and really make a difference. When I saw the job opening, I applied for it, not even having an inkling that I would be selected. I am so excited that someone would pick me at my age to start a new career. I'm really excited, but it's really sad to leave," explained Kelsey.

Kelsey began pursuing secretarial work in high school. Years later, she transferred from the Kansas House of Representatives to her former post at Silver Lake High School, never believing she would stay as long as she did. Her reasons for coming to Silver Lake were simple.

"...I really wanted to be in a position where I could be at home with my children after school. And I really like secretarial work. I really wanted to help people," she said.

Winter said during her time at Silver Lake, Kelsey displayed many qualities.

"She’s very conscientious. Exemplary character. She was always looking out to help us provide better things for our kids and for the school. She was a good idea person and would come in and say, 'well what if we tried this'...She was always looking ahead," said Winter.

With Kelsey's departure, another staff member has been given the chance at a position in the office. Kim Roberson, who used to work in the computer department at the grade school, has taken Kelsey's old post at the high school. Winter thinks Roberson is the best woman for the job because of her current relations with many of the students.

"...It's a great advantage for Mrs. Roberson to have kids in school so she already knows a lot of the student population...She's learning the job right now and doing an excellent job at trying to catch on to all of the things that need to be taken care of."

Roberson noted with a smile her reason for accepting the position.

"I was ready for a more challenging career," she noted. "I'm just really glad that I got the job."

Though Kelsey will be sorely missed in the office, Winter said, it is no doubt that Roberson will be a successful secretary.

"We regret losing Mrs. Kelsey, but we're looking forward to the new office staff being able to continue to support our students and our school," he said.

Though Kelsey thinks that she will be able to help more people in her new position at Stormont-Vail HealthCare, she will still miss all of the people she's met through working at Silver Lake. She believes that the most impressive thing about the school is the results of the students who graduate.

"We have a lot of good people out there: doctors and attorneys, nurses. We have so many people that have become successful. That is what makes our school so great is that they have gotten their start here," stated Kelsey.