(Cushing, Okla.) Deep Rock Elementary’s very own Nancy Criner received the honor of being named Secretary of the Year at the annual Secretary’s Day Luncheon held at the First United Methodist Church in Cushing on Wednesday, April 22, 2015.
Criner’s time at Deep Rock began in 1982 as a teacher’s assistant, but prior to that she started working for Cushing Public Schools as a school bus driver (1974 – 1999). In 2004, she became Deep Rock’s secretary. Criner was nominated for Secretary of the Year 2015 by Deep Rock principal Teresa Shaffer.
The following are exerpts from the letter written by Shaffer and submitted to the Cushing Public School Foundation for consideration:
“When visitors come to the school entrance, it is Mrs. Criner’s calm voice they first hear. When a telephone call comes in, it is Nancy’s soothing tone that falls upon their ears. When a teacher needs a form, information, a copy run off, and a host of other things, it is Nancy Criner who heeds the call. When a student needs comfort from a fall, it is Mrs. Criner who applies the Neosporin and the Band-Aid and makes everything better. When a child finds that he/she has a tick on his/her person, you guessed it. It is Mrs. Criner who works magic with the tweezers.
“Mrs. Criner is always an encourager. She finds a way to make everyone’s day go a little better, a little brighter. She is kind and considerate, loyal and honest, dependable and conscientious. She displays a compassionate and beautiful heart.
“Mrs. Criner is valuable and above reproach as a dedicated employee. I am blessed to work with her on a daily basis. I am thrilled to embrace her as a confidant and lifelong friend. For 41 years, she has made a positive difference in our school. And for her entire life, she has been a community volunteer, sports enthusiast and I highly recommend Nancy Criner for this distinguished honor. She is extremly deserving, humble, and caring. For 41 years, she has served our school and this community in a plethora of ways that will be fondly remembered by all of us at Deep Rock Elementary long after our school doors have closed.”
A surprised – and touched – Nancy Criner humbly accepted the honor bestowed upon her as the 2015 Secretary of the Year presented by Walter Webb. She was given a framed copy of the letter and a dozen red roses.
And although the doors to Deep Rock School will be closing at the end of this school year as students (and yes, Mrs. Criner) move into the new middle school and grade centers, Nancy Criner will no doubt always be remembered as “Deep Rock’s Secretary.”
*Special note: Deep Rock School will be hosting a reception/reunion on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 3 p.m. in the Deep Rock gym. The reception will be a time to celebrate past and current students and faculty. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Other highlights of the luncheon included music by Second Chance: Bob and Nelda Driggs, Keeley Neal and Craig Skinner along with drawings for numerous door prizes donated by local businesses.
Special thanks to: Baker Pharmacy, Bank of Cushing, Beasley Technology, Inc., Busy Bee Floral, Carson Foundation, E-Z Ice, Inc., Fechner Pump & Supply, Inc., Head Country Food Products, Inc., Naifeh’s Deli & Grill, Palmer Marler Funeral Home, and Robnett State Farm Insurance Agency, Inc.
The Cushing Public School Foundation, Inc. was founded in May of 1991. Through its Grants to Teachers Program, more than $80,850 has been awarded to classroom teachers in the Cushing public school system for outstanding special projects.
Money raised from this annual luncheon helps to fund the Grants to Teachers Program.
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