Spencer Duncan
SJHS Staff Writer

Mrs. Janine Murdock is the finance secretary at Springville Junior High.  Mrs. Murdock’s job is to handle the school’s finances and to find substitutes for the teachers.  Mrs. Murdock’s busiest days are getting 900 students registered for school in the fall and collecting end of year fines in May so everyone can get their yearbooks.  Mrs. Brenda Bales, the attendance secretary at SJHS, said another way Mrs. Murdock helps the school is, “She’s a great friend to all the teachers, new and old.”

Mrs. Murdock started working here at SJHS in 1989.  She started as a skill building supervisor with Mrs. Joye Wimmer, tardy secretary at SJHS.  Mrs. Wimmer has been working with Mrs. Murdock for “many years.”  Mrs. Bales has been working with Mrs. Murdock for 15 years.  After working in skill building, Mrs. Murdock spent five years as the attendance secretary.  After she was the attendance secretary she was the counseling secretary for another five years before moving into the front office to handle the finances.  According to Mrs. Murdock, she has worked for five principals at SJHS since starting in 1989.

Mrs. Murdock said, “I actually attended Springville Junior High seventh through ninth grade, many years ago. Mr. Steve Robbins was one of my classmates.”  Mrs. Murdock also said, “Our lunchroom was downstairs in the area where the art room is.  Before the school was remodeled the front office was a large concrete staircase leading up to the front doors.”  Mrs. Murdock has a lot of history with SJHS.

“I love my job and the students and staff I am able to work with,” said Mrs. Murdock.  According to her, this is sometimes like her home away from home.

Spencer Duncan
SJHS Staff Writer

The students and teachers at Springville Junior High will recognize the name of Mrs. Brenda Bales, attendance secretary at SJHS.  Mrs. Bales’s job is to keep track of attendance at the junior high.

Mrs. Bales has been working at the junior high for 15 years.  According to Mrs. Bales, one of her favorite parts of her job is that she is always busy.  She also said, “The kids are my favorite.”

Ms. Rachel Neeley, a seventh grade English teacher at SJHS, said, “Mrs. Bales can do a million things at once!”  According to Ms. Neeley, Mrs. Bales is an enjoyable person to talk to.

Kids at SJHS can always be comfortable asking Mrs. Bales questions about things happening at school and much more.

Spencer Duncan
SJHS Staff Writer

The H1N1 virus has hit Springville.  Many students have been absent from schools.  According to the Utah Health Department website, the virus is a pandemic, which means that there isn’t a single country without the virus.  But The Utah Health Department also said, “The sickness isn’t as bad as expected.”

The symptoms include fever, cough, soar throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.  Most cases have not been very serious, but people should still be careful.  Officials suggest washing hands often and to cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.  Officials also suggest coughing and sneezing into your elbow.

According to Mrs. Brenda Bales, the SJHS attendance secretary, the worst days during the past week were the 12th, 13th and the 14th.  There was 23-24% of the student body absent.  Mrs. Bales said, “If your kids are running a fever, they shouldn’t come to school.”

Brittany Blackmon
SJHS Staff Writer

It’s that time of the year again when all the memories of the start of the school come rushing back. That’s right, it’s the end of the school year when the students receive their yearbooks and look back on all the days they said they wished school was over. On May 26th, students will receive their yearbooks, but the students with fines will have to wait until, May 29th, the last day of school. Students will be signing yearbooks on May 28th and 29th.

Students will be given their yearbooks and go around and have their friends sign each others books. Thursday the 28th is a regular school schedule, and teachers might also have some activities planned. “It is fun to look through the yearbook and remember the school year,” said Ms. Rachel Neeley, the yearbook advisor at SJHS.  Imagine yourself 10 years from now and looking back through your yearbooks. You’d be amazed at how much has changed since then.

Mrs. Brenda Bales, an attendance secretary at SJHS, said, “I love being able to tell the kids goodbye, and I like the happy relaxed atmosphere.” When the time comes to sign yearbooks, a lot of things change. Friends start to miss each other, everyone starts making plans for summer, and others just look back and say “Remember when we acted like total goofs?” Yearbooks are part of the best memories we share.

Jaqueline Fry
SJHS Staff Writer

Throughout Christy Burnett’s life, her work has involved schools, and her job this year at the SJHS is being an “Office Lady,” which she says that she loves, and she loves the students she is around.

Christy Burnett was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and she lived in Nebraska during her teenage years. She and her husband have five kids, one girl and four boys.

Mrs. Burnett loves SJHS and working here. “It’s my home away from home, and has great staff,” she says. “I love my job! I work with wonderful people and learn something new every day!”

Others enjoy Mrs. Burnett’s company as well. “She is always happy and positive,” Brenda Bales, school attendance secretary, said. Mrs. Burnett’s daughter, KateLyn Burnett agreed with Mrs. Bales, “She has a fun personality that is crazy, but good. I can just be myself with her.”

Mrs. Burnett works at the SJHS as the morning secretary, and she helps Mrs. Bales with the attendance. Her main responsibilities are to record and print off the morning enrichment lists, check in all of the substitute teachers, and answer the phone. “I take every little job very seriously and do it the best I can,” Mrs. Burnett explained.

Mrs. Burnett enjoys things like scrapbooking, organizing, and reading. Her favorite books are any Jane Austen books. She dislikes rude behavior and disorganization, and loves peace and harmony.

Maddi Dayton
SJHS Staff Writer

One of the coolest people at SJHS isn’t even a student; it’s Mrs. Brenda Bales, the attendance secretary. “I admire her. She does so many things at once. It amazes me!” Sarah Fawson, an eighth grade student, reported. Many students, teachers and parents agree. She is always so willing to help, and she is always kind and understanding.

“She loves her work and is always happy,” Holly Sumsion, an SJHS student, happily stated. Mrs. Bales’ enthusiasm shows when she works. “She is just cool and always happy about everything. I’ve never, in my experience at the junior high, heard her speak an unkind word,” Hannah Packard, an SJHS student, stated. “I’m never afraid to ask for help because she is just so nice,” Maddie Patten, an 8th grader, admitted. So many other people share Maddie’s same view. Mrs. Bales is definitely one of the coolest people in the school.

“We are so lucky to have her at our school,” Sarah Fawson said. Indeed we are. There is no way SJHS could properly function without her and the other office ladies. She takes care of the attendance, she keeps track of all the kids checking in and out, plus she makes the morning announcements and mans the intercom.

Mrs. Bales has the unique ability to stay calm under a lot of pressure and multi-task multiple things. “We are really lucky to have her. She is so nice, cool & kind. I just want her to know how grateful we are for her and all the hard work she does,” Maddie Patten said. And who could say thank you better than one of the students that Mrs. Brenda Bales serves every day.