Mrs. Dumbrill is retiring after twenty years of working in the Main Office at West Morris Central. Before working at WMC, Mrs. Dumbrill worked at Mount Olive High School. After five and a half years there, she started working at WMC for a few reasons. Not only did she live in town and her children went to WMC, but she knew “it was a good school” with a “good atmosphere.” Her first impressions couldn’t have been more accurate.
Mrs. Dumbrill’s time at Central was filled with countless interactions with staff, faculty, and students, making it a joy to spend her twenty years working as a secretary. “The faculty and staff are wonderful people to work with; they’re very kind and generous,” Mrs. Dumbrill said. Working so closely with the many different faculty members and staff at Central resulted in Mrs. Dumbrill’s close connection to many of them. To her, working at WMC is “like being part of a family here.” Mrs. Dumbrill recalls memories and instances where this close community feeling is seen at WMC, like the end-of-year staff barbecue and small moments in the personal lives of her coworkers, where she felt a deep connection to her colleagues. Mrs. Dumbrill truly enjoyed each and every one of the special times, stating, “There’s so much going on that it’s just an enjoyable atmosphere”.
The students are also a large reason for the fun of working at WMC. She had great experiences with all the students she’s interacted with over her twenty years in the Main Office. Like those with the staff, she cherished the many special memories she shared with students, like when a student would be excited about getting their license or getting accepted into the college they wanted.
But according to Mrs. Dumbrill, it’s “time for the next adventure.” Even so, there are certainly many things she will miss about working at WMC. “It’s the people, it’s always the people” that she will miss most. Mrs. Dumbrill, a self-described “very social person,” will miss the large array of people she interacts with on a daily basis while working in the main office. Moreover, she likes to keep busy and enjoys how active she is while working in the main office, managing numerous jobs. Mrs. Dumbrill plans on continuing this into her retirement. Her retirement, while not as structured as her time in the main office, will just be “another adventure”, she says.
Beyond enjoying the freedom of retirement, Mrs. Dumbrill plans to travel more with her husband, namely in the U.S. and Europe. In addition to travelling, she plans on taking classes, learning new things, and keeping busy. But of course, this is certainly going to be an exciting journey for Mrs. Dumbrill, with nothing planned out definitely, besides enjoying herself.
The West Morris Central community will certainly miss Mrs. Dumbrill and remember her as kind, caring, and helpful. As her time at WMC comes to an end, Mrs. Dumbrill offers her words of advice for all the students, staff, and faculty here to remember as we prepare to say our goodbyes. She encourages everyone to make the most of their lives and fill each moment with positive thoughts. “Strive for the best you can be in your life,” she advises. Finally, and in keeping with tradition, she offers her final piece of advice for everyone at West Morris Central: “As always, make good choices.”
