CADIZ – At most high schools, the guidance office is regarded as a necessity, but not the most fun place for students to spend their time. However, that’s not exactly true at Harrison Central High School, thanks to retiring secretary Bobbie Lee Parkinson.

Parkinson has worked in the guidance office at HCHS since 2007, though she started her career at Cadiz High School back in 1985, long before the districts of Harrison County consolidated. She also spent 17 years at Hopedale Elementary School.

“I’m a nervous wreck,” Parkinson said of retirement, though she added she is looking forward to babysitting her grand-nephew, Waylon Sedgmer, and taking care of her parents from her home in New Athens.

Throughout her career, Parkinson has served as a kind of catch-all problem solver. Before the grade school had a nurse, for example, she dealt with all kinds of student injuries, from broken bones to splinters.

She can recount a few good stories, including trying to reign in a young student who decided to go streaking on the playground, and helping a principal realize her vision was faltering only because she had stolen her husband’s glasses.

The best part of being a school secretary, according to Parkinson, is working with kids and getting to know their parents. Parkinson said she acted as a mother figure to many children passing through the Harrison Hills district, and trying to help those who were struggling was par for the course.

“The reward of that, at the end, is just pure satisfaction to see that they made it,” Parkinson said.

Peacekeeper is another role Parkinson has inhabited.

“A lot of times you get the brunt of the angry parent on the other end of the phone,” she said. “You have to be the one that tries to get things smoothed over.”

Throughout her 30-year career, Parkinson has seen changes come and go to the schools. When she started, staff worked with pen and paper or typewriters. She said she was scared to death of her first computer, and cried for a month learning how to use it. Other, less helpful changes include the addition of countless standardized tests.

Parkinson has seen students grow up and come back to work at Harrison Hills, including guidance counselor Todd Dunlap.

“I have enjoyed working with Mr. Dunlap,” she said. “He’s top-notch when it comes to the job he’s done.”

Other students turned faculty include Mike Valesko, Cathy Roski, Amy Sedgmer and Tammy Taylor.

Her job has also allowed Parkinson to stay close to her daughter, Katie, who graduated from Harrison Central in 2013.

“The only downfall of that was she never really had a boyfriend because they were all afraid,” said Parkinson, conceding that she may have scared off potential suitors, even if it wasn’t intentional. Katie is now engaged and studying at Ohio University Eastern.

Parkinson said she kept a close eye on Katie’s grades, and pushing her to achieve led to Katie graduating with honors in the Top 10 of her class. Katie’s graduation was “bittersweet” to Parkinson, as she was proud of her daughter but knew she would miss her presence at school.

School has been a big part of Parkinson’s life, as she not only worked there, but has served as a volleyball coach and bowling coach and been involved with Band Boosters.

She has also done ticket sales for football and softball games, something she plans to continue in retirement. She and Katie will also work together next year as bowling coaches.

“I’m excited about that,” Parkinson said.

Harrison Hills is currently interviewing candidates to replace a number of retiring faculty for the 2015-16 school year. Retirees in addition to Parkinson include speech teacher Kim Morgan, Title I teacher Sharon Patterson, Title II teacher Teresa Nicholson, band director Jay Woods, English teacher Linda Erbacher, Spanish teacher Laura Raymond, social studies teacher Gary Shields, intervention teacher Bridget Binkiewicz, secretary Shelbia Hall, educational aides Jackie Roth and Lorie Phillips, cafeteria aide Becky Kaurich and bus driver Dean Carter.

Warner may be reached at mwarner@timesleaderonline.com.