Saying goodbye is never easy, unless you know it’s time. After working at the high school for 23 years, counselor Patt McConnaughay knew it was time to say goodbye.
Growing up, McConnaughhay always knew she wanted to become a counselor. She knew to move to Nebraska was the perfect opportunity to become a counselor as there were many job openings.
“I like to help, to advise, and I like to listen. I find it interesting,” McConnaughhay said.
McConnaughhay said this was “a very difficult decision to make” and talked about for a long time before she finally made her decision.
“My husband got a job in Omaha, we considered commuting, but then I thought this would be the easiest decision,” McConnaughhay said.
Because her daughters live in De Moines, Iowa and Lincoln, McConnaughhay also thought about being closer to both of them.
Not having a specific idea of what she would want to do after retirement, she likes to remember to “take it one step at the time.”
“For vacation I would love to go to a beach somewhere, but I don’t have one planned right now,” McConnaughhay said.
She felt better knowing she will be leaving with all of her memories. “There’s not one specific memory, just a lot of good ones,” McConnaughhay said. “Lots of good memories with students and staff.”
