A Hawk's Eye View: December 12, 2025

As you can well imagine, once December 1 arrives, it becomes very lively and festive in schools. Harding is no exception! Decorations pop up, children and adults alike start talking about holiday plans, cookies are baking in our oven on the second floor, and the aroma brings us that warm feeling that only the holidays can bring. Suddenly, the end of school is in sight, and we enjoy special performances and concerts as we prepare to go off and celebrate in our own ways with our families.

This year, we are also preparing for the departure of one of our own. Mrs. Janet Shoemaker, our controller in the business office, has served Harding since December 1, 2003. She is moving on to the next chapter in her life, and she will be sorely missed. Janet is a true professional when it comes to accounting, investing, moving things around so that they balance, and, last but not least, has a great capacity to retain information about everything and everyone! She holds a lot of institutional knowledge, and she will keep working with us here and there remotely so that nothing falls through the cracks. We are incredibly grateful for that.

Janet is someone who gives hugs freely. She loves all the children and is known for handing out candy regularly. She is capable of immense empathy when one of her people is in need. She is tough when needed but soft when it makes a difference in someone’s life, especially when she sees that they are struggling. Janet will now be able to spend more time at home with her husband, Tony, and with daughter Grace, who is preparing her wedding for this summer. This major event in Janet’s life has brought her immense joy, and it has been a pleasure watching her excitement over it. Janet, thank you, we love you, and we will miss you.