TOWAMENCIN – For a student, walking through North Penn High School everyday is repetitive. Same check-in process, same people, same classes. But for North Penn graduate and now Athletics Secretary, Mrs. Kimberly Smith, it is a blast from the past.
This North Penn alumna can finally feel at home again in a familiar place with familiar faces. When the opportunity arose to be the Athletics Secretary, she knew it would be the right choice.
“I didn’t feel quite as nervous as maybe I did for my previous jobs. It just felt right,” Smith said..
Saying goodbye to people and places we are comfortable with can be hard, but it can also bring many great things.
“It was actually very bittersweet to leave my last place. I was at Downingtown East and Downingtown West High Schools and my team there was amazing, so I really enjoyed that job. But there’s just something about here, this is just a better fit for my family too,” explained Smith. “It’s a very big school and a very big athletic department. There are a lot of moving parts but I’m just making sure I’m being productive. It’s honestly been a great transition, and it was bittersweet. I loved my career for the first 20 years, but I’m excited. Hopefully this will be the next 20 years.”
Smith’s husband, Mr. Rick Smith works at the high school as a math teacher and lacrosse coach, and her mother had worked as a nurse at the high school for many years. Smith graduated with Mr. Kyle Berger, with whom she now shares an office, and her dad had graduated with Mrs.Linda Law, the former athletic secretary who retired last year after 53 years with NPSD. It all seems to be a full circle moment for Smith.
“I’ve always had my roots here and I think with my husband working here too, and my kids growing up around here, we’ve always liked North Penn. So far, it seems like everybody’s supporting each other. I really like the vibe and focusing on happiness and just making it a really positive year. I think that’s so important,” expressed Smith.
Such a huge school with over 3000 students and hundreds of staff members can be terrifying. But with so many faces passing through the halls everyday, comes so much warmth. The positive atmosphere of North Penn is exactly what Smith needed for a smooth transition.
“Everybody’s been awesome, with the people I already have connections with, and then all the new people that I’ve met. It’s been great. I think it’s just nice to be a part of a team again. I love the fact that I still get to work with students, but high school students,” explained Smith.
Smith expressed great enthusiasm for the new school year and to be able to continue working with students. In many secretarial positions at schools, there wouldn’t be as much student interaction but being able to assist students while also doing administrative work is a good balance for Smith.
“That’s what I was hoping for in this position too, is that athletes or just students in general, will come in and see me. And if they do need help, I’m here to help them. I’m here to talk, I’m here to chat, whatever they need. The door is always open,” said Smith.