On Thursday, April 30, the counselor secretary, Susan Keeney, retired after 23 years of working at Camas High School (CHS).
Keeney grew up in the Camas community and graduated from CHS. After marriage, she moved out of Washington with her husband, who was enlisted in the Air Force. When her husband’s enlistment time was over, they both returned to Camas to raise their children. She was a stay-at-home mother until her children were in high school, when she began working at CHS.
Keeney originally worked as a substitute in the main office when the current CHS campus was built in 2003. A year later, she took on the position of a counselor
secretary.
As a counselor secretary, Keeney provided the school counselors with administrative support and coordinated meetings with students and parents. She also gave general support to the school counselors during the difficult times throughout the school year, such as orientation and forecasting.
“I enjoy being part of the counseling team,” Keeney said. “We have some amazing counselors, and it is my joy to do all I can to help them with the many details of their job.”
Alongside being a counselor secretary, Keeney was a part of the CHS Social Committee, which planned and carried out social events for the staff team. She was also an AP exam coordinator and proctor for the Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium (SBAC) exams.
“She knew the cycles of the school year and always tried to protect us when we were crushed,” school counselor Leontina Liebe said. “These times … were very long days and [Ms. Keeney] would make sure we got lunch, something to drink, and had what we needed to be successful in our roles.”
Having been a part of the CHS community her whole life, Keeney had the opportunity to watch how the school evolved over the years. Even as the community’s numbers grew larger, she noticed one key trait that persisted throughout her time at CHS.
“The one thing that remains one of our strongest assets is the incredible support we receive from the community of Camas,” Keeney said.
For Keeney, there were many things about CHS to feel nostalgic about as she prepared for her retirement. What she would miss the most were the relationships she had built and treasured during her time at the school.
“I love the people I work with and the students that are the reason we come to work each day,” Keeney said. “I also love being able to see our students shine in so many ways.”
Keeney always enjoyed participating in school events to support the students. As an athletics and performing arts supporter, she attended every home sporting event as well as most plays and band performances.
Liebe, a close friend of Keeney’s, shared many memories with her over the years of working together, often over a cup of coffee on Friday mornings before the school day began.
“I loved working with her,” Liebe said. “Before school on Fridays, we would sit with a cup of coffee and share about our lives and encourage one another when times were challenging and celebrate in times of joy.”
After her retirement, Keeney looks forward to spending more time with her family and friends. Although she left CHS, her Papermaker spirit will continue to live on inside her.
“It has brought me great joy and blessings to be able to have been a part of Camas High School,” Keeney said. “Once a Papermaker, always a Papermaker.”
