By Terra Avilla
I could not WAIT to write this article about this week’s feature, for an array of reasons. Most of them go hand-in-hand with how awesome she is, but mostly because I deal with her so much, and last week, I looked at her, and was mad at myself that I have not written about her sooner. If you don’t know her guys – let me tell you, she is not a “Susanville Treasure”, she is just treasure. An all-around precious jewel who emits a light for all to see. That person would be my dear sweet friend, Nancy Singh.
Nancy currently works at Lassen High School as a Student Services Coordinator. It’s a seemingly generic title for a woman who does so much for those students.
Nancy’s entire day is filled with helping teens navigate an array of issues. They are hungry and need a snack? Ms. Nancy’s candy bowl never runs out. They are embarrassed because they can’t afford hygiene items. Ms. Nancy tactfully steps in and quietly provides them whatever item they need.
If they need clothing, a computer to distant learn or dress clothes for a job interview Ms. Nancy is there.
And if she can’t help you, she won’t rest until she can find the right person who can.
But Ms. Nancy is more than a spot to pick up necessities. Since her hiring Ms. Nancy has been a very safe spot – for some of our most vulnerable students to feel safe, to feel like they have an adult who cares about them, who cares if they ate breakfast that day, cares that they have warm clothes, cares that they are having a rough day emotionally.
I have seen it firsthand. Some of the more challenging cases I have, where I just feel like the student has a lot to say, but won’t talk to me because of my uniform, will not think twice about confiding in Ms. Nancy. They adore her. The trust her, and because of her work, we have a growing population of students who are coming to school to participate.
Now, as an overgrown kid myself, I can tell you why they love her so much. She is just a genuine person, who, when you talk, listens completely to what you are saying. A skill most adults need to work on. But not Ms. Nancy.
I find myself gravitating to her office, just to say hello, and she genuinely asks me about how my day is going. I have really come to enjoy our quick morning meetings together. I can only imagine the hundreds of our students who feel the same way.
Nancy’s greatness does not just stop with her work at Lassen High School. Anyone who knows her outside of work will tell you the giant heart that lady has, and what a wonderful family woman she is.
Nancy is a loving mother, wife and grandmother. She has lived in Susanville for a quite a while, and in that time, her beautiful soul has graced thousands of us. Thank you, Ms. Nancy, for my daily reminder to slow down and listen to others.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow (and not just because you have the best candy on campus), because you are one of the reasons, I love the place we live.
