After years of shaping young minds and leaving a lasting impact on countless students, Mrs. Muchnock, Greater Latrobe’s High School secretary for the guidance office, has decided to retire on December 20th. Known for her unwavering dedication and deep commitment to the school, she has been a cornerstone of the school community. As she retires, we take a moment to reflect on her remarkable career that not only kept the office running smoothly but also offered a steady hand to students, staff, and families alike.
Mrs. Muchnock’s journey toward a fulfilling career in administration is one marked by a series of thoughtful decisions and a deep commitment to her family and community. Being a proud graduate of GLHS, she initially pursued a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant immediately after completing her studies. After spending some time in the healthcare field, Mrs. Muchnock made the decision to step away from her professional career to devote herself to raising her three children. Recognizing the importance of family, she embraced the role of a full-time mother, providing her children with the care, attention, and support they needed as they grew. Once her children were old enough and more independent, she felt the calling to re-enter the workforce and contribute her skills to the Greater Latrobe community.
In a fortuitous turn of events, Mrs. Muchnock returned to Greater Latrobe School District, initially taking on substituting for secretaries throughout the district. It was through these experiences that she honed her understanding of the school system and further solidified her desire to be involved. As her career evolved, the opportunity arose for her to step into the role of secretary for the district—an opportunity that arrived at the perfect time in her life. With a deep sense of purpose, she embraced the position, and for the past 19 and a half years, Mrs. Muchnock has served as a dedicated secretary to the district, providing invaluable support to students, staff, and the administration.
Her time as secretary has been defined by a tireless work ethic, exceptional organizational skills, and an unwavering commitment to the success of the district. Throughout her nearly two decades of service, Mrs. Muchnock has been a constant source of assistance, reliability, and compassion. “It’s a balancing act, everybody comes to me for everything because I’ve been here so long,” she says.
Having spent such a significant portion of her life in the school district, Mrs. Muchnock has found herself constantly balancing the demands of both her professional and personal lives. Over the years, her work has become deeply intertwined with her personal commitments, requiring her to share both her time and emotions between her role as secretary and her responsibilities as a mother and family member. “Sometimes I feel bad for my family because I’ve given my whole self to everybody here that when I go home sometimes I’m exhausted, and now it’s time to give back to my family,” she states. While this balancing act has often meant personal sacrifices, it has also shaped her ability to juggle the needs of her colleagues and students with those of her family, showcasing her remarkable dedication to both her career and her loved ones.
When the news spread through the halls of GLHS that Mrs. Muchnock would be retiring mid-year, one question echoed throughout the school: “Why would she retire in the middle of the year?” The answer, however, was filled with nothing but warmth and excitement. Mrs. Muchnock is retiring to embrace a new chapter in her life—helping care for her new grandson. She is very excited to finally give time back to her family while enjoying her free time during her upcoming retirement by traveling, gardening, riding her motorcycle with her husband, reading, and resting.
Her hardest goodbye will be to the guidance counselors she has worked alongside for so many years. “Every day we make the day good, even if it’s been a bad day,” she says. Throughout her career, the support, teamwork, and shared commitment to helping students have been the foundation of her work. Reflecting on her time at Greater Latrobe, she acknowledges that she could never have done this job alone. The relationships she has formed with her colleagues have not only been a source of professional strength but have also shaped her personally. The camaraderie at Greater Latrobe has been a constant source of inspiration and has helped her grow into the person she is today. “This place has become my second family,” she says, her voice filled with gratitude. The connections and friendships she has made here will be the most cherished part of her retirement, and she will miss the everyday moments of working together as a team.
As Mrs. Muchnock prepares to step into this next chapter of her life, she does so with a heart full of gratitude for the many years spent at Greater Latrobe. Her decision to retire may be driven by a personal desire to care for her grandson, but it is the relationships she’s built with her colleagues that will remain with her forever. The school, once just a workplace, has become a second home, and her colleagues, a second family. As she leaves the halls that have shaped her, she takes with her the countless memories, lessons, and friendships that have made her journey so meaningful. Though her role at Greater Latrobe may be coming to an end, the impact she’s had on those around her will continue to resonate for years to come and the community is forever grateful for her.
“Thank you all for the wonderful years I’ve spent with everybody.” – Mrs. Muchnock.