By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATHER STAFF
Four decades of Cherokee students have experienced the warm smile and tender heart of Emmaline Kalonaheskie who worked in the front office of Cherokee High School. She was honored at a retirement luncheon on Monday, Dec. 9.
Emmaline Kalonaheskie, CHS front office, is shown at a retirement luncheon in her honor on Monday, Dec. 9. She worked for Cherokee Central Schools for 40 years. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather)
“I enjoyed seeing the students all the time and helping them,” she said. “I am going to miss all of the staff and students. I’ve seen a lot of students graduate.”
Kalonaheskie herself graduated from Cherokee High School in 1972. Two years later, she graduated from Haskell Indian Nations University – then named Haskell Indian Junior College – and in the fall of 1974, she started work for the Cherokee Central Schools.
She worked two years at Cherokee Middle School and the other 38 at Cherokee High School.
“She’s been an institution around here,” said Craig Barker, CHS assistant principal. “She’s a one-of-a-kind. You’ll never meet a finer individual anywhere. She’s really given a life of service to Cherokee Central Schools. She’s a great individual and will be sorely missed.”
Lou Johnson, who works in the CHS front office, will miss her co-worker. “I enjoyed working with her and I appreciate her dedication to the school.”
Cherokee School Board vice chairperson Gloria Griffin noted, “I would like to thank Emmaline for her years of dedicated service to Cherokee Central Schools and for touching so many lives while she was there. I wish her well.”
