SM Honors Three Retirees

After years of dedication to Santa Margarita, three valued employees are moving on and leaving a lasting legacy. We wish George Cou, Spanish Teacher, Mary Ellen King, ASL Teacher and Michelle Lencioni, Chief Financial Officer happiness and fulfillment in their next endeavors. 

GEORGE COU

• What led you to work at SMCHS? I wanted to return to teaching, what I love to do the best, and I got an opportunity in 2006.
• How many years have you worked at SM? I have worked here for 20 years.
• What will you miss most? I will miss the students the most, and the classroom.
• Favorite SM memory? One of my favorite memories is the IB Sail Adventure with the students to Catalina.
• Post-retirement plans? My wife and I will be retiring to Prescott, Arizona, where a new adventure awaits us.
• Something we may not know about you. I love horses.

MARY ELLEN KING

• What led you to work at SMCHS? What brought me to SMHS was Edjoin (no, seriously). I was looking for a position as an ASL teacher, Santa Margarita advertised on Edjoin, and I applied. When I interviewed, I realized I was going to be starting the ASL program, what a privilege! I was so excited to get this great opportunity. I’ve been here through thick and thin.
• How many years have you worked at SM? I started at SM in August 2018; I’ve been here 8 school years.
• What will you miss most? I will miss going to Mass on Holy Days, going to Mass anytime available, Kairos, being able to share my faith with like-minded colleagues.  Mostly I will miss the wonderful friends and colleagues I have been given the opportunity to work, cry and pray with.
• Favorite SM Memory? My favorite SM memories are sharing time with coworkers. All school Masses, Eucharistic Procession this year, Kairos retreats and Fr. Scott saying/signing Mass with my ASL 4 students.
• Post-Retirement Plans? Visit all the Missions in California, maybe other states, hit as many National parks as my husband will go to, take care of Grands, re-do my garden (to start). Wherever God leads me.
• Something we may not know about you? I’m the oldest girl from a large Catholic family (nine brothers, four sisters) who are relatively close as families go. I have four children, my oldest being deaf so we all sign and eight grandchildren. Family is important to me, so we do a lot of things together - as much as possible. I live in Murrieta, I drove Ortega Hwy daily; it was worth the drive.

MICHELLE LENCIONI

• What led you to work at SMCHS? I was a parent and very active volunteer. When my youngest graduated I was at the volunteer thank you breakfast and the administrator in charge asked me what I was going to do now. I said I would probably look for a part-time job. Later that afternoon she called me and asked if I was interested in a position they had available. A few days later, I was hired.
• How many years have you worked at SM? 14 years as of July of this year.
• What will you miss most? Interacting with some of the people I worked with. SMCHS has some fantastic employees who are very dedicated to the mission of Catholic Education. I was blessed to work with them and to work in an environment where I could actively express my faith in God.
• Favorite SM memory? Organizing the summer fun days where those of us on campus could take a break each week and enjoy iconic summer activities like the infamous water balloon "toss".
• Post-retirement plans? I have moved to Texas to be close to my daughter and two granddaughters and I am still working for the Eagle Foundation.