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.