/wp:image
wp:image {“id”:59141}
/wp:image
wp:image {“id”:59142}
/wp:image
wp:image {“id”:59143}
/wp:image
wp:paragraph
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
It was a bittersweet time filled with laughter and memories, as Northland Pioneer College (NPC) said good-bye to three retiring staff members and announced the winner of the NPC Outstanding Alumnus for Spring 2019 at the Navajo County Community College District Governing Board meeting on April 16.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Among those retiring was Cindy Hildebrand, administrative services assistant, Hallie Lucas, administrative assistant for learning, and Everett Robinson, media relations coordinator. Each retiree received a framed print of an eagle done by Peterson Yazzie and an eagle statue to honor their years of service.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Known for her quick wit and dry sense of humor, Hildebrand, who lives east of Snowflake with her husband Larry, created a roar of laughter when she pointed to her friends and family in the audience and said, “You know why they are here, they want to hear me say, ‘37 years and all I get is the bird.’”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Along the same line, NPC President Mark Vest, said that when he started at the college in 2001, “Cindy was the second person I met and the first person to insult me, and that happened within about 30 seconds of our meeting.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
On a more serious note, Vest went on to say that Hildebrand worked with him on the Instructional Council. “We spent a lot of time telling people, you can’t do that, or you can’t do it this way. Cindy kept us on the straight and narrow. She does the right thing, the right way and has a high set of values and morals that we should all strive for.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
“I will miss the work equally as I miss the people here,” Hildebrand shared. “But I am so ready to retire. My retirement advice, on July 1 don’t set an alarm and sleep in.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
During the honoring of Lucas, Vest shared, “When we hired Hallie, I didn’t know her very well, but the last day, the person who preceded Hallie and was a wonderful human being, came walking into my office to tell me good-bye. I had a 36-ounce super-sized cup of diet soda on my desk and when she reached over to shake my hand, the whole cup got knocked into my lap.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
The bath of soda shorted out Vest’s phone, leaving him soaking wet and thinking, “Hallie will be here in two days and it has to be better.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Within a few weeks of Lucas coming on board, Vest said, “It was like the clouds had opened up and the sun was shining down on us. Not only were things better but they were amazing. I will miss you, the college will miss you. The deans and the faculty will find out on July 1 how much they miss you.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Lucas said, “It has been an honor and privilege to work at NPC, who in my opinion is the best employer on the mountain. This is a new chapter in my life and I am excited for the next step, which might include working with NPC friends and family.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Director Ann Hess honored Robinson, saying that he has been with NPC for 25 years. “Everett’s dedication was proven the second day on the job. He started on Feb. 7, 1994, and on Feb. 8, there was a colossal snowstorm. Everett left Show Low at 2 a.m. to drive all the way to Holbrook, risking life and limb just to show up for work.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Hess went on to say, “Everett gives 5,000 percent all of the time. He is always willing to help and always there when you need him. When I asked him to tell me his fondest memories, he finally said, ‘I really like helping employees and making their jobs easy.’”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Robinson said, “I am not sure I am really ready for retirement. When you report for work for 51 years, what do you do on July 1. The opportunity to work for NPC came at a perfect time in my life. My oldest son was turning 14 and I was trying to figure out how I was going to put him through college. NPC had a tuition waiver available. My daughter had the same opportunity and she will be walking in commencement in May. I will miss you folks, but I will still be around.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Luci Wytewa, a college graduate and successful teacher with the Hopi Head Start, was honored with the NPC Outstanding Alumnus for Spring 2019 by Claude Endfield, a retired NPC faculty member.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Endfield shared that last March her family stopped in Bacavi to see a Kachina dance. “I heard Luci call my name. She said, “Claude, you are at my house.” It was a short reunion, during which Endfield got to meet some of Wytewa’s family.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Later while perusing social media, Endfield came across a picture of Wytewa letting a bald little girl cut off her waist length hair becoming bald to support her student through her sickness. Shortly after that Endfield received an email asking for nominations for the Outstanding Alumnus award. It was an easy decision to nominate Wytewa.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
“Through the years, I have worked with terrific educators,” said Endfield. “They are so good, so capable, so qualified and doing wonderful things for the children. Luci is an example of these committed and dedicated teachers of early education.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Wytewa took the award and said, “I feel really humble to be standing here because I did not come from a very good childhood either. But that was my motivation for helping children. I may not be perfect or the best ever, but I know my love for the children is there. My heart is with the children. This award means a lot to me and my family.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
In other business, the board also approved Lynn Browne-Wagner for Emeritus status.
/wp:paragraph
