The Peru Gazette

Onterrio LaDuke stopped and talked

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Stephanie Ormsby is #4 in our Peru Gazette photo series featuring people who make Peru a wonderful place to live.

For many of the people who bring children to Peru Elementary School’s grade 3-6 entrance, Stephanie Ormsby’s warm greeting is a wonderful way to start the day. Each morning, during good weather and bad, she’s at the school’s front entrance greeting drivers and children with a bright smile and an enthusiastic wave. It was difficult taking photos Wednesday morning because so many boys and girls wanted to give her a hug or to say a few words to her. When a student and her dad arrived on a motorcycle, Stephanie waved to the dad and then joined the student to wave goodby as he drove away and a second and third time as he traveled down Pleasant Street.

Elementary Principal Matt Slattery is very aware of Stephanie’s work saying, “We all appreciate the positivity, optimism and friendly disposition Stephanie brings to the start of each day.”

Many people send Stephanie thank you notes or just say “thank you for being so nice.” When people ask how she keeps such a positive attitude she responds, “Why wouldn’t I?” She does admit that during the snowy and rainy days being so nice can be challenging. She commented, “I hate getting my hair wet!”

L-R Zoey Snider, Stephanie, Nora Mesec, Cierra LaDuke, Natalie Baker

Stephanie greets Haleigh Herringshaw

Stephanie Ormsby has been a Peru Elementary School teaching assistant for 22 years and has been greeting everyone at the school’s front entrance for the past five years.