Timberlake’s Sorahan honored

After opening the doors to the school just four weeks ago, Timberlake Junior High head custodian Tim Sorahan has been honored as February’s Outstanding School Employee of the Month. Sorahan was nominated by seventh-grader Brett Trumbich, who wrote that “Tim is the best janitor I have ever met and my best friend. He has always been there and has always cheered me up.”

Brett declined to read his essay out loud to the assembly, but as soon as the honoree was revealed, the students erupted into a thunderous applause. Brett said that Sorahan has made him feel welcome at the new school, and even explained in his essay that Sorahan gave all the students a tour of the junior high and explained how everything worked, from the computer connections to the lights, water and heaters.

Sorahan worked at Lakeland Junior High for more than four years before switching to the new school, which results in a shorter commute for him. Before working for the Lakeland School District, he achieved the rank of master sergeant during his years in the Army, 1978 to 1997.

“I applied to come up here when I knew the school was being built,” Sorahan said. “None of the kids know me other than since we’ve been here. I’ve just intermingled with them to the point where they know who I am.”

Sorahan said he loves kids, and has a daughter and grandson of his own.

He said he worked with Georgeanne Griffith, the junior high’s principal, for four years at Lakeland, so he knows her likes and dislikes.

“It’s a challenge to get a new school, because there’s a lot there to take care of,” Sorahan said.

There are two night custodians, but he is the one who the students see. So when a student’s book bag goes missing, they look to him for help.

“Besides the principal, I make things happen around here,” he said.

For his winning essay, Brett received $20. Sorahan received a plaque, a bag of goodies and two free lunches. His name will appear on the Numerica Credit Union and Parker Toyota reader boards during March. Numerica, Horace Mann Insurance and Parker Toyota are the sponsors of the Outstanding School Employee of the Month program.

Craft show next Saturday

Lake City High School will hold its third annual spring craft show next Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school.

Admission is $1. The event features hundreds of unique items, a raffle, bake sale and lunch. For more information or booth rental, call 769-0769 or 667-2644. All proceeds benefit the senior class.

Student Exchange Program

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is seeking local host families for boys and girls from a variety of countries around the world. The students are ages 15 to 18 and are coming to our area for the upcoming high school year or semester. The students are conversant in English, bright, curious and anxious to learn about this country.

Each ASSE student is fully insured, brings his or her own personal spending money and expects to bear his or her share of household responsibilities as well as being included in normal family activities and lifestyles.

If you are interested in obtaining more information about becoming a host family, call (800) 733-2773.