By Janet Cruz

After more than three decades serving students, staff and families in the Lake Havasu Unified School District, a longtime front office employee at Thunderbolt Middle School, Sue Blanchard, is preparing to retire.

Blanchard first moved to Lake Havasu City in August 1989, with the goal of working for the school district.

With no openings available at the time, she began as a substitute teacher’s aide in January 1990 to get her foot in the door.

Soon after, she was brought into the district office as a substitute in the personnel department before being hired full time in the Special Education Department, assisting the special education director.

In July 1992, she transferred to the front office at Lake Havasu Junior High School.

When Thunderbolt Middle School opened in January 1994, she joined the campus and remained there for the rest of her career.

Before moving to Arizona, she worked for eight years in customer service in the private sector before deciding she wanted a more meaningful career. She later accepted a position as an attendance clerk at Temple City High School, where she worked for two years prior to relocating to Lake Havasu City.

“I felt that working in a school would be more rewarding,” said Blanchard. “I was right, it was more rewarding. I have no regrets.”

Now approaching retirement, she said the transition brings a range of emotions.

“I’m proud, grateful, overwhelmed and terrified,” Blanchard said. “I’m leaving my comfort zone and a job I’ve loved for half of my life.”

Although she does not yet have firm retirement plans, she said she is looking forward to what comes next while reflecting on the relationships she built during her years at Thunderbolt.

Sue Blanchard at Thunderbolt Middle School. Photo courtesy Sue Blanchard

“The Thunderbolt staff is like family,” she said. “I’ll miss them terribly. I’ll also miss the interactions I’ve had with students and families throughout the years.”

One of the more remarkable aspects of her career is the number of students she has encountered over the years. She estimates that every student who has attended Thunderbolt Middle School crossed her path in some way.

“I have assigned every locker and looked at every registration,” Blanchard said. “That’s somewhere in excess of 25,000 students.”

As she prepares to leave the position, she said the relationships and sense of community have been the most rewarding part.

Photo courtesy Sue Blanchard

“It’s been a most rewarding career. I have been blessed and am leaving my position with a full heart.”

Blanchard hopes that if she is remembered for something, she is remembered as someone who led with compassion.

“I cared deeply and did my best to make a positive difference and lead by example with patience and kindness.”

Blanchard has been with the LHUSD  for 36 years total. She was also recently presented with a proclamation from Mayor Cal Sheehy.

Rivescene Magazine wishes Sue a Happy Retirement!