By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

USD 489 staff member Debbie Barnett was honored with the Hays school district’s Best of the Best award for November at the school board meeting Monday night.

Barnett, Hays High counselor secretary, was nominated by Suellyn Stenger, HHS counselor.

Debbie Barnett is “often the first person to welcome new students and their families to Hays High,” Stenger said, “and she is always very pleasant and helpful.

“Debbie multitasks more efficiently than anyone I have had the pleasure of working with. She remains positive no matter the demands placed upon her. Debbie’s attention to detail is second to none. I have been told everyone is replaceable, but I beg to differ in this situation.”

Stenger said Barnett’s responsibilities are too numerous to list. She also assists the school psychologist, school nurse, staff and administrators.

“She is often the initial the contact for students and parents who are distressed,” Stenger said, “and she handles every situation very calmly.”

Stenger added Barnett is professional and understands the importance of student confidentiality.

“The counseling office would simply not be as efficient without Debbie Barnett. She is the Best of the Best,” Stenger said.

Lucy Tippy, Lincoln fifth-grader, was honored as the student Best of the Best.

She was nominated by her teacher, Taylor Reynolds.

“Lucy is such a light to have in my classroom,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds read her nomination letter.

“Lucy is a very bright student and goes above and beyond to help other students around her,” she said. “She is constantly asking the classroom teacher if she is able to help anyone who may not understand something. She spends all of her free time making sure her peers understand the assignment.

“She is always smiling and has a bright and happy energy about her that makes her light up a room. She just walks in the room, and she is always smiling and making funny jokes and just makes the classroom just that much better. I love having her in my class.”