by Evi Fromm

At the end of January, Bellbrook High School librarian Nancy Sumner will be stepping down from her role and entering a new chapter in her life: retirement.

Sumner began her journey at BHS in January of 1999 when she was hired by then-principal, Chuck Birkholtz. Since then, she has worked alongside many BHS staff members who have come and gone, including three head administrators, Chuck Birkholtz, Chris Baker, and current principal David Hann.

 “It will seem weird to not get up and come in here every day. I’ve been here so long,” Sumner said.

During her time at BHS, Sumner has created relationships with hundreds of student aides who have worked alongside her in the library.

“I will miss my aides most of all!” Sumner said. “I love them all and will miss them terribly! I still keep in touch with former aides. They invite me to their weddings and baby showers. I don’t have grandkids, so I kind of adopt my aides.”

In her spare time, Sumner and her husband enjoy going to concerts and restoring old automobiles.

 “We’re restoring a 1965 Dodge Travco RV, so when I’m done here, I’ll be helping with that,” Sumner said. “Then, we might just take off in it, drive across the country, and follow all our favorite bands. We love concerts! My husband has been retired for three years, so I’m looking forward to a constant ‘summer break’ with him!”

Amanda Brenner, current librarian at Winters Library in Bellbrook, will be taking her place. Her first day is January 25.

“I think Amanda will be AMAZING!! She is who I wanted from the beginning,” Sumner said. “She has her Masters in Library Information Sciences, and she’s been the Teen Librarian at Winters for quite a few years. She runs the Writing Club after school. She knows teens!”

Mrs. Sumner will be greatly missed by her students and coworkers alike.

“I have known and worked alongside Mrs. Sumner for over 20 years,” English teacher Aimee Klepacz said. “She has been instrumental in creating a safe and welcoming environment for our students, and I will miss her kind and generous spirit greatly!”

Sumner’s last day at BHS will be January 31.