By Joe Morey
News Editor
An honoring event was held for Lorriane Gouge at the Hayward Middle School on Monday, Oct. 7, to recognize over 30 years of service in the Hayward Community School District to the students and the community. Most recently she served as home school coordinator. Lorraine was elected in June to the LCO Tribal Governing Board.
Superintendent Craig Olson said when he first met Lorraine 19 years ago she told him one of the biggest things you can do is make sure you treat everyone fairly.
“With Lorraine helping me and the great staff we’ve had we made some great gains over the years but those words always stuck with me,” Olson said. “Lorraine is dedicated. We have a lot of dedicated staff and teachers but Lorraine has gone above and beyond. She has been very dedicated to our community and more importantly, to our students.”
Olson shared how through the years Lorraine never came in to work tired. She never came in and complained, he continued. “She always came in with a smile on her face and talked consistently on how we’re going to get better. She always came up with solutions and ideas on how we were going to make it better,” Olson noted.
LCO Secretary-Treasurer Michelle Beaudin said the tribe is grateful for her 30 years of tireless and humble service in helping and supporting our native children, families, and community without ever looking for recognition or reward.
“Her impact has been generational in her tenure,” Beaudin said. “Her dedication to all areas of education is unprecedented in our community as well as going above and beyond to assist in preventing kids from dropping out with her empathic and understanding nature.”
Don Carley, TGB member, congratulated Lorraine. He stated she worked well over those years with the students, staff and administrators.
“Lorraine was very active in promoting our students and guiding them through school,” Carley said. “Her professionalism she provided and brought to the school and students will be missed.”
The TGB presented Lorraine with gifts and a certificate of appreciation.
Lorraine pictured with a plaque presented to her by the LCO Tribal Governing Board. TGB members above from L-R) Michelle Beaudin, Gary "Little Guy" Clause, and Glenda Barber.
