At least once, you’ve entered the office or library needing some sort of assistance, and someone was there to help you out. Tina Lentz, Tammy Burno, Lynne Maynard and Paula Barron are just four of the smiling faces behind the desks, and you’ve most likely exchanged in conversation with them several times.  

In the past year, four new secretaries have been hired at or transferred to Southern Lehigh High School. However, these individuals are much more than hard workers. They each have unique identities. Southern Lehigh students can’t claim they have much knowledge about the pixie-haired grandmother in the library, the woman with sparkling eyes who answers phones, the blonde part time worker in the office, or Mr. Lilley’s smiley new secretary. There’s a plethora of traits embedded in these secretaries we see daily that have gone unnoticed by the students. Well, unnoticed until now.

Tammy Burno

It’s not surprising that Mrs. Tammy Burno lives by the words “always wear a smile.” However, for kids at Southern Lehigh, it might seem surprising that the bubbly woman is a major Pink Floyd and Kiss fan. The attendance keeper and secretary to Mrs. Guarriello treasures animals and animal rights.

When she’s not at school enjoying high school students and their hilarious stories, you might find her working out or spending time with family. The busy mom of two girls even coaches youth cheerleading. Along with being confident, passionate, and outgoing, she is also quirky and humorous. She embraces all that she is and all that she aspires to be — including her eccentric talents.

“This is so embarrassing. Promise me you won’t laugh, OK?” Mrs. Burno said. “I can say the fifty states in alphabetical order in under a minute. I learned it in third grade, and I never forgot it.”

Lynne Maynard

Not many people can say they enjoy math. However, Mrs. Lynne Maynard can honestly say she loves it. The baker who recently came to Southern Lehigh in June after a ten-year break from working can shock us all with her incredible passion for numbers. A highly intellectual accountant, she impresses everyone she meets with her photographic memory and optimistic attitude.

While Mrs. Maynard is professional, she’s also punk. The fun-loving entertainer jams out to rock music whenever she gets the chance. Need new musicians to listen to? She recommends Volbeat, her favorite band out of Denmark, and has another piece of advice too.

“Always try to find happiness,” Mrs. Maynard said.

She has found her own happiness right here at Southern Lehigh, doing what she’s always enjoyed, and continues to enjoy everyday: working with numbers in accounting.

Tina Lentz

Mrs. Tina Lentz is not just the library secretary; she’s also an antiquarian who adores arts and crafts, and even plays the bells. Before transferring to the high school this fall, she worked at Lower Milford for twenty-two years, where she cherished every second spent with elementary children. Though somewhat intimidated by high school students upon her arrival, she’s learned to love us.

Caitlin Roth

“I love kids. I love you guys,” Mrs. Lentz said. “I am really finding this to be fun.”

Paula Barron

Most recently, on October 5, Southern Lehigh welcomed Mrs. Paula Barron, secretary to assistant principal Mr. Lilly. As Mrs. Barron’s learned, coming to a new school means adapting to new faces and routines.

However, the movie lover is as happy as can be, surrounded by the lush fields of Southern Lehigh. Because she previously worked at an elementary school in Allentown, high schoolers are a huge adjustment for her, but she invites the change with open arms.

“[Before] I got to see kids crying to start school,” Mrs. Barron said. “Now I see them crying to leave it.”

Find Friendships

All of the secretaries of Southern Lehigh High School possess unique characteristics. Don’t let the desk they sit behind be a barrier to a delightful friendship.

“Don’t be afraid to come in and see me to ask questions,” Tammy Burno said. “Making connections with the students is the best part of the job.”