Dona Reynolds’ bright smile has brought joy to Fossil Ridge High school students and staff since 2017. 

Her positive attitude, kind nature and infectious personality are going to be missed dearly as she graduates into retirement.

“I’m gonna miss her morning cheer, cheerfulness, prime. She’s very welcoming in the morning. I can always depend on that every morning,” said Steven Leslie, Fossil’s hall monitor who works with Reynolds in the East Wing office. 

Before Reynolds started her tenure at Fossil she worked for an airline. She started off as cross utilized, doing everything flight attendant, working ticket counter and gates, loading up the plane and filling up carts.  

Reynolds has two children who graduated from Fossil. Seeing her kids in this atmosphere, she realized she loved it and thought she might enjoy being a part of it. Seeing that there was a front desk position and she applied. 

“I loved the atmosphere. I liked the vibe that Fossil had,” Reynolds said. In 2017, she started working at the Front Office then moved to the West Wing. Since covid she has worked in the East Wing. 

Reynolds is embracing retirement to fully dedicate herself to being a grandmother, as her daughter recently welcomed her third child. 

“So I just want to make sure that I can be a part of that and make good memories with them that they can carry on throughout their life,” Reynolds said. 

Junior Alison Bakke, who has a strong relationship with Reynolds, sees her as a role model and a trusted resource inside of the school.

“Almost like a mother-daughter,” Bakker said about their relationship. “I know I can count on her so she’s someone that I trust.”