Following the 2024-25 academic year, five faculty members will leave Summit and enter retirement. The five staff members scheduled to depart are activities director Mitch Lefkowitz, Class of 2025 principal Josten Oglesby, Class of 2025 secretary Karen Hindrichs, math teacher Becky Marquart and gifted resource teacher Katherine Glaude-Bolt.
Oglesby, known for regularly donning his now-signature white KN95 mask and his more recent vocal performances at pep rallies, has worked at Summit for 25 years. He said the environment at Summit, both professionally and educationally, has been what has kept him coming back year after year.
“[My time at Summit has] been fantastic. That’s why I’ve stayed for 25 years, that’s why I’ve made that choice to stay. It’s a supportive environment, and that goes for students, that goes for teachers, that goes for all staff. I have no regrets, and I’m happy I’ve made the choice to stay,” Oglesby said.
Hindrichs said that retiring has put into perspective how long it has truly been since she started at Summit, with the length of her tenure coinciding with the ages of many of her seniors who are set to graduate this spring.
“I’ve been here for 18 years. When I think of that, I realize I’ve been here as long as my seniors have been alive. I’m happy to be ‘graduating’ with them,” Hindrichs said.
Lefkowitz, who has worked as a teacher, assistant principal and activities director throughout his 30 year career at Summit, said that teamwork is one of the most important things that the staff and students at Summit commit to.
“One word that could describe Rockwood Summit is ‘teamwork’. I think it’s teamwork amongst the staff and the coaches I work with, where everybody’s doing everything in their power to work together to provide the best education possible for our students. I see teamwork amongst our students, kind of in a similar manner, where I think that we’re all trying to work together and help each other to get as much success as possible,” Lefkowitz said.
Hindrichs said she hopes to be remembered for her positivity and willingness to help others.
“I’ve tried to make Summit a better place, in many ways. From being a friendly face for staff and students, helping out wherever I can, to doing little extra things around the school/office to make it look more professional and be a nicer environment. I hope I am remembered as being a friendly person who was always there for students and staff,” Hindrichs said.
Lefkowitz said that he hopes the bonds he has built will help him be thought of as someone who always represented Summit.
“A lot of it is about building relationships, and I’ve been able to do that over the course of my time, and I’d like to think that I did everything I could to represent Rockwood Summit in a positive manner,” Lefkowitz said.
Oglesby said that he believes his legacy will not be forgotten in a hurry.
“I think my legacy here is a strong one that is positive, and is not going to be easily forgotten,” Oglesby said.
