Sartell Schools Employee Receives Love (And Cake) At Special Birthday Party

(KNSI) – Sartell-St. Stephen Middle School threw a special birthday party on Thursday.

Mary Lou Westra began working in the district in January 2002 and is now a lunchroom supervisor. What’s unique is that her career with the district began in her golden years. Westra is 95 years old. Interim Superintendent Tom Lee says Westra has the most important quality you could find in a school worker.

“I started the school year with staff talking about the importance of having a positive attitude. And all the staff received something called attitude from me and it starts with, “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.” Mary Lou, obviously you had an extremely positive “can do” type of attitude.”

Lee spoke at the ceremony, noting that the importance of how you attack the day is a trait you appreciate more the older you get.

Sartell Middle School Principal Angela Safran also wished her the happiest of birthdays. “Ten words to describe Mary Lou. So here’s what they are: Lovely, respected, wise, dedicated, funny, joyful, sharp, tiny…but fierce, and finally, loved.”

Safran joked that she wanted to use 95 adjectives for Westra but settled for ten. Students, faculty, the mayors of both Sartell and St. Stephen, and the district’s interim superintendent were all on hand for the event.

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