ALUMNI NEWS

Today I Made Life Better

Sue Haener proudly alerted us to the fact that Edith Veniegas '96 was featured in advertisements for Legacy Hospitals in print, on bus signs, billboards and television. Edith is currently a labor and delivery registered nurse at Legacy Meridian Park Hospital. We caught up with her recently on a day off to ask the following questions:

What do you like best about your job? Being part of a happy time in people's lives.

What do you like least about your job? Being tired all the time.

Why nursing? It was my parents' suggestion. Two aunts are nurses and my parents said it would be a good career with good income.

What did your parents see that made them suggest nursing? “Good parents know their kids.”

Why labor and delivery? I did a preceptorship at Meridian Park that involved working 10 - 12-hour shifts. I really liked the work and the people. I got an on-call position after graduation. That was my foot in the door to getting offered a full time position.

What would be your first choice for a new career? Pharmacist – I like chemistry, my mom is a chemist.

What are the ways your SSMO school experience have influenced your life? I definitely received a well rounded education. I was well prepared for college, especially with writing and study skills.

What stands out in your mind about that education? I loved science and math at Valley. I had thought I wasn't very good, but Sister Diana Frances was a good math teacher in sixth grade so I started to like it. Sister Adele Marie really made it all make sense in middle school. Mr. Johnson is an excellent teacher. I loved going to the board in his class to solve problems. I also loved English - Mrs. Burke, Mrs. Duncan and Mrs. Karlin were all really good teachers. Mr. Braun was a great teacher of religion and theology. He had great topics to discuss and had a 5-10 minute quiet time with music at the beginning of the period so students could calm down and focus on the subject.

Other schools/universities you've attended and why? University of Portland. I really wanted the college experience with dorm life. The nursing program is very good. UP was a good transition from Valley Catholic because it, too, is small and still kind of personal.

Who is your favorite Sister of St. Mary of Oregon ? Sister Maureen – she was a mentor during junior and senior years when I was involved with student council.

How about favorite SSMO campus school teacher? I'd have to name three: Mrs. Duncan, Sister John Therese, Sister Juliana.

Favorite movie? “Band of Brothers” - very important historical portrayal – loved Mr. McQueen's classes.

Most influential book? Jane Austen's “Pride and Prejudice” - loved the irony and symbolism.

Favorite restaurant? Harborside

Favorite vacation spot? Vail

Favorite way to spend free time? Skiing, relaxing, catching up on sleep – love night shift but not sleep deprivation.

Fondest SSMO campus memory? Graduation – lots of feelings: great feeling of accomplishment, sad, happy, scared, proud.

Valley Catholic School friends you stay in touch with ? Kelly Haener, Scott Greene, Devon Wold, Jake Werner, Matt Clark and Chris Reynolds.

Edith recently made contact with Kathleen Parry, administrator at Maryville Nursing Home on the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon campus, to offer her services as a volunteer.

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