Her desk behind the glass at the entrance to Eugene High School is the first stop for many students each morning during the school year.
Sometimes they're looking for answers, but more often they simply want to share what's going on in their lives with secretary Vonda Berendzen.
She arrives much earlier to respond to messages left overnight. That frees her up for all the phone calls she receives throughout the day.
But it's the students who are her first priority. When they come to the counter, her attention turns to taking care of them.
"Many think of Vonda as their mom away from home," said Cynthia Wibberg, director of special services.
Berendzen responded: "I don't mind that; it feels good when they confide in me."
"Everybody loves Vonda," Wibberg said. "She's never in a bad mood.
"For most kids, she's a stable rock in their lives."
The beginning and the end of the school year are the most hectic times.
"The middle part is smooth sailing," Berendzen said.
She enjoys watching students become involved and enthusiastic with special events and activities throughout the year at her alma mater.
For many years, she has helped with the parent-led, Project Prom committees and the overnight event itself.
"It's a neat night; I've never heard a complaint," Berendzen said.
And Cancer Awareness Night, hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Relay for Life team, is a high priority for her.
"In this small community, many have been affected," she said. "To see these kids get involved with such an outpouring of love, it brings tears to my eyes."
She's also the gatekeeper at ball games.
This is the first year for Berendzen to come to work from her "empty nest," now that her youngest daughter has graduated.
So she expects she might be spending even more time at school.
Eighteen years ago, Berendzen was hired by the school district as a secretary to the counselor and later to the special services director.
"My daughter started kindergarten here the same year; but she's 23 and gone," she said.
This is her 12th year at the high school.
"I'd go wherever they put me," Berendzen said. "I love it here."
Unlike her previous job with a health insurance provider, no two days are alike running a high school office.
"It keeps you young," she said.
But she's not the stereotypical secretary, who might wait on a boss hand and foot.
"And I don't make coffee," she said.
Technology has brought many change during nearly two decades.
Carbon copies and a typewriter has been replaced with computer-aided forms.
Although the initial transition was out of her comfort zone, Berendzen relies on the systems today.
"Even the telephone is easier," she said, remembering when she was unable to transfer calls.
There's no more paper attendance and immediate, special notices, like school cancellations, are made with a click of the mouse.
And parents can easily find more information about their student's classroom performance at the online portal.
"Technology has made my life easier," she said. "I'm not smart at it; but I'm a hands-on person.
"If you can show me, I can learn it."
"She wears many hats, but she has to in a small school," Wibberg said. "She's a whole bunch of things wrapped up in one."
To that, Berendzen said, "I'm just me."