Student Services Technician Katherine Barela retires

Story by Noah Kuhn & Lilian Zhu
Staff Writers

Photo by Jayden Eden
Staff Photographer

Student Services Technician Katherine Barela officially retired on Friday, Nov. 15. Barela worked at SPHS for 20 years, acting as a liaison between the administration and students and dealing with topics ranging from discipline to community service.

Barela originally joined the Tiger staff in 1999, using her 16 years of financial experience in the role of ASB student bank advisor. After two years, she moved from to the position of technician to the assistant principal of student services.

Barela’s favorite part of her tenure at SPHS was interacting with students and watching them grow.

“Working with administrators and student services has allowed me to embrace teenage youth,” Barela said. “I’ve learned a lot from them. The students and the youth are what have kept me here. They help me feel young, and I always say that student services is the second happiest place on earth.”

The Albuquerque native plans to spend her full retirement back in her hometown, but looks forward to coming back to South Pasadena to visit.

Barela will be replaced by Patti Luna, who previously worked as the attendance clerk at SPMS for 11 years.

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