Every day at Buena High School, dozens of students pass through the front office, whether on a visit to their counselor, checking in with the health office, checking out with attendance or getting questions answered by student services. While it may seem like a small stop on a busy school day, the office would not run as smoothly as it does now without its dedicated staff. 

For Counselor Secretary Geneva Vega, the job is more than paperwork and messages. It is about the people that she sees every day. 

“I have worked here for eleven years as a school service assistant and a counselor secretary,” Vega said. “I help with the student flow, and I try to make it easier for them to see their counselors so they can get the [support] they need.”

Over the years, her role has become essential. She is the first face students see as they walk into the office, and she welcomes them with a smile. Vega plays a key role in translating for Spanish-speaking families, making sure communication is clear and inclusive. Having worked with school districts since 1988, she has grown to love helping students and families, and her motivation comes from the students themselves.  

“I don’t like seeing kids fight or be sad; [however], I’m so thankful when I see students come in and smile at me. It really makes my job worth the time,” Vega said.

Vega brings joy not only to students but to staff around her, especially in office traditions such as “Fatty Fridays,” which is a potluck that happens at the end of each month to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and achievements together. One thing that makes the office run as smoothly as it does is the community that is fostered among the staff.

Behind the scenes, the attendance office also plays a crucial role in keeping track of every student’s presence on campus. Attendance technician Robin Todarello, who works alongside Dawn Whiteford, explained that they are responsible for “managing the attendance for all students and data entries for the school district.”

However, their responsibilities go far beyond tracking absences; they help with school transfers and calculate all attendance data that is then sent to the district. Yet again, what stands out with most of the office is their teamwork.

“We all work together and support each other. If there is anything big that needs to get done, we all chip in as a team,” Todarello said.

After working in various roles for 18 years, Todarello realized how much she missed interacting with the students. So, when the opportunity arose to work at Buena, she jumped on it. 

The shared passion for students is something all office staff agreed on. The best part of their jobs is seeing the students and helping them

succeed.

School services assistant Amanda Vannly also wears many hats throughout the day. 

“I am a support to the admin. I help plan graduation and reserve facilities. I help students with classroom displacement, I try to answer any questions students may have, and I help answer the phones, among many other responsibilities,” Vannly said. 

As a Buena alumna, Vannly feels a strong connection to the school community. 

“You gain a connection with the students who come up to the counter, and I love being able to support those students,” Vannly said. “Obviously, we have our individual duties, but we try to have a team mindset as one of the many staff teams Buena offers.”

At the center of it all is office manager Rikki Jimenez, who ensures everything runs efficiently. With 18 years of experience in the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD), she oversees daily operations, from managing budgets and payroll to making sure substitute teachers are in place. 

Jimenez also coordinates a wide range of roles, including attendance clerks, records technicians, counselor secretaries, and support staff. Despite the complexity, she keeps the focus on creating a welcoming environment. 

 “Our culture is positive energy, teamwork, and supporting each other as best we can while providing quality customer service to parents and students,” Jimenez said.

The office is more than just a workplace; it is a place of belonging. From managing attendance records to supporting students emotionally, Buena’s office staff play a vital role in daily student life. While their hard work often happens behind the scenes, their impact is felt by every student who walks through the door.