Spotlights

Wendy Jackson November 15, 2021

I graduated from Brentwood High School in 1985. I am proud to say that I am a generational graduate as my dad, Edward Holt, was a graduate, Class of 1958, as well as my sister, Candice Holt Wise, Class of 1990.

I am happily married and have been for 29 years. May 30, 2022 we will be married 30 years. My husband, Wayne, is the proud co-owner of Collier Bros Auto Body, one of the oldest black owned auto body shops in the country. It has been in existence for 75 years. I have three beautiful and talented children, Lorin (27), Sydney (24), and Dorrian (19). I am a proud wife and mother. My family is a gift, and I feel blessed to have them as part of my life.

My tenure at Brentwood High School was great. I enjoyed the Class of 1985 family. While at Brentwood, I participated in student council, French club, concert choir, played basketball, field hockey, ran track, and was a cheer leader. I really didn’t know what I was going to do when I graduated from high school. I thought I wanted to go into the arts; maybe an art teacher like my favorite teacher, Guy Sachs. I was encouraged to study business but really didn’t like it. I started my college education at Southern Illinois at Edwardsville. As it would be, I was blinded by a relationship that went sour and I didn’t finish my college education. I returned home and began working at an insurance company. I was there for 8 years and eventually I landed a position at Ritenour School District. I began working as a switchboard operator; then became a secretary in the curriculum and instruction department. In 2007, I transferred into the Human Resources department. I never thought I would find myself working in this department, but here it is 2021 and I am still here. It is in this department that I learned what my true calling was. I love to be a good resource and a help to people. When I started in this position I had no clue what the position of a human resources office professional entailed, but quickly learned and became pretty proficient. In 2021, I was recognized as Human Resources Office Professional of the Year by the Missouri Association of School Personnel Administrators. This was the first time the award has been given. I am humbled by this recognition and wanted to share this with my high school alums. (An article submitted by Wendy is on the BAA website.)
Sincerely,
Wendy (Holt) Jackson 1985
Go Eagles!

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