Attendance Secretary Carrie Bogad has been named Staff Member of the Month for May. 

Each month, teachers are asked to nominate a staff member they think fits one of South’s PROUD principles. Teachers named Bogad for being dependable and purposeful. 

Bogad is in her second full year at South. Her duties this year include managing attendance and organizing field trips, coordinating substitutes, and handling daily logistics. 

She is often at the center of the school’s operations, according to colleague Natalie Mertens.

“She gets everything done, usually ahead of schedule or on time. Carrie is on it, and she gets it done lickety-split fast,” Mertens said.

Mertens also emphasized the strong partnership they share, describing their working relationship as efficient, supportive, and fun.

“We’re a great team; I can’t ask for a better partner,” she said. 

However, the contributions Bogad has made extend past just being a source of organization; she is also a very personable student resource, according to her daughter, senior Addie Bogad.

“My mom is very dependable because I know we can always go to her if we’re having a rough day, or if we just need a break from school and all the stress,” she said. 

Addie said her mom’s office in the Welcome Center has even become a bit of a haven, complete with a well-loved candy jar that draws in students throughout the day.

Having a parent at school can come with its ups and downs, but Addie noted that the positives outweigh the negatives. 

“If I have a question or need a break, I can go visit her,” she said.

For Mrs. Bogad, working in the same building as her daughter has been a meaningful experience. 

“She’s busy as a senior, so this allows me to see her a little bit more during the day,” she said. 

Beyond her role as a mother, Mrs. Bogad said she values the opportunity to connect with students. 

“I really enjoy being around and getting to know students that I didn’t know before,” she said. “It’s fast-paced, similar every day, but always something different.”

Her work with teenagers has also given her a valuable perspective as a parent. She explained that being around students helps her understand that many challenges her daughter faces are common, offering reassurance and insight.

One of Mrs. Bogad’s proudest accomplishments this year came during a particularly challenging stretch when Mertens was out for eight weeks. With additional support from Matt Brown, Mrs. Bogad helped keep everything running smoothly. 

“We survived that,” she said.

When asked about receiving the Staff Member of the Month award, Mrs. Bogad expressed genuine gratitude. 

“Completely surprised and appreciative; thank you to whoever nominated me,” she said. “I really enjoy being around and getting to know students; it’s always something different.”