“…to find the best in others/to leave the world a bit better…/to know even one life has breathed easier/because you have lived./This is to have succeeded.”

            This excerpt of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Success” decorates the nurse’s office among other adornments like comic strips and photographs.  Margee Mangus lives by these words every day.

        Mangus has worked as a nurse since college.  Beginning her career as a hospital nurse, left her job when she had children, and continuing to help out at their schools often. “[Nursing] is the perfect job for a mom,” Mangus said.

        When invited by Dr. Brewer to work as the nurse for Dominion High School, Mangus accepted.  “I knew that Dr. Brewer was going to open the kind of school I would want my sons to attend...  If you love what you do than you’ll never work a day in your life, and I love what I do,” Mangus said. 

        “I’m honoured to be here, and I’m happy that students allow me to touch their lives,” Mangus said.

            Mangus is known in the school for the blood drives and other charitable events she organizes.  “I feel like I can make an impact on people whether as a nurse, as a mom, or as a person.”  Mangus goes above and beyond the expectations of her job. 

            “My decision to start volunteering was an easy one.  I don’t feel obligated in any way.  It is just something I love to do,” Mangus stated.

            “The blood drives [Mangus] puts on are very good...  She saves lives,” said junior, Katie Miller.  “She is just a really wonderful lady.”

            “A friendly face can work miracles… I want to make [the nurse’s office] a welcoming place for students,“ said Mangus said.

            “Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our lives, we don’t think about others, and about how they live,” Mangus said.  “Some students don’t have computers, or the resources to buy poster board or any other materials they need for school, and when they don’t do well, it’s not from lack of trying.”

            “Mrs. Mangus is not a regular nurse.  She works much harder and does so much more for the students, and the community, than any nurse I’ve ever had,” said sophomore Sindy Ho.  “She genuinely cares about everyone.”