Vicky Yum retires to Arizona
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After almost 40 years of working for the district and 12 years as Business and Activities office manager, Vicky Yum officially retired on Dec. 7. She plans to move to Kingman, Arizona, where her house is being built.
“[The house] should be ready in April, and during that time [my husband and I] are going to [go] through all the stuff in my house to walk out, throw away, donate, and all that,” Yum said. “Just getting ready for that, and I’ll be happy to explore Arizona and travel. ”
Yum started her career at the group sales department of Universal Studios and later came to work at the school district. After years of working as a risk manager, she was then offered an office managing job for the school.
“I’m really happy I made the choice to come to San Gabriel. I’ve been having a really fun time with the student interns [and] student aides I’ve had over the years, teaching them office procedures,” Yum said. “It’s a real learning factor even though it’s not academic stuff, but it’s stuff you’re going to have to do when you get out in the work field.”
The Business and Activities office is considered by many to be the heart of the school, handling parking, campus permits, field trips, sports scheduling, room bookings, and bus transportation.
Office technician and close friend Beda Ramirez calls Yum a “jack of all trades.”
“She does a lot for our school, and we’re really happy that she came to us… I don’t know how we’re going to replace her,” she said.
Another close friend, Dena Monsevais, student banker, also recognizes her as an important member of the community.
“It’s been a bittersweet journey,” Monsevais said. “She’s going to be missed [by] all of us. As far as her leaving, she’s done the best job. She has really helped with a lot of things here in the bank. [She] was always willing to give a helping hand.”
Students share the same sentiments, regarding Yum as a great mentor.
“I’m sad that I won’t get food anymore,” student intern senior Sharon Tu said, “but I’m happy for her because she’s been working for so long, and she deserves to relax.”
Student intern senior Jesse Fan is happy for Yum, but says he will miss her.
“I’m pretty upset [that she’s leaving],” he said. “That’s why it’s kind of hard for all of us that she’s leaving. She’s taught me to be more responsible and to be more prepared.”
Although she is saying goodbye as an office manager, Yum says she will still be around to help out and chaperone until April.
“I want to thank ASB, yearbook, and the newspaper for all the fun and controversial articles that they’ve done,” she said. “Yearbook has done a fantastic job with their designs, and ASB has always been a great group to work with. The other students: FBLA kids, PODER kids, the Medical Career Academy, and Key Club. All those kids are great kids. I really enjoyed working with them and I hope those that our seniors will remember me.”
