NEDERLAND - Janet Turnburke has retired from Nederland Middle-Senior High School (NMSHS). 

For 14 years she was the athletic director’s assistant, she took care of attendance, and worked in the front office. These tasks are not easy. They led her to know every student and family in the school in some way. 

Janet, as she is known to everyone at school, was the face we often saw when we entered NMSHS.

As the assistant to the athletic director she was the contact with other schools when it came to athletics. 

NMSHS Vice Principal and Athletic Director Sean DePaula said that when he started at NMSHS and attended his first athletic directors’ meeting, he was told by others there that he had the best assistant, and how lucky he was. He had only worked with Janet for a few weeks at that point, but he soon found out how right they were. 

DePaula adds, “I am very grateful that I have been able to work with her. She’s on top of everything – posting jobs, interviews, hiring, coach’s requirements, game workers, buses, eligibility, registration, end-of-season awards – you name it. Janet is reliable, and because of her, I have very little to worry about. Janet is amazing.”

Janet’s was one of the first voices everyone would hear in the morning at school, reading the morning announcements. 

Janet’s daughter attended Nederland schools from 1st grade until she graduated from Nederland High School in 2011. So when Janet was hired at NMSHS 14 years ago she was already familiar with the school. The loss of her institutional knowledge will leave a big hole in the school’s effectiveness.

Office Manager Aimee Tomlinson said, “Janet knows so much of the history about why we do things a certain way, or what has worked or has not worked in the past. We are going to miss out on that history. She knows everyone and everyone knows her and she is a fixture in the front office. It will be different without her.”

Tomlinson added, “Janet keeps it real and keeps us grounded. I am going to miss being able to go into her office and chat about all that’s going on. I’ll miss her loud laugh! She does the best morning announcements and especially with announcing our team at home games. She’s the best announcer around! 

“I want to thank Janet for teaching me all these years and I wish her the happiest of retirements! I hope she gets to do a lot of travelling but I also hope we still get to see her sometimes at school.”

We cannot talk about Janet Turnburke without mentioning the way she announced the Panther players at home games. The gravel in her voice, the way she sustained a vowel or a consonant at the right time and creating the right rhythm, and finding the perfect volume and pitch…perfection! It always cultivated more enthusiasm in the crowd and evoked more energy in the players. 

I was blown away the first time I heard Janet announcing the starting players. It was at a girls’ basketball game some years ago. I thought how amazing that a small school had someone who was so good at that and was willing to do it. I always saw it as a gift to the students and the school. Thank you, Janet, for sharing your voice and enthusiasm with us. 

DePaula said, “I’m going to miss you a lot next year, but you will always be welcomed back to work our games and announce those starting lineups. Nobody announces a starting lineup like you.”

In her own words, Janet said that she is going to miss many things at NMSHS. She will miss being a part of the school community and knowing all the students’ names. She feels that her most memorable moments have been “announcing games, watching our athletes compete, morning announcements with the daily joke, and all the great people I’ve met and worked with along the way. It is such a joy to be around all the growing aspiring young people in our community.”

When asked what she has learned over the years, she responded with “Every parent is doing their very best, and when it comes to our children we all have some Momma bear in us. Nederland has fabulous children that are full of imagination, zest for life, and the drive to succeed. I’ve also learned that everything isn’t black or white – there is a lot of color in between.”

When August arrives, Janet is looking forward to sleeping past 5:30 a.m. She will enjoy the freedom of being able to travel at any time during the year, as her daughter lives in Hermosa Beach, California, and she wants to visit there more frequently. She wants to see more of that California sun. 

Happy travels – you have earned it. 

From a journalist’s perspective: Thank you, Janet, for being one of my contacts at NMSHS to get information about athletics. You have always been consistent and gracious. You made my work easier and I have enjoyed working with you. 

From a parent’s perspective: I am extremely grateful to you. We are going to miss you. 

On May 22, 2025, Janet gave her last Daily Announcement. These are also sent out to parents every morning. To Nederland Middle-Senior High School she said, “Have a fabulous and safe summer, Panthers – I will miss you all next year! I hope you grow up to have an unforgettable life and make a difference!”

Janet, you have made a positive difference in so many lives at NMSHS and we will miss you.

Congratulations and warmest wishes on your retirement.