Mount Si students and staff gather this Sunday, Feb. 19, to honor and remember a woman known for putting the high school’s best foot forward.

“She was a huge presence here,” Principal John Belcher said of the late Valerie Meyers. “She is basically the reason why I think our front office has a reputation for being supportive and welcoming and helpful.”

Meyers worked in the Mount Si High School main office, acting as receptionist for visitors, and the school’s athletic secretary. She died Thursday, Feb. 9, of complications from a heart condition.

News of her death spread quickly through the student body, Belcher said, and Friday morning, he gathered staff to share the news and discuss how the school would help grieving students. The school implemented a crisis response plan, bringing in grief counselors to assist the existing counseling staff, and reserving the auditorium as a drop-in site for students to grieve together.

Belcher wasn’t sure how many students talked with the counselors that day, but said he’s seen many students writing on the posters placed throughout the school.

Meyers’ husband Gregg is a teacher and coach at Mount Si, “so I think a lot of students focused their energy on how they’re going to support him,” Belcher said. As for the adults at the school, “We’re handling it the best we can.”

When Belcher looks into the main office, he usually sees students waiting to see an assistant principal. Meyers was always there to greet them.

“I just watched her connection with kids, she would talk to them, never lecture. She’d just say ‘You might want to think about that before you go in there…’ She related to every type of individual that walked through the door.”

• The memorial service for Val Meyers is at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, in the Mount Si High School auditorium. A reception will follow in the commons.