Page 6 - cedar trails yearbook digital version-2 2019-2020

Jeremy O’Dell

The thing that strikes me the most about Mr. O’Dell is that he is not your typical accoun-
tant type of person. While most accountants seem to be more comfortable with num-
bers than with people, this is not the case with Mr. O’Dell. He enjoys being with other
people and has a particular interest in the well being of our students. He would regu-
larly show up in the hallways of our school with donuts or other treats, sharing them
with the students he would meet along his way. A student could not pass him without a
“How’s it goin’?” and a smile.

Another unique un-accountant like feature Mr. O’Dell has, is his ability to look beyond
the numbers and figures to see a bigger picture. While it is important to him to “balance
the books” he would not let the immediate bottom line before him keep him from look-
ing at other possibilities, for a bottom line that would not only be good for the school,
but that would make it even better for the students and the staff. Not only that, but he
is always thinking of new ways to do things, or different ways to do things, or just new
things to try.

For Mr. O’Dell, his love for this school and the people who are part of it, is the driving
force that allowed him to be an important contributing member of this school’s admin-
istration for 11 years, far longer than any recent VP of Finance this school has had. Al-
though he has moved on to another position outside of our school, I know his heart is
still here.

- Lee Richards