By Matt Carlstrom
Round Table reporter

For Marda Blaine, volunteering is a part of life that comes naturally. Having worked in the Middletown school systems since her son, Matthew, who graduated from MHS in 2003, began kindergarten at Middletown Elementary School. She began helping her son’s teacher, Mrs. Zink who is now retired. She has stayed in the school system for a number of years.

“It was great working with Mrs. Zink, and having moved through all the schools, I’ve gotten to see several students go from toddling little kids in elementary school to the young adults they are now,” Blaine said.

Blaine has been volunteering in the Middletown schools for over twenty years and is one of the longest working volunteers that Middletown has had.

 “I’ve just been here the longest. When I began, they didn’t really have as much volunteering, but as soon as Matthew came to high school, I did as much as I could to stay involved in the school,” Blaine said. 

For Blaine, volunteering allowed her to both retain a connection to her son’s education and the community she loves. She, herself, graduated from MHS when it was still located at what is today’s Middletown Middle School.

 “I just love this school, this town, this community; I do as much as I can to help it and stay connected to it. I still go to Mr. Middletown, I just love Mr. Middletown.” said Blaine.

“I began working in the copy room when they started asking for volunteers. I’ve just continued working here after Cory, my youngest son, graduated in 2009. I love being here. The staff, faculty, everyone just makes me feel so welcome.”

With her constant volunteering, and through her other sons, Todd, and Cory’s time at MHS, Blaine has also seen the school change with the times.

One thing is for sure, Blaine will not stop doing what she loves, at least for some time. For now, she is content with working in such a wonderful place.

“It’s my way of giving back to the community that has given so much to me and my family. And anyway, I guess they can’t fire me!”