Each year, the opening faculty/staff meeting kicks off the school year and celebrates the people who work tirelessly to enrich the Nobles experience for the community. This year, Head of School Catherine J. Hall, Ph.D., presented Daryl Shumway with the Cora Hidalgo Holland Award, which recognizes a staff member whose work has been excellent, whose dedication has been exceptional, and whose character has made Nobles a better place in which to live and work. The annual award is named after Nobles parent Cora Hidalgo Holland, who was killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11.
Shumway joined the Nobles community in 2015 as the mechanic for all vehicles and equipment in the buildings and grounds department, but it was not long before his job description expanded. A talented carpenter with a background in construction, Shumway quickly became the go-to person for jobs that required a mechanic, a carpenter or just about anything in between. Whether he is renovating campus spaces, repairing crew boats and engines, or welding, Shumway supports the entire community. His kindness and his ability to problem-solve anything that comes his way are appreciated throughout campus. “Our family highlights Daryl as one of our boys’ role models on campus and our twins consider him one of our family’s closest friends,” shares Assistant Head of the Middle School Colette Finley.
“Daryl has been an invaluable member of the Nobles community,” says Dr. Hall. “Immensely talented, he is equally hard-working and kind. Daryl’s tremendous work ethic, skill, growth mindset, and eagerness to make a difference in our Nobles community make him a clear choice to be this year’s Cora Holland Award winner.”
Director of Buildings and Grounds Mike McHugh echoes this sentiment: “He is truly amazing with his knowledge and skill set. He is one of those people who if he reads about it or you show him once, can be an expert at it. What he has brought to this department in terms of value is incredible. There is nothing he cannot fix or build. I wish Nobles had 10 Daryl’s.”