Jeanne Fernbaugh Souder '64
Loyalty to Mechanicsburg High School
Jeanne A. Fernbaugh grew up in and attended Mechanicsburg High School as a member of the Class of 1964. From the moment she entered high school to this very day, she has been a positive influence on people and is an activist for Mechanicsburg. As Cyndi Kauffman Howard noted, “I met Jeanne when I was twelve years old at the Arcona Girl Scout Camp. She was filling in as a nurse and I got to know both her and her daughter. After that, our friendship continued, and she became both a mentor and role model for me. I can truly say it is because of her that I am the person I am today.” That kind of testimony can be found among others who live in Mechanicsburg and have interacted with Jeanne.
Following high school, Jeanne attended the Carlisle Hospital School of Practical Nursing in 1965. She graduated a year later as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
In 1972 Jeanne was hired part time, at the Mechanicsburg Jr. High School as a nurse aide when the school nurse was in another building. The next year her position became full-time and included doing the attendance and working in the nurse’s office. She continued to work at the Junior High/Middle School until her retirement in June of 2009. During
that time, she became heavily involved in many activities. Highlights of activism include but are not limited to,
- Coached the Mechanicsburg Middle School Cheerleaders into the late 1970s
- Supervised the Student Council from 1998 to 2009. Helped organize cancer walks, the overnighters, the school store and took the student council to district and state conferences
- Team Leader for the Student Assistance Team 1989-2009
- Became involved with the Environmental Center
- Helped with the Girl Scouts program
- Helped with the CCD for St. Joseph’s Church
- Served on the Wildcat Foundation
- Served on the 1976 Mechanicsburg Bi-Centennial Committee
- Active with Jubilee Day and Community Day in the borough
- Serves on the Mechanicsburg Alumni Association/organizes the Annual Dinner Meeting
- Active in the Mechanicsburg Museum Association
Jeanne currently lives in the Mechanicsburg Borough with her husband, Ronald, of fifty-seven years. They have one daughter, Shelley, Class of 1985 and two grown granddaughters, Jullian and Alyssa. She was nominated by Cyndi Kauffman Howard, Class of 1981.
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