Six and a half years is a long time to fight, especially for your life. Kay Kaiser, the guidance secretary at Pleasant Valley High School, has been through many peaks and valleys throughout her fight. But now it’s time for one final hat day in honor of this adored lady.
Pleasant Valley celebrated scheduled hat days throughout the 2016-2017 school year in support of Kaiser. This past Friday, students and staff members wore hats in her honor one final time after her family announced she’d no longer be able to continue in her position at PV. Kaiser was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer and has been in and out of chemotherapy, radiation, treatments and surgeries. But, despite how hard she has fought and how much support she received, her family and friends have come to accept now as a time when her body just can’t take anymore. Still, Kaiser continues fighting everyday just to live and be with her family for as long as she can. Countless students loved seeing Kaiser with a smile on her face and determination in her eyes and marveled, daily, at how she never stopped working hard throughout a very difficult journey. In her role as the guidance department’s left hand lady, students say they’d never have even known she wasn’t feeling well. She continued to put on a strong face and to look at the positives everyday.
“Kay rose to the challenge and never let cancer define who she was or who she would be. She beat cancer every day by living,” shares her son-in-law and the teacher leadership coordinator for Pleasant Valley Schools, Kevin Pennekamp.
Her smile hasn’t left her as she has beaten the many odds stacked against her. Kaiser has been a part of the district for around 36 years, and has formed many close relationships with the students, families, and faculty. Linda Noble, a guidance counselor at Pleasant Valley High School, has built a close relationship with Kaiser over the past 19 years. Noble says, “While she is not my biological sister, we are like sisters. I would do anything for her and she would do the same for me.”
Kaiser has been described as courageous, loving and beautiful. She has worked hard everyday to be a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend. Kaiser and her family get through each day by focusing on “WIN,”or What’s Important Now. “She never let the cancer define her or control how she was going to live her life,” says Noble.
The strength, selflessness and caring nature that defines Kaiser are all traits those around her have come to admire. “She fought with the determination that allowed all of us to learn what it means to persevere against all odds and to do it with love and kindness to all who met her,” says Pennekamp.
Kaiser has inspired many throughout her journey through her perseverance, and by somehow always being able to put a smile on her face no matter the circumstances. She has inspired others to focus on the important things in life and to never take a day for granted.
“She has taught me how to refocus on the positives and what unconditional love looks like,” says Pennekamp.
Kaiser is loved by countless Pleasant Valley students, staff and faculty members, family and friends. She will be remembered by many–and especially by the Pleasant Valley community. Thank you, Kay Kaiser, for your positive impact and endless love. You are a marvel and your unmatched Spartan pride will be felt in our halls for years to come.