Marth Janes outside of Christ Church in 2012

Martha Janes, a 1996 Helton Award recipient, has been proud to be Ravenscroft's school nurse since 1975. Her son, Kevin, is a Class of 1985 alumnus.

She was born in Charlottesville, Va., and lives now in Youngsville. She received her RN, BS in Nursing from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Va. Before joining the staff at Ravenscroft, Martha was a head nurse in the premature nursery at the University of Virginia Hospital, a nurse at Southeastern Baptist Seminary Health Center and an emergency room nurse at WakeMed in Raleigh. She taught practical nurse education, has been a telephone triage nurse and helps out in an urgent care setting on a part-time basis.

Martha says she never planned on becoming a nurse – she was going to be a teacher. "I never liked the sight of blood, but when I was a junior in high school I had my appendix removed and was so impressed with the nurses. I think that's when I first thought of nursing as a career."

She enjoys the piano and singing in her church choir each Sunday. She loves working in her yard, knitting, poetry, art, crossword puzzles, cryptograms and jumbles.

Reflection
by Martha Janes

Marth Janes tending to a young patient in 1985

As a member of the 150th Anniversary Committee, it has been a privilege to reconnect with former parents as we plan for events during the year. I look forward to seeing many former faculty, staff and students during the year.

It is difficult to summarize memories pertaining to Ravenscroft, because there are so many. I guess, primarily, the relationships with students and parents over the years are the ones that stand out. As school nurse, it has been interesting to watch students grow and develop from Pre-K and Kindergarten into confident seniors at graduation. Graduation is always a highlight for me each year.

Over the years, some students have had my listening ear when they were stressed. Some have received first aid for a scrape, sprain or broken bone, or medication for a pain. Some have had a quiet place to rest when not feeling well. For the first grader who was frightened to go swimming, a walk with him to the big pool and a little reassurance seemed to alleviate his fears. The boy who was grieving because of the death of a grandmother was given a shoulder to cry on before returning to class. Whatever the complaint or problem, I try to care for each child as if he or she were my own.

The campus has changed so much over the years. My first office was in a trailer beside many others: one for the Headmaster, Admissions, Business Office, and a bathroom trailer which everyone had to use. Mr. Vern Hawes was Headmaster at the time and he had a very progressive vision of what Ravenscroft should be especially in regard to music, art and athletics as well as academics. The quality of leadership over the years has been impressive as each school head has added his or her own legacy to the school. After several new buildings were available on campus, all the trailers were removed except for the nurse's trailer. It was moved to the area adjacent to the present Health Center.

I recall a number of years back when sections of north Raleigh were hit by a tornado during the night. The next morning, as I drove down the two-lane Falls of Neuse Road, there was debris scattered around and I wondered if the trailer would still be standing. I was happy to see that it was and later that year, students, faculty and staff planted numerous seedlings to replace the trees that had been destroyed during the tornado. Now I look at that area and see a forest along campus drive.

One of the most memorable occasions for me at Ravenscroft was the opening of the Health Center in 2001 which was dedicated in honor of Mr. Seby Jones, whom I had known. He was a former Raleigh mayor and a grandparent to students on campus. A little later, I watched as the old trailer (my office for 26 years) was hauled away as I waved goodbye from the front of the campus.

Because of my interest in music and art, I have always enjoyed and been impressed by the quality of choral presentations and theatre productions, especially the musicals at Ravenscroft. We have had outstanding performers all through the years.

I'm so glad to be a part of this community, especially as we celebrate our 150^th anniversary. I can't believe this will be my 38th year as Ravenscroft's school nurse. I'm really looking forward to making even more memories this school year.