Arch enemies are in a battle to the death. In Japan they use samurai swords, in China they use bamboo sticks, but on campus they use staplers and scissors.

After a phone call, secretary Cheryl Pohl brings out the stapler and charges angrily at fellow secretary Yoko Kilbourne. Kilbourne dives back and grabs the scissors, glaring at Pohl.

OK, so that never really happened. Though tensions in the office can run high, the campus secretaries really are the best of friends.

Kilbourne has helped run the office for about seven years, replacing 15-year veteran, Jonnie Baker. While Kilbourne reigned as queen secretary, the job has gotten easier for her ever since Pohl joined the staff.

“My favorite thing about being a secretary is that if I do my job well, everyone else will be able to do their job,” Kilbourne said. “The worst thing about being a secretary is when the computers shut down.”

After years of working on campus, Kilbourne has seen firsthand how patience is important.

“We have to understand the students when they come to the office,” Kilbourne said. “We can not rush things.”

Pohl has been on campus for five years, but has only served as a high school secretary for three.

“Even though our office is small, we still have fun and intercom each other,” Pohl said. “This is truly our second family.”

Pohl looks forward to each day of work.

“I love my job,” Pohl said. “There has never been a day when I get up and don’t want to go to work.”

Kilbourne and Pohl combine their talents to help the office run more smoothly.

“I think her presence brightens the office,” Kilbourne said. “We are blessed to have her a part of the high school scene.”

They often share their opinions about themselves.

“Yoko has experience and has skill in the office and with people,” Pohl said. “She is a kind, loving, and wonderful person.”

From decorating at holidays to answering phones, they both appreciate each other.

“Cheryl is very loving, caring and creative,” Kilbourne said. “One year for Christmas she decorated the girls’ bathroom with lights and brought a CD player playing music. She put hot chocolate, hot apple cider and a huge bowl of popcorn in there. Never in a million years would I have thought of doing that.”

Answering phones and giving messages to teachers may not seem like a lot, but many students do not realize the vital impact that the secretaries have on this campus.