For the past two decades a familiar smile in the Newtown High School hallways, as well as around the playing fields and court, belonged to Debi Modzelewski. She became main office secretary in 2006 before shifting gears, rounding third base and heading toward home (retirement) by taking on the role of assistant to the athletic director in 2016.

This school year will have a bit of a different feel with Modzelewski having retired this summer.

The long-tenured school employee will miss a lot about what she did, and the relationships she developed in the school setting.

“Fun getting to know the students is an understatement. Over the years we would turn off sports, and talk about our families, their teachers, college choices, jobs, and even who they would ask to prom. I was privy and an aide to many promposals — one of the joys of keeping your promise to always help them. When they were on the field, I would applaud them for a job well done, or console a loss that seemed unbearable at the time,” Modzelewski said.

“What I will miss the most is talking to my NHS people — students, coaches, teachers, custodians, lunch ladies, parents, even vendors who have sent me well wishes, because everyone I worked with was family to me,” she added.

Modzelewski’s career in Newtown schools began well before joining the staff at the high school.

“After my last child graduated from Newtown Congregational Cooperative Nursery School in 1997, I was asked to be a preschool assistant there. My friends and family thought that I was insane to go from taking care of four children at home, to taking care of two groups of 16 children in the morning and afternoon sessions at the preschool,” Modzelewski recalls. “I was so excited that Kathy Murdy and Donna Miklaszewski asked me to join them, as they were wonderful and caring teachers to learn from.”

In 2000, she took a position as a kindergarten assistant at Middle Gate School. “It was there that I realized that working in the public school system with so many teachers in all of the grade levels, was also an amazing place to be. Everyday was an adventure with teacher Peggy Kennedy. We meshed so well together, but it was her soft spoken kindness and grace that just melted my heart. Of course the next logical step for me came in 2006, when I skipped elementary school and middle school,” she said lightheartedly, “and started working at Newtown High School as the main office secretary.

“For ten years I treated everyone — or hoped I did — with the lessons I learned at Middle Gate and Newtown Congregational Cooperative Nursery School, to treat everyone with kindness and respect. I especially loved the students, and I realized and understood how hard it was for them at times to fit in, and to just be heard,” Modzelewski said.

Landing in the athletics office was a new chapter with some unexpected turns. Although Modzelewski was already familiar with the students and with sports — her children competed for the Nighthawks — and she had done some baseball coaching in previous years, this role was quite the change of pace in her career.

“Nothing could have prepared me for this fast-paced, non-stop daily roller coaster,” Modzelewski said. “[Athletic Director] Matt Memoli and I ran a small business with over 900 student-athletes a year, plus parents, and coaches, and did everything necessary to support them, on and off the field before, during and after school and evenings. We did it all,” she said.

“Debi Modzelewski was so much more than an administrative assistant. During our nine years together she truly went above and beyond and did any and everything she could for our student-athletes. We would have anywhere from 600-700 student athletes a year at NHS and she treated all of them like family. She bent over backwards to ensure our kids’ and parents’ needs were taken care of. She truly was a one-person show taking on so many different roles and responsibilities within the department. Anyone who ever called and spoke with her knew how much she cared and how much she wanted to help. She will truly be missed,” Memoli said.

In addition to the behind-the-scenes work that unfolded the athletics department staffers got to enjoy witnessing some exciting action on the playing surfaces.

“One of the greatest victories I experienced at NHS was when the 2019 football team won that amazing game versus Darien on December 14, 2019,” Modzelewski said of the Nighthawks’ State Championship win on the anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy. “Bobby Pattison and the boys brought their A Game on a dismal foggy day. I was ill and couldn’t attend but watched on our network. I couldn’t have been prouder of all of them and this amazing accomplishment.”

A 52-week employee, Modzelewski worked throughout the summer months. Beginning this July and August it has been a change of pace and chance for Modzelewski to enjoy her favorite season. “I can even play morning tennis now with my tennis team and friends,” she said.

There is also more time for family. Modzelewski’s daughter Allison and husband Anthony Fitti (boys’ lacrosse coach at NHS) have two children, and her son Jared and his wife Samantha have three. “The best part is that we all live within walking distance to each other, which is a beautiful thing, My son John and his wife Kate are expecting a baby in September, and also in September, my son David will be taking the lead coaching role for the USA at the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships, in Singapore,” she added.

“Needless to say, I won’t be at all bored — yet,” Modzelewski said.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.