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The Importance of a Smile

"A SMILE costs nothing, but gives much. It enriches those who receive, without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it, and none is so poor but that he can be made rich by it. 

A smile creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business, and is the countersign of friendship. It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and is nature's best antidote for trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give." Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch

The first word that comes to mind when thinking of Juanita Mongold is smiley! When I met her, that was her outstanding feature. Her smile radiated and truly made me feel at ease. I could only imagine how it makes the residences feel at Dingledine Hall who get to see her every day. You see, Juanita Mongold is a Housekeeper at dingledine Hall and through thick and thin, rain or shine, clean or messy, Juanita is there brightening up the atmosphere, spreading her positive energy making the day seem better than it seemed before. Her out look on life and on her work has been a true inspiration for those around her. She says “she cleans as though this hall was her home.” And with a smile like that, it is hard not to feel at home. Her giggly nature is contagious and lifts you up, even for a moment. There hardly is a time Juanita is not smiling away. As Grant Schafer, one of Dingledine’s RAs said, 

“ Juanita has been a joy during my time as an RA and if more people in this world had a positive outlook about work and life, this world would be much better off. If people simply smiled half as much as Juanita, this world would be more pleasant.”

She works hard and she gives everything she does 110% of her. This does not exclude her smile. Grant added “ she has a smile on her face whether she is helping me clean up resident vandalism, vomit, or working long hours because she was forced to spend half of the day cleaning the football stadium before parent's weekend.”

Her wonderful personality and way about work and life has not gone unnoticed, especially since it is hard not to notice with her smile and her cheery attitude floating around the hall. Her positive influence on Dingledine was brought to the attention of her boss, and she was rewarded. And although she has been rewarded already, we feel she embodies the spirit of all together one and deserves to be recognized today. 

Her smile connects to people. Her attitude touches other’s hearts. And her whole demeanor spreads out and touches anyone who is around her. Her smile, strength and love have truly affected her residence and made their stay at James Madison University a more pleasant and memorable one. She does all this not for anything but because she that is who she really is. A smiley, giggly, uplifting woman who has touched the lives and hearts of everyone who happens to be lucky enough to be around her. 

“ A smile is the light in the window that lets people know you're at home.” 
Juanita has been that light for those living and working at Dingledine Hall, and for the students she has helped to make James Madison University not just a school, but a place to call home.

The JMU community would like to thank Juanita Mongold.

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