People say that it is advantageous to make the moments count instead of merely counting them. This means there are opportunities of large and small proportions and instead of addressing the quantity of these, it is better to appreciate the chances and make an effort to utilize them. When it is all said and done, time is created for what is most important; lengths of time exist only on a clock, which means that in order to make use of what each individual is given, they must put forth all available effort into daily endeavors. Science and the opinion of the average person may indicate that time keeps going, yet with the passing of long-time staff member and beloved Sequoit Debbie Rummel, time stopped.

Rummel was a former physical education department chair, teacher, and, most importantly, a believer. Her beliefs are not to be disputed, for they were focused on multiple main goals. She came off as someone who would do anything to help other people, as well as find every possible way to accomplish a task, no matter what it was. It is normal to have feelings towards something, especially when there is passion behind it. Turning these ideas into action is a task that Rummel achieved in her life. Having a plan and the will to accomplish goals cannot be taught in a class, rather it is something possessed at birth. Paul Petty’s time teaching at Antioch Community High School lasted 23 years, more than 15 of which were spent with Rummel. Conversations were plentiful, and the lessons Petty learned became part of his everyday work ethic and attitude. Rummel in no way lectured him, and the topics they discussed involved teaching points whether they were explicitly stated or not.

“I remember countless conversations in her office that usually included topics that had nothing to do with school, but rather her family or mine,” Petty said.

Whereas teaching students every day could become stressful or redundant, Rummel always found time to listen and discuss matters that were closer to home. One of Petty’s biggest takeaways from his time with Rummel had a lot to do with pace and tempo. He mentioned in magnitude how she made it a point to always work as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“She had very high energy, a very positive attitude and the ability to emphasize in any situation,” Petty said.

He recalled several times when her pace and work ethic were reflected by her pace in the hallway—always on task. Rummel was a go-getter; a woman who wanted to do everything in her ability to accomplish her goals. Petty believes Rummel’s teaching style and her lifestyle could be summed up in a simply adage: “lead, follow, or get out of the way.”

It is easy to assume that Rummel would identify most simply with a leader role, yet she actually fits each variable in a different way. According to Petty, Rummel was a strong leader and took pride in enlightening young minds and strengthening her faith.

As getting out of the way is a method to not disturb those working diligently, in Rummel’s eyes, getting out of the way was a method to avoid anything that would slow her down or bring negativity to a situation; when there was a task at hand, Rummel would embrace it.

While it seemed as though Rummel would stick to the script and simply do her job well, she also possessed the ability to branch out from the uniform tree of education. Current PE department chair Teri Klobnak feels blessed to have been guided by Rummel during her first days at ACHS.

“I was honored to be able to become the PE Department Chair after her retirement,” Klobnak said. “With her passing, it pushes me to continue the excellent and well respected PE department that we have at Antioch.”

During her time at Antioch, Rummel was the pioneer for classes such as Fit for Life, Physical Best and Food and Fitness. Her ideas to create these classes to better-fit students paved the way for new health and fitness ideas in the future. Her desire to constantly make the physical education department better created standards that were shared by the surrounding teachers and even students for decades to come.

After multiple years, Rummel lost her battle with Cancer on August 20, 2017. Her accolades may have involved concrete awards and recognition, but her legacy lies within the minds of everyone she touched in all facets of her career. Thousands of students were lucky enough to witness her presence, as well as the teachers both inside and outside of her department. She was someone who would do just about anything for a belief, and now her beliefs live both in her household and in the community to which she gave everything. Her life was short-lived.

A quality lifetime cannot be measured by age, however. It is true that time will continue, yet only for those willing to create and utilize it. It may not be as simple as having a plan, working quickly and efficiently, or being a believer and a leader. It may be as simple as creating opportunities and making the moments count, instead of merely counting them.