Employee spotlight: Xavier Ard, Kennedy Dragonas and Lori Maxson
At Emporia Presbyterian Manor, we depend a lot on the hard work, care and dedication of our talented team of administrative assistants. We recently spoke with Xavier Ard, Kennedy Dragonas and Lori Maxson to learn a little bit more about them and uncover their plans for life after COVID.
Xavier Ard
How long have you worked at Emporia Presbyterian Manor?
I started on November 9, 2020.
What do you like most about working at the community?
Watching and interacting with the residents … they are pretty great.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I like to read and sleep and occasionally do some eating.
Tell us a bit about your family.
I have a nice 130-pound German Shepherd named Xorrie who doesn’t know how to listen.
What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
I was a vet tech for six years.
What’s the first thing you plan to do once COVID-19 is behind us?
I’m going to be doing pretty much the same thing as now—attending class—but they’ll be back in person.
I’m studying to become a nurse anesthetist at the Emporia School of Nursing and, ideally, I will be done in 2022.
Kennedy Dragonas
How long have you worked at Emporia Presbyterian Manor?
Six months. I started in August.
What do you like most about working at the community?
The residents. I love when packages get dropped off, and I can run it to their door and chit chat with them for just a little bit.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Spending time with my family and my dog.
Tell us a bit about your family.
I have a black lab named Koda who is really big and likes to lay on top of you. My mom is a counselor, my dad is a police officer and my sister is a teacher. Watching them help others has led me to also want to help people.
What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
If it wasn’t for my granny, I wouldn’t be at Emporia Presbyterian Manor. If it wasn’t for this community, my coworkers and my family, I don’t think I would be as confident or prepared for what my future holds.
What’s the first thing you plan to do once COVID-19 is behind us?
At work, I would love to go over to the health care side and meet those residents. I have heard so much about them and I’d love to actually meet them and talk to them. Outside of work, I’d just like to be able to go to a concert.
Lori Maxson
How long have you worked at Emporia Presbyterian Manor?
One year and five months. September 10th is my anniversary date!
What do you like most about working at the community?
There are so many different things, but I love the interaction I get to have with the residents and staff. Our residents have incredible stories, and I love just learning all they’ve lived through and witnessed. They’re each so precious and it is truly an honor and privilege to assist in their care. And the people I work with are the absolute best in our fields. From maintenance and housekeeping to nursing, dining and management, each person contributes to the success of this campus and are so vital to its function.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I crochet; read; binge Netflix; attend church and Bible studies; spend time with my son, Matthew (18 years old), visit with my friends and family, hang out at the lake in the summer, volunteer when I can, workout, teach water aerobics at the rec center and continue to work on my education.
I am currently enrolled to get my lifeguard and swim instruction certifications. In 2021, I will be working to obtain my legal and medical transcription certification, my group fitness certification and will return to Flint Hills Technical College to complete my associate’s degree in business technology. After that, I will be begin working on my bachelor’s degree in Business with an emphasis in marketing and human resources.
Tell us a bit about your family.
My son, Matthew, is a freshman at Coffeyville Community College majoring in physical therapy. I also have a gray cat named Sassy, who is definitely every bit of sass as her name implies! My father and step-mother live in Eureka and he and I are very close. He’s actually the reason I applied for this position. He would come here to visit my grandmother and volunteer to serve coffee and refill water glasses at lunches and dinners.
What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
Since my cataract removal and lens replacement a few years ago, my eyes have reflected light like a deer or cat. Some people may find that a little creepy, but I find it pretty cool!
What’s the first thing you plan to do once COVID-19 is behind us?
TAKE OFF THESE MASKS! Give a huge hug, a kiss on the cheek and a warm, friendly smile to everyone I know and maybe even some I don’t! God did not mean for us to be without human interaction and touch, it is vital to our happiness and mental health as human beings!
