If you have ever seen the smiling face at the end of the omelet line, you know Robin LeClaire.
Originally from Goshen, Mass., Robin — everyone on campus uses her first name — has been working at Williston for 35 of her 57 years, and every year makes an impact on students’ days. Whether you are a campus kid, a PG, a six-year senior, or anyone else on campus, Robin has probably made you an omelet, or will make you one, at some point your Williston career.
At the omelet station in the mornings, she is always chatting while making the best breakfast.
Taylor Hanford, the daughter of English teacher Kyle Hanford and Nurse Lindsay Hanford, gets eggs from Robin every morning, even though she is not tall enough to see over the egg station — yet.
“She thinks that it is really cool when I hold myself up on the counter of the egg station,” Taylor, 9, said.
Seeing Robin makes everyone’s day better.
Kyle Hanford, who also coaches hockey and who attended Williston as a PG in 1996 – 97, knew Robin from his time on campus. Hanford appreciates Robin’s sense of humor.
“She made me feel like Williston was my home even though she had been there longer,” he said. “She is Williston. She is the dining hall.”
During Hanford’s time as a student at Williston, “She was a staple. She made you feel welcomed and loved,” he said.
“She has this abrasive personality, which is her way of loving you,” Hanford added. “It’s all part of her schtick. If she’s busting your chops, you know she cares about you, that’s the biggest thing. You know you are part of her crew, because she makes you feel special.”
Violet Carroll, a junior from Milton, Mass., notices how much Robin loves her job.
“She makes my day,” Violet said.
Elle Ash, a junior from Kingston, N.H., loves Robin’s amazing personality and especially loves when “she always gets me extra sour cream even when they are not serving it,” she said.
Ella Mattocks, a 2022 graduate who now plays water polo at Villanova, appreciates Robin’s energy and love for the Williston students.
“Robin was always so kind to me at Williston,” she said. “She was consistently cheerful every morning, even when it was 7:00 a.m., and never failed to put a smile on people’s faces. She cares about the people at Williston more than anything, and I think that’s what makes her so awesome.”
In her time in the dining hall, Robin has worked nearly every job, starting as a dishwasher, and then moving on, as she said, to learn “all the other crap” including cooking, line serving, and catering special functions.
Everyone has nice things to say about Robin, but what Robin has to say about “her kids” (the students), is even more touching.
One of her favorite moments working in the dining hall has been “holding faculty children when they are just born while the parents are getting food,” she said.
Robin has stayed at Williston for 35 years and plans to finish her career here because “you guys complete me, you really do,” she said. “I’m here for you. That’s why I come back here every year.”
While talking about her job and all the students here, Robin lit up.
“Interacting with the kids and making people happy makes me happy,” she said. “It’s an absolute honor to be here,” she proudly added.