Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, April 17, 1990                   TAG: 9004140159
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ROSEMARY RATCLIFF, 41, CHRISTIANSBURG

Ratcliff is a custodian at Blacksburg High School, the same school she quit as a senior 23 years ago.

A job offer from Rose's drew her away, even though she already had her graduation cap and gown. "I got tired; I didn't want to study," she recalls.

Now she's ready for some advancement, to move into a supervisory position "or anything else," she says.

When she was hired 14 years ago as a custodian for Montgomery County schools, a high school diploma wasn't required. Today, a diploma is encouraged because a custodian's job is becoming more complex. Regulations abound for dealing with toxic substances, including cleaning materials.

"If you mix chemicals, you've got to know what you're doing," Ratcliff said.

"I just love my work; I love to work around kids. I learn a lot from them. They're tickled to death that I'm going back" to school.

And now "Pomp and Circumstance" will play for Rosemary Ratcliff this spring. She will walk down the aisle wearing a cap and gown with her teen-age friends with a diploma in hand.