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Edna Moore appreciates Phyllis Bechtol
Story and photos by Cassie Moore

Bechtol takes a break on the job Sweeping up the leaves

Every morning at 7 a.m. for the past 25 years, Phyllis Bechtol has been going to work to clean up after young college students and dorm parties alike.

This year, Bechtol is solely responsible for the duties in Edna Moore, cleaning up after 40 young, un-parented college girls.

However, Bechtol's work does not go unnoticed.

"She's such a friendly lady... Even if I don't always take out my trash, she always says hi…We all appreciate her a lot [because] we girls can get really messy!" says Edna Moore fourth floor resident Kristin Charnley.

Bechtol, a Madison County and Mars Hill native, hasn't always been taking care of Edna Moore; she used to have the daunting task of the boys' dorms as well.

"Boys are far messier than the girls!…but each one has the same messes basically," says Bechtol.

A few years ago, Gibson Hall housed summer school girls, and when boys got inside and got hold of fire extinguishers, Bechtol was there for the rescue. "It was one of the messiest times I have seen that place…there was white film everywhere! I didn't think it could get any worse."

Besides cleaning up after the family of Mars Hill College, Bechtol has her own family to take care of as well. She has three girls, ages 15, 21, and 23. The middle child Stephanie is a student here at Mars Hill. Along with her girls, she must take care of her dog and two cats, as well as her husband Vincent.

"After cleaning all day at work, I go home and the cooking and cleaning starts all over again. But I do enjoy romance and mystery novels and crocheting when I do have some free time."

Bechtol says that while she is the only one to clean Edna Moore during the school year, summer is by far the messiest season. "Summer conferences and camps can get really messy…all those athletes!"

After being here 25 years, 15 working with the dorms, Bechtol has seen Mars hill grow in many ways. "Dorm visitation policies are the same…boys can go up to the girls' rooms and what not, but the messes are the same…but I don't mind cleaning up after the girls…[I ask] just to have the girls take the trash down and what not, but other than that, the girls are great."

The feeling for Bechtol is mutual. "I always hear her sweeping the steps [as I wake up] for my early class, and it's comforting in a way…It's part of my routine," says Edna Moore resident Char'Lee Pickens.

Bechtol is highly appreciated by Mars Hill College residents, and an overall consensus of appreciation is given to her by the girls. "We just want her to know that we appreciate her hard work, even if we leave the bathroom showers messy after mud sliding by the townhouses," says a resident of Edna Moore who wishes to remain anonymous for the mess in the showers.

After a hard day of cleaning up after teenage girls from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Bechtol enjoys unwinding from her 25-year-old routine by working on crossword puzzles, her favorite hobby.

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