There is No “Truer Blue” than Springfield’s
There are a lot of titles that I answer to: son, brother, husband, father, principal and Blue Devil alumni. It seems that my schedule lately has demanded that I spend a little more time acting within the title of “principal” than most others listed earlier—especially this past week as we prepare to say farewell to the Class of 2021.
I couldn’t help thinking as school counselor Tim Reiser and I sat on the stage in the Tombaugh Auditorium during the senior awards assembly on May 17, how lucky I am to work in the same community that invested in my education all those years ago. Then, and now, Holland/ Springfield families, Blue Devil alumni and business professionals honor our stu dents through their generous donations of scholarships. Student after student heard their names called as a recipient of a scholarship or award. As they rose from their seats, I wondered how many of them might someday return the favor and provide generously for the future Blue Devils who someday will attend a similar program. I hope the answer is a lot!
I would be remiss to not include a plug for the Holland-Springfield Alumni Association and a shout out to Sherri Koback, the alumni director, who at the last minute worked with me, fellow alumna Jamie Filipiak (who doubles as our food service director) to put together another awesome alumni picnic for our students. We found a way to do this without com promising COVID protocols and from the smiles on the faces of the students as they returned to class—they, too, appreciated both the food and the effort. Why not, as we let them choose their favorite SHS lunch!! Evidently, the love for those chicken fingers knows no limit.
There are a lot of things about their time at SHS that will provide our students with fond memories. Sure, they will move on—we’ve prepared them well to do just that. As they do, I hope that I have set an example for my soon to be fellow alumni that there really is no truer blue than Springfield’s.
