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A: As you might expect there was great excitement and anxiety assuming a new role in Colonia, a fairly new school open only four years. I knew both Don Geddis and Bob Mahon, the first and second principals, and, therefore, I had learned much about the school, students and community. It was the one high school I really wanted. It had a great academic reputation and an active student body – both athletically and in other endeavors.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories about that first year?
A: While it was challenging, there were many fond memories that
first year. Your Senior Prom at the Westmont Country Club
was very special as was your Graduation ceremony in front of
the Arch. I remember greeting your class members at the door
of Westmont (while worrying about who had been drinking or where booze was stashed) and was so proud of our Colonia class.
Q: The Vietnam War was so much a part of everyone’s life during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Students were concerned about being drafted and others were thinking about enlisting in the service. What do you recall about the war and what impact it might have played in your dealings with students at the time?
A: The Vietnam War was very much a part of our lives in those years and I recall some students who were against the war while most faced the possibility of going to war. One would have to be callously insensitive not to be concerned of that possibility. Yes, I believe it affected the way we related to students consciously or unconsciously.
Q: What other issues were at the forefront for you as principal, particularly during that first year?
A: Since I was the third Principal in four years, it was important to establish stability in that office. Both Don and Bob did a fine job but, unfortunately, their time at Colonia was cut short when they were offered other positions. Bob Sanislow and Bill Wolgamuth were our two vice-principals and steadied the ship when CHS had no Principal for most of October ’71 prior to my arrival.
Q: What do you take the most pride in having accomplished at CHS?
A: As I look back on my ten years at CHS I am most proud of all of the kids who graduated and became successful and productive men and women. I know that sounds like a cliché but it is something that makes you feel you’ve done something right. There are a few other things I’m very proud of. One was building Colonia High School’s Stadium. I remember going to the Board to convince them we needed our own home field (you will recall when you were at CHS our home games were played at Woodbridge Stadium). The Board agreed and after many hearings gave us the okay.
Q: What important changes do you recall seeing in Education over the years?
A: At the risk of sounding like an old you know what, I see changes in the direction of our public education system that are very disturbing. I believe our kids are over tested. It seems we spend an inordinate amount of time teaching to standardized tests. While I understand the reasoning for this I believe it is a high price to pay when precious time is taken away from the humanities. I still believe our most important task is the development of the whole person.
Q: If you could make one change about something you left undone at CHS, what would it be?
A: I always regretted that as an administrator I could not develop the relationship with students that I had as a teacher. Therefore if I could change one thing during my tenure it would be to dump as much administrative minutia as possible to be more involved in day-to-day student life.
Q: Have you stayed in touch with faculty, staff or students over the years?
A: Colonia has always had a great faculty. Unfortunately, while I do see a few now and then, we usually meet when another teacher passes on.
Q: What is that you enjoy doing most now?
A: Retirement has been good. Today, I spend as much time as I can with my 14 grandchildren and I golf as often as I can. There are also many volunteer activities which I recommend to everyone – working a soup kitchen and a food pantry; serving on a couple of Boards (Red Cross, Credit Union); and singing in a choir. Then, of course, there’s the ‘honey do’ list from my lovely wife just in case I have some free time.
Q: What would former students be most surprised to learn about you?
A: I think most of you might be surprised that I became a fairly good auto mechanic after spending much time in our auto shop with Mr. Edson. It became a kind of hobby for me after school hours. Can you imagine – a real ‘grease monkey’.
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