Don't Cry Because it is Over - Smile Because it Happened

I used to blog 3-4 times a month but slowed way down this year. This will be my final blog as a York Duke.

Over the years, especially around this time of year when “graduation stuff” is in full gear, I’ve often heard the phrase, “don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” It is really great advice.

However, I am here to tell you that it’s possible to do BOTH because that’s exactly what I am experiencing as we transition out of York and into Omaha.

I am not ashamed to admit I have cried several times about leaving York on June 12th. I am sure many more tears will be shed in the coming weeks as well. Luckily, I have also smiled thousands of times thinking about all of the great people I met and the cherished memories we made together.

I have cried because we are leaving the comfort zone of York. We are leaving the place we have grown to love and called “home” for a decade, which is the equivalent of at least 24 years in a superintendent’s life (yes, our careers are kind of measured like dog years, I guess). I am sad because we leave behind so many people we call friends and teammates.

I have smiled because of all of the amazing students and staff I have had the privilege of working with/for. I am smiling because of the great board of education members I have been lucky enough to work with. I am smiling because of the parents and community members that have befriended me and made my family and I feel so welcome here.

I am smiling because of all of the accomplishments we have had that have brought a tremendous sense of pride and achievement to our school system and community. I am smiling because I have been blessed to watch the Class of 2019 grow up right before my eyes.

I have cried because I don’t want the memories to fade. I don’t want to forget the excitement of our “Back to School Celebrations,” Community Pep Rallies, adding academic opportunities for our students in all buildings, the sound of that beautiful cannon "boom" at East Hill Stadium on Friday night, the Duke Dome, One-Act plays, band and choir concerts, the soccer complex, the new ballfield complex, field trips, talent shows, random classroom visits, quiz bowls, FFA contests, administrative team meetings, and all of the other amazing things the York Dukes excel at.

I am smiling because I was so lucky to be in the right place at the right time. I was able to see our academics improve because of the dedicated work of teachers and staff. I saw our activity programs begin to excel because of desire and hard work and Duke Pride. I loved witnessing a community embrace a school district right before my eyes. I have been positively impacted by so many amazing students and staff members over the years in Y-Town, which we turned into Title-Town.

I have cried because this very rewarding, memorable, and successful part of my career is coming to a close. They say “all great things must come to an end” and I am living that out day by day. It is really coming to an end.

I am smiling because I am excited for the opportunities and challenges at Westside Community Schools in Omaha. Westside is a tradition-rich and proud organization that I am excited to serve. I am happy to be able to get my wife back to her hometown to be closer to her parents and family.

I am happy to “practice what I preach” and give up my comfort zone to reinvent myself and lay it all on the line as I start over in the Class A ranks. I have to start back at Ground Zero with no credibility or trust. It all has to be earned again. It’s a little scary but pretty exciting too. I have always embraced challenges. I don’t know what the future holds at Westside but I know that I will work harder than ever to help make a positive impact there.

I am entering the last stage of my career. I am planning on Westside being my final job. I hope to give them 11-12 years of all I have and will then shut it down and fish and golf until my hands hurt.

Thanks to all of the York Dukes. I will always love you and root for you. Let’s finish strong these last 12 days of school!

Thanks to Westside Community Schools for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. It is my honor to get to roll up my sleeves and begin to work for you on June 17th. It’s going to be a heck of a ride.