Hats Off To The King

The hearts of young children, enormous in size and just as kind, are eager to please the ones the respect the most.

Between the many students at Mary Lynch Elementary, along with the teachers and staff, Principal Mike Mitchell received possibly the most memorable celebration in his education career.

Last Friday morning, Feb. 1, hundreds of students and staff rushed into the Mary Lynch gymnasium to set up for a surprise birthday celebration for Mitchell.

During a waiting period of practice before he arrived at the school, the students went over their short presentations and what would take place.

The door opened and the word "surprise" echoed throughout the empty halls across the building.

With a look of shock, the principal walked to the overstuffed comfy chair in front of the students and was greeted with a hat fit for a king.

As if the crown wasn't enough for this "King of the Day," many hats were being kept behind him in his honor – hats that students had picked to remind Mitchell, as well as others, of events in his lifetime.

He put on those hats, one by one, as the ceremony proceeded.

With each new hat came a story read to the students by a fellow class member.

The stories included Mr. Mitchell's days as a college student, his professional career and, of course, what led to his landing at Mary Lynch.

Letters from each student were secretly written to Mitchell to remind him of the positive impacts he has had on each one's life.

There is nothing like being "King of the Day" for your birthday! Everyone hoped Mr. Mitchell had a wonderful birthday.