When Wilson High School Principal Dan Besett walked through the doors of the Ram gym, he was expecting water to be dripping from the gym ceiling light—as it had in the past. His staff had called him back to the school from his meeting with Human Resources at the Central Administration Building by saying there was another leak that needed his attention. (Human Resources was in on the “secret.”)
He didn’t expect to see his entire student body and staff filling every seat and spilling over to the floor. He didn’t expect video cameras and an assortment of digital cameras flashing as he walked across the gym floor. He didn’t expect to see his wife and daughters in the stands. The people lining the gym were very quiet for an excitable bunch of young people.
He didn’t expect KING 5 reporter Saint Bryan to announce he had been voted the best principal in KING 5 Evening Magazine’s Best of Western Washington competition. He knew he had been nominated by teacher Wendy Shepherd, but no winner had been announced to date.
As soon as Bryan made the announcement and handed Besett a plaque, the multitude of voices broke loose in a deafening cheer—like the clash of ram horns echoing through the mountains. They made up for staying quiet before the announcement by thundering their approval of the honor for their principal.
Shepherd’ Scintillation Show Choir sang and danced for the Ram Man. The Flame step team followed them, and the school band had its turn. No one seemed to mind the cold rain outside. They had voted for their favorite principal and won--it was a day for a heated celebration.
