By: Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Lining up the school’s driveway, as has been done in the past with returning sports teams, Buckeye Central students and staff sent High School Principal Jay Zeiter off in style Friday morning.
Concocted by BC Technology Coordinator Tammy Studer, Jay Zeiter’s sendoff began shortly after 10 am Friday, when the principal was called away from Buckeye Central. With the announcement “The Mustache has left the building. Operation Baseball Bat is now in effect,” by Assistant Principal/Atheletic Director Kevin Vargyas, students from Buckeye Central’s elementary, junior high, and high school were dismissed from class and lined the BC campus driveway.
When Zeiter returned he was greeted with cheers from the students and staff as he was led down the drive by New Washington Police Chief Jeff Shook and the BC marching band. After arriving at his parking spot the cheering for the soon to be departing principal continued with high school seniors delivering a basket of cards in appreciation for their principal’s 22 years of service to the students and the school.
Studer explained how the plans for the event came together.
“We were thinking of ideas to do to get the entire student body involved,” Studer said. “He had done things similar to this when our basketball teams, or baseball teams would advance in tournaments. He would have the whole student body come out, and as the bus would leave they would cheer and clap, so we thought we would do something similar for him.”
Much like with students’ homage to ball players, the students greeted Zeiter with signs and cards featuring the man of the hour’s image.
“We started planning for this on Monday,” Studer said. “The seniors made the signs and the cards with his head on it.”
Upon returning to his office Zeiter was overcome with emotion from the gesture.
“It is pretty awesome, and I love Buckeye Central. It just says what this community and school is, and the people here are just amazing.” Zeiter said. “I’m glad I got to be here for 22 years.”
Zeiter’s last day as Buckeye Central’s High School Principal will officially be June 30. Pioneer satellite administrator Michael Martin has been named as Zeiter’s replacement.