Thank You Mr. Olson
Mr. Olson memorized the middle school students’ names using photos on his wall, showing his determination to know his students personally. courtesy of Taylor Michael ’13
It was the fall of 2005. The stifling heat lingered past August as the young fifth graders cowered in the corners of the mansion building. But they felt a relieving sense of comfort in the warm smile of the middle school head, Mr. David Olson, who too, was embarking on a new adventure.
“The class of 2013 and I both begin in the Middle School in September of 2005. Coming to a new school, even for adults, brings both excitement and trepidation. I soon realized that I had nothing to worry about, especially as our fifth graders, the class of 2013, were going through the same emotions and experiences,” Mr. Olson said.
courtesy of Taylor Michael ’13
From the beginning, Mr. Olson felt a strong connection to our class. Even within the first month, he had memorized each of our names using photos on his wall, and seemed to truly want to have a personal connection with each and every one of us.
“During their middle school years, the Class of 2013 proved to be a hard working, kind and fun group,” Mr. Olson said. “I always marveled at the thoughtfulness of the class and their ability to simply get along well together.”
Mr. Olson recalls our competitive advisory dances, filled with throwback tunes and hip-hop moves, our dedication to our Making History projects, and countless other memories that defined our class as, “earnest, fun, and talented.”
As our class now journeys into the new, exciting, and sometimes frightening college world, it is likely that we will no longer have a Mr. Olson, a person who greets us on our first day and continually checks up on us. Yet we have internalized the lessons that Mr. Olson has taught us and can be proud of the mature responsibilities that his leadership helped to shape.
“Just like you have been doing at Sacred Heart, be dedicated to serving others and completely immerse yourselves in the life of your college. Perhaps our Sacred Heart Middle School ideals say it best: be honest, try your hardest, be respectful and try something new,” Mr. Olson said.
As we venture into the world past the Sacred Heart gates, we are lucky to have shared four years of tremendous growth with Mr. Olson. He led our transition from those awkward, nervous, and struggling fifth graders to proud, ready, and obnoxiously confident eighth graders. He dedicated his time and energy to forming us into young women, ready to take on the maturity of high-school.
“I will always be reminded of the class by the gift they gave me at Prize Day – a clock that sits in my office with the inscription: “Thanks for your time.”
Thank you once again Mr. Olson, and to the rest of the Sacred Heart community, for your time. And although the Class of 2013’s time here ticks to a stop, all of the dedication and support we have felt will be carried with us in the years to come.
– Allie Kenny, Opinions Editor
