Associate Principal Dr. Jennifer Sebold came to MHS this year. She worked with other administrators to bring elements of fun to MHS, including games and music at lunch during spirit week and the pep rally at night.

Dr. Sebold also was recently named the Assistant Principal of the Year by the St. Louis Association of Secondary School Principals. Dr. Sebold was recognized because of her “exemplary performance in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students,” according to the award application. Dr. Sebold will now move onto the state competition.

“I was surprised and honored to receive the award,” Dr. Sebold said. “Winning was a testament to my entire administrative team, the faculty and students I work with daily at MHS!”

On Thursday, April 18, however, the decision was formalized: Dr. Sebold would leave MHS to be the principal of EHS.

Dr. Sebold has devoted much of her life to education. Before this year at MHS, Dr. Sebold was an English teacher at McCluer North High School for 10 years and an assistant principal at RSHS for three years. Dr. Sebold said her experience at MHS was awesome.

“When I walked through the doors of this school, I couldn’t imagine how much I would learn, how much I would experience and how attached I would become to MHS.” Dr. Sebold said. “I loved the energy of the kids and teachers. This has been a perfect year. I learned from my mistakes; I couldn’t have been happier.”

Derrick LaFaver, senior, was one student who Dr. Sebold helped.

“She is the reason I’m graduating,” LaFaver said. “My grades were bad, and I was getting in trouble.”

Over the course of the year, LaFaver and Dr. Sebold met 20 times. LaFaver said Dr. Sebold made sure he finished schoolwork. LaFaver said he now aspires to be a firefighter.

Alex McVehil, junior, was Dr. Sebold’s office aide for fourth quarter. He helped Dr. Sebold set up the schedule for next year and send it out to staff.

“Dr. Sebold was so much fun to be around,” McVehil said. “She always has a smile on her face and lightens up the mood.”

McVehil said Dr. Sebold also had a serious side, often checking up on his grades to make sure his schoolwork was completed.

In addition, Dr. Sebold served as a mentor to Assistant Principal Paul Burns. Burns said his initial impression of Dr. Sebold was that she was very smart and would bring a lot of spirit to MHS.

“She answered my questions and encouraged me to make my own decisions,” Burns said. “She empowered me to be more of a leader.”

Burns said Dr. Sebold challenged the traditional way of thinking at MHS.

“She always asked ‘Can we do it differently?’” Burns said.

In light of Dr. Sebold’s departure, candidate interviews have already begun.

“We’re looking for someone who is highly organized, has leadership capacity, is energetic, gets along well with others, is an effective communicator and can juggle multiple tasks,” Principal Dr. Greg Mathison said.

Administrators will announce MHS’s new associate principal Friday, May 20.

Dr. Sebold had some parting words for the students of MHS.

“Follow your dreams. Follow your heart. Work hard and take nothing for granted,” Dr. Sebold said. “Most importantly, make this school proud.”

To Dr. Sebold, LaFaver, McVehil and Burns all had one last thing to say.

“I wish you luck,” LaFaver said.

“I’ll miss you,” McVehil said.

“I’m sad you are leaving, but I wish you well,” Burns said. “Let’s keep in contact.”