As he stood with a helping of whipped cream on his face and shirt, Darin Powell, Hannibal High School principal, admitted his final Field Day at the school was indeed memorable.
“I can always say it will leave a lasting impression on me between the pies and the donkey,” he said.
A donkey?
Because students donated the most money - over $300 - to see their principal kiss a donkey, Powell obliged by puckering up. Powell sensed that his kissing partner, Marvin the donkey, was not overwhelmed by the experience.
“He was a little hesitant. I don’t know, maybe I should have had a Tic Tac or something beforehand. He kind of pulled back at first. I think he was more nervous than I was,” he said.
While other teachers and administrators received a single face full of whipped cream, Powell note that he was the recipient of multiple pie pans of the white stuff from students.
“I think I did more than my fair share, but it’s always a good time,” he said. “It really builds good, strong relationships with our kids.”
The strength of Powell’s relationship with the student body was shown when he was given a plaque for his years of service. Powell, who is leaving at the end of the school year, said he was humbled by the gift.
“I don’t do this for recognition, I do this for them and that’s the hardest part about leaving here is those kids,” he said.
Powell, an HHS grad, said he has enjoyed his time in the school district.
“Absolutely. I’m not done here. You never know. We never know where the Lord is going to lead us,” he said. “Some day I may walk back through those doors and be back in that building at some point.”
Which would mean more Field Days, which Powell says are designed to allow students and staff to interact in a different setting.
“I think it’s a chance to let the kids see us with our hair down a little bit and let them see the other side of us when we’re not always pushing them about getting their classes done and just letting them hang their hair out and have a little fun,” he said.
