Outgoing MLES Principal Karl Wassman is honored at last day awards program
Wiping away tears, an emotional Mountain Lake Public Elementary School (MLES) Principal Karl Wassman took a few moments to compose himself before making final comments to students and staff at the Elementary Awards Program held this morning (Thursday, June 1) in the Mountain Lake Public School Auditorium.
Wassman had just received a noteworthy honor (and standing “O”) for his nine years serving as the elementary principal, after awarding the elementary school’s 250 students their own various recognitions.
Wassman is leaving his post after this school year to focus on farming the Wassman Family’s Century Farm in Watonwan County. And, perhaps, during winter downtime, spend some time as a volunteer coach for Wolverine Boys Basketball.
Presenting the farewell award was MLES Sixth Grade Teacher Kyle Blomgren, whose ties with Wassman go back 27 years. In 1990, when Blomgren was a fourth grade student teacher, Wassman was a sixth grade student. Later, they were co-workers – sixth grade instructors at the same school – as well as classmates when each studied graduate courses. Four years ago, Wassman as MLES Principal, became Blomgren’s “boss” when Blomgren joined the MLES staff. Looking back over the past three decades of those varying levels of engagement, Blomgren additionally noted that he calls Wassman, “Friend.”
Sixth grade students in Minnesota study the state’s history, and Wassman was presented with a wooden voyageur’s paddle by sixth grade students Michala Morin and Areli Capetillo. The paddle, Blomgren, explained, distinguishes Wassman as a passionate “paddler.” He further shared the significance of the paddle used by Minnesota’s early explorers and fur traders, and how that aligns with Wassman’s efforts in leading and guiding MLES. Stated Blomgren, “The paddle is a sign of ‘power.’ Mr. Wassman has kept us moving – always forward, inspiring us to do our best. It also ‘steers direction.’ Mr. Wassman has led us through some very tough waters, but because of his great leadership, we were steered into calmer water. The third recognition for the paddle is the ‘legacy’ of the one who used it.”
The paddled was handcrafted by Wassman’s friend, Nathan Olson of Butterfield, and signed by every student in grades K-6, along with all elementary staff members. MLES students, Adleigh Olson, headed to first grade and Aidan Olson, a fourth-grader next year, are the children of Nathan and Karen Olson.
Wassman, and his wife, Karyn, have three children in the district, Kade, who just completed seventh grade; Kody, who will head to sixth grade in the fall and Kathryn, a third grade student next school year.
