When the Class of 2026 first arrived at Park High School as freshmen, the front office looked very different than it does today. Back then, Lori Dust was principal, Becky Ayler was vice principal, Melissa Cahoon handled the attendance office, Donna Fairchild worked in the main office, and Nate Parseghian was our athletic director. For many students, those were just the faces of Park High.
That same group stayed together through most of our sophomore year, creating a sense of consistency during the adjustments of high school life. Students got used to the routines, expectations, and personalities that shaped the school environment every day. But after that year, Park High entered a period of major transition that would continue throughout the rest of our time here.
Ms. Dust, Mrs. Ayler, and Mrs. Cahoon all left their positions, marking the beginning of a new era for the school. Cole Maxwell stepped in as principal, Melissa Mancey became vice principal, and Adria Rodgers took over the attendance office.Donna Fairchild remained in the front office during the transition, while Parseghian left his role as athletic director and was replaced by Scott Rosberg.
Now during our senior year, the administration has shifted once again. Maxwell remains principal, while Justin Pond serves as our new vice principal. Catie Leininger now works in the attendance office and Tracy Haggerty runs the main office, and Brick Cegelski is our athletic director.
Looking back, it is surprising how much the school's leadership has changed during just four years. What once felt permanent slowly evolved year by year until nearly every administrative position has been taken over by someone new.
For Maxwell, stepping into the role of principal after years of established leadership was not simple. “It’s a little strange because you’re walking into someone’s house,” Maxwell said. “Expectations were completely changed.” And rather than immediately changing policies or routines, Maxwell said he spent time observing the culture of the school before making any big decisions,“We watched instead of trying to assume anything,” he said.
That slower approach came from understanding how difficult rapid changes can be for a school community. According to Maxwell, schools are built around consistency. “There’s comfort in consistency,” he said. “Schools are like cruise ships. They turn really, really slowly.”
Though Maxwell admitted there are things he would approach differently if he had the opportunity to start over, “I would’ve observed for a shorter amount of time and would’ve waited less time to make those changes,” he said.
He also acknowledged that leadership transitions can feel abrupt for students and staff who are already used to a certain style of communication and structure. “I communicate differently than she [Lori Dust] did, and that change was very hard and abrupt and rocks the ship,” Maxwell said. Despite the changes, Maxwell said his main goal has remained centered around students. “Student first when it comes to discipline,” he said. “I try to make all my errors on the side of students.”
As Park High continues to evolve, Maxwell said new programs are already planned for the future, including the Hope Squad, a peer to peer mental health support program, and another called “Capturing Kids’ Hearts,” a program designed to strengthen relationships between students and staff.
More than anything, Maxwell said he hopes students look back positively on their time at Park High, “I want all the kids who have come through here to reflect on Park High and miss being here and be able to say they loved it,” he said.
For the Class of 2026, Park High may not look exactly the same as it did freshman year. The faces in the offices have changed, leadership styles are different and new ideas have been introduced. But watching the school evolve over the last four years has become part of our high school experience itself.
