With renovations to the new auditorium almost concluding, CHS held an honorary concert to recognize Ron Mead, a former principal at Chelsea High School, for his impact within the community.
Mead served as principal of CHS for 19 years, and his legacy inspired CHS to name the new auditorium after him in honor of his hard work and dedication. He always wanted to design a new auditorium for a “new” CHS to help bring the creativity and talent that students have into a better light.
Doctor Nicholas Angel, current principal at Chelsea High School, describes Mead as being a great advocate for Chelsea during his time as principal. His reach into the community extended past the bare minimum; he strived to help those in need and provide support to all students, parents, and staff.
“Things that you wouldn’t know about him are that he mentored and helped a lot of children in this community that may have struggled, or parents may have struggled with, and folks want to know that kind of thing about him,” Angel said. “He was a huge advocate for the music program.”
Arthur Finger, an Alternative Ed teacher at CHS, has appreciated the relationships he had with Mead.
“Working with Mr. Mead was incredibly great because he cared about his staff and he cared about the students.” Finger said. “He took into consideration what the parents had to say, but his business was running a school and making sure kids got a good education with good rates, and he did a fantastic job.”
Another current teacher at Chelsea High School, math teacher Karen Kurcz, was originally hired by Mead when she began teaching. She said Mead “made our school a great place in different ways,” not only for the students but for the staff as well.
Coming from a math perspective, Kurcz personally enjoyed how Mead used to give the staff “reports that made [them] aware of patterns in our grading process.” Not only did this help keep a better understanding of what’s going on in the school, but it also helped the staff.
Angel explained that the auditorium is getting dedicated to him due to his legacy of his love for the music department.
“It was his vision to help realign our music booster program into what it is today,” Angel said.
Throughout the years he was principal, he made the orchestra the largest program at CHS today, which is significant in a state where not all high schools have string programs.
When Mead found out about the news about the auditorium, he said he was speechless
“It’s more than humbling, to say the least.” Mead said. “When Michael Kapolka, the superintendent, called me, I was more than shocked. I’m usually not speechless, but I was speechless.”
