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Pep rally cheers Sister Michelle
Trinity High School’s Sister Michelle Germanson shares her emotional response with the students and staff on April 24 during her surprise 20th anniversary party. | Tamara Bell~Sun Times Media
Updated: June 4, 2012 8:06AM
First, shock filled Sister Michelle Germanson’s expression, then tears flowed down her face.
The Trinity High School principal had just walked into a cheering auditorium April 24. She had no idea it was coming.
All 660 students and staff had crept silently to the auditorium as part of her surprise party to recognize her 20th anniversary at the high school.
“I could hardly stop crying,” she said later. “I didn’t expect it. I didn’t have a clue.”
“Talk about a heartfelt rally,” she said
Susie Bedell, director of Student Activity at the high school, who led the planning of the surprise rally, was pleased with the results.
“It was really cool,” Bedell said. “She came up the aisle with balloons falling down. She was sobbing as the students went crazy cheering.”
Students did a “flash mob” dance at the event along with giving Germanson a scrapbook with remarks from every student in the school written inside.
Bedell said Germanson’s impact on the school, staff and students is worthy of such a grand celebration.
“She eats, sleeps and breathes this place,” she said of her boss.
“She is the cheerleader for the school so it is only appropriate for us to give her a pep rally,” she said.
“It only seemed appropriate to honor her with the whole school celebrating because she is all about the school with everything she does.”
With the all the praise from students and staff, Sister Michelle still remains humble.
“It isn’t about me, it’s about us,” she said. “Though 20 years ago we had a good school and now we have a great school.”
“I’m proud of what we are and who we are,” she said.
