Dear Mr. U,

When you first came to our school, I didn't think you would have such an impact on my life. I didn't think you would have such an impact on the school. I was wrong. Throughout the four years there, you believed in every single one of us. You put the student's needs and the school's needs ahead of your own. You were one of the most selfless people I had ever met. For that I thank you.

You got to know us. You asked about our days, made sure we were okay. You could always brighten a students' day by walking up and going "THERE SHE/HE IS." You made us laugh by doing your signature dance moves and just by being involved with us.

I won't forget when you joined some students rapping as "M.C. U" with the assistant principal as "M. Nice." It was by far a hilarious thing I had ever seen. That just showed how much you really did love us, even if we didn't always recognize it. I know as a student body, we didn't always see eye to eye with you. Sometimes we felt you were being unfair, too harsh, but looking back on it, I know you only had our best interest at heart. You saw the potential in every single one of us and pushed us to achieve more.

You took the time to be not only our principal but our teacher as well. Teaching my theater history class shows how dedicated you were to our learning. Personally, you helped me grow as a student. You knew my weakness and my fears getting ready for the U.S History regents. You took time out of your day to help me, along with a few other students and worked with us. You worked with us in your office, in the computer lab, to the point where we could do flash rounds with questions. You made me feel so confident when taking the test and because of you, I passed with a 97! I was not expecting to pass with such a high score. I did because you believed in me and helped me.

As much as I told myself that I was dying to get out of high school, leaving you and the rest of the staff behind really got to me. It was evident at graduation. I was just a ball of tears that day. Having you hand me my diploma really solidified that my time was up. How lucky was I to have you and an amazing group of teachers? To have something so good it made it hard to say goodbye? Those four years, I was dreaming about my graduation day. Then it came and I didn't want it to be over because I had grown to appreciate everything that was done for me. Everything YOU had done for me, my class, and the school.

You cared so much for the safety of your students that at dismissal you would walk outside and down the block from Times Square. You would see us passing by, talk to us, wish us a safe ride home. You knew and saw everything going on. I don't know any other principal who would do that for their students.

I think the thing I miss most about high school are your "life speeches." You would come into our class and discuss the current events going on. We'd talk about our futures with you and our goals and dreams. You would tell us about the things you had learn in life and pass them off to us. You just wanted us to believe in ourselves and the things we could accomplish beyond the walls of our school.

I was devastated to learn that you were leaving to go to another school. To see the outpour of love and support from the class of 2016 was beautiful. The video they made for you just reminded me of how amazing you truly were to us. I wish you nothing but luck in your future endeavors. I really hope the next school truly appreciates and understands how lucky they are to have you.

"THERE HE GOES."