Karrie Meyers – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Mile High Academy (MHA) saw its youngest principal yet when Ruby, a bright and enthusiastic fourth-grade student, took charge for a memorable morning on September 14. The unique opportunity was purchased by her grandmother during MHA’s Eat, Mingle & Give annual live auction event hosted earlier in spring and allowed Ruby to enjoy an eventful morning in the shoes of MHA principal Andrew Carpenter.
Ruby’s morning kicked off with getting her Junior Principal name badge before heading to the lower school chapel where she joined her fellow students by singing songs and listening to a worship thought by Pastor Hugo Guillen. Right after chapel, and one of the highlights of her principal duties, she was allowed to pull the fire alarm for the school’s monthly drill.
“It was fun and loud,” Ruby said and quickly added she will never pull it again unless she is asked.
The adventure continued as Ruby visited the kindergarten music class then moved into the preschool/pre-kindergarten art class where she lent her artistic assistance. From art class, she proceeded back to the cafeteria where she listened in on the upper school chapel. “I liked the upper school chapel, but I didn’t know the words to their songs,” she said.
Ruby’s warm-hearted nature was evident as she read two beloved books, “Crow in the Snow” and “Fox in the Box,” to the preschool class during story time. She even got a taste of what it’s like to be interviewed by a reporter when Karrie Meyers, MHA’s marketing and development coordinator, approached her for a news article.
Throughout the morning, Ruby spread joy by waving and greeting her fellow students as she walked around campus with Mr. Carpenter. The principal team also enjoyed a Chick-Fil-A lunch, complete with chocolate milkshakes. To cap off her exciting morning, Ruby treated her class to ice cream sandwiches, celebrating her successful stint as principal.
Ruby contrasted her time at MHA and her morning as junior principal with her previous school, where she said she rarely saw her principal. Here at MHA, Ruby often encounters Mr. Carpenter, whom she admires for playing the guitar. “Mr. Carpenter plays the guitar during chapel, and I love the guitar,” she said.
Reflecting on her special morning, Ruby expressed her wish for the day to continue, adding, “’I’m having a really good time. Wish it could be all day.” However, despite her newfound junior principal role, Ruby’s dreams still revolve around becoming an artist.
Mr. Carpenter offered his praise for Ruby’s accomplishments, stating, “Ruby fulfilled her role as junior principal exceptionally well. She thoughtfully expressed her gratitude to several of our teachers through thank-you notes and warmly greeted her fellow students. While we already value Ruby and her family as integral members of our school community, her extraordinary contributions as junior principal enhanced the already wonderful atmosphere here at MHA. Congratulations, Ruby, on a job well done.”
—Karrie Meyers is the marketing and development coordinator at Mile High Academy. Photos supplied.
