By: Jaclyn Chen <[email protected]>

Although the women’s basketball team marked Carmel history by capturing the 100th State Championship, one person has seen 98 others. That one person, according to Principal John Williams, is Assistant Principal John Abell, who is retiring this year after more than three decades here.

“He absolutely loves this school and education in general,” Williams said. “Carmel High School will miss him, and I will surely miss him.” With Abell and Administrative Assistant Bob Grenda retiring at the end of the year, Williams said he is nearly ready to announce the replacements, pending school board approval.
Williams said that he hopes to have the two names ready for approval by the March 24 school board meeting.

According to Williams, Assistant Principal Kathy Luessow is currently set to replace Abell. Luessow’s current responsibilities pertain mostly to the Freshman Center, so Williams said that the administration is looking for someone to fill her post. At press time, Williams said that he had not yet chosen a candidate to take over for Grenda’s responsibilities, also in the Freshman Center.

Williams said that there were over 100 applications for the two positions. Most came from inside the Carmel school district and nearby districts, but there were about a dozen from other states, Williams said. The selection process includes a paper application and an interview by a 10-person committee, which makes its recommendation to Williams. That committee includes students, teachers, parents and community members. Williams then interviews the recommended applicants and makes his final choice for School Board approval.

Senior Kellie Knieper said that she has worked with Grenda as part of the student committee for the Alumni Hall of Fame, of which Grenda is currently in charge. “He’s been such a great influence on the school, and he will be missed,” she said. “Although he is more of a behind-the-scenes administrator, he definitely connects with the students.” Although the women’s basketball team marked Carmel history by capturing the 100th State Championship, one person has seen 98 others. That one person, according to Principal John Williams, is Assistant Principal John Abell, who is retiring this year after more than three decades here.

“He absolutely loves this school and education in general,” Williams said. “Carmel High School will miss him, and I will surely miss him.” With Abell and Administrative Assistant Bob Grenda retiring at the end of the year, Williams said he is nearly ready to announce the replacements, pending school board approval.

Williams said that he hopes to have the two names ready for approval by the March 24 school board meeting.

According to Williams, Assistant Principal Kathy Luessow is currently set to replace Abell. Luessow’s current responsibilities pertain mostly to the Freshman Center, so Williams said that the administration is looking for someone to fill her post. At press time, Williams said that he had not yet chosen a candidate to take over for Grenda’s responsibilities, also in the Freshman Center.

Williams said that there were over 100 applications for the two positions. Most came from inside the Carmel school district and nearby districts, but there were about a dozen from other states, Williams said. The selection process includes a paper application and an interview by a 10-person committee, which makes its recommendation to Williams. That committee includes students, teachers, parents and community members. Williams then interviews the recommended applicants and makes his final choice for School Board approval.

Senior Kellie Knieper said that she has worked with Grenda as part of the student committee for the Alumni Hall of Fame, of which Grenda is currently in charge. “He’s been such a great influence on the school, and he will be missed,” she said. “Although he is more of a behind-the-scenes administrator, he definitely connects with the students.”