CHS Students Surprise Gallagher With A Special Sendoff
June 19, 2009 by Josh Morgan
At around 9:45 a.m., Cheshire High School principal Judith Gallagher was informed there was an incident that she needed to investigate near the football field immediately.
As a fellow administrator led her outside on June 16, a golf cart, adorned with white and red balloons, was waiting for her. She hopped in and was lead to the Maclary Athletic Complex, as the CHS Ram Band played upbeat music and more than a thousand Cheshire High School students roared with appreciation, admiration, and affection.
Next week, when the school year officially ends and the Class of 2009 graduates, Gallagher will be retiring after more than three decades in education. As a special tribute, during third period on this cloudy Tuesday morning, “Judy Jam 2009” was taking place.
Maggie Riddle, co-president of the CHS Student Senate, explained that the event was a nice way to honor Gallagher for her years of service. Gallagher has worked in the Cheshire school system since 1972, and became principal of CHS in 2005. Riddle said the event took months to organize, but the look of surprise on Gallagher’s face made it all worthwhile.
“She became principal with this graduating class,” Riddle said. “We wanted to do this for her because she did so much for us.”
The bleachers beneath the press box were filled to the brim with nearly 100 sitting students filling out the track. One student held up a sign that read “We Love Judy” and, many times during the ceremony, students chanted Gallagher’s named and let out raucous applause.
“Should I be worried that the whole building emptied out without me knowing,” Gallagher joked. “Yes, I should.”
Gallagher said that she is often asked what she will miss most about Cheshire in her retirement and she said that “this is it.”
“I’ll miss the people,” she said. “And my suggestion for the new principal is to take the time to learn the culture and people of Cheshire High School.”
CHS Class of 2009 President Marcus Wright said he had nothing tangible to give Gallagher, he only had his words. He explained leadership is something a principal needs to have, an “essential trait” that Gallagher possessed, he commented. He said the job requires patience and compassion and believed Gallagher had encompassed those characteristics.
The vocal choir sang a song that brought a calming silence over the otherwise rambunctious crowd. A large banner that read, “Best Wishes, Ms. Gallagher” stretched across the press box, and red and white streamers were everywhere. The CHS Student Senate presented Gallagher with a plaque of recognition and the Class of 2009 officers had her open her gifts on the field.
Ralph Zingarella, chair of CHS’s Social Studies Department, said he might be one of the few teachers still around that has worked with Gallagher since 1972. He said she has transformed from a teacher to an administrator, all while working hard for CHS.
“She is a great teacher who grew into a wonderful administrator,” Zingarella said. “She is compassionate, caring, and understanding, and that’s what you need in a leader. She made us excited to come to work every day.”
CHS Student Senate co-president Joe Gagliardi said Gallagher always supported the Senate and other student activities and felt the event was a way to show her their appreciation.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better principal,” Gagliardi said. “Being principal is a special position and she has always supported us. We owed this to her.”
Afterwards, Gallagher joked that, when she first saw the golf cart, she knew she was going to be “in trouble.” She admitted that she was surprised by the ceremony and appreciated the students’ sentiments.
“I never would have expected this,” Gallagher said. “But it was nice, it was very good.”