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Wetzel named state asst. principal of year
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Great Bend High School Assistant Principal Randy Wetzel was recently selected as the 2018 Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals (KASSP) Assistant Principal of the Year.  

“This is truly an outstanding honor to be recognized by your peers,” said Dr. Bret Church, KASSP Executive Director.

KASSP is an organization of more than 450 secondary school principals from across the state. Wetzel was nominated and selected by peer principals. Candidates are evaluated on their school leadership, school improvement, dedication, professionalism and service to students.

Wetzel graduated from GBHS in 1973 and has college degrees from Barton Community College, St. Mary of the Plains and Kansas State University. He has taught at Ell Saline High School, Russell High School, Seward Community College and Pan American University. He also coached high school basketball and led the team to a state championship.

He currently oversees the GBHS CTE Pathways and is especially pleased with the development of the Health Science Pathway that allowed the high school to add a full-time trainer.

“I just try to do the best for our students every day,” Wetzel said. “Being recognized by your peers is an honor – not sure I deserve it – but it’s nice to be recognized for your efforts in doing what you believe is in the best interest of kids, representing USD 428 and the Great Bend community.”

“Randy has been an outstanding assistant principal for years,” said Tim Friess, GBHS principal. “This honor is well-deserved and long overdue. He has single-handedly turned our CTE program around and made it into a model for other schools to emulate. He is very deserving of this honor and recognition.”

“Mr. Wetzel is a great administrator for Great Bend High School and I appreciate all he does for the students and staff of USD 428,” Superintendent Khris Thexton said. 

“Mr. Wetzel has had a major impact on many lives during his time at GBHS his calm and level-headed demeanor allow him to work with anyone and generate solutions to issues before major problems occur,” he said. 

“I consider it an honor to know Mr. Wetzel and I feel he is a well-deserving honoree for Assistant Principal of the Year and I look forward to seeing him at GBHS for many years to come.”

Wetzel will receive recognition at the KASSP 2018 Kansas Principals Conference Honors Reception on Nov. 7 at the Wichita DoubleTree.