By: Nathalie Froment | March 3 2021 |
It’s only appropriate that the first issue of this newspaper start with a farewell to Ms. McKenna. She has led KSS and KCVI through so many firsts during her five years as principal that it’s only right that we squeeze one more in before she leaves us. On February 4th, 2021 our principal, Talya McKenna, publicly announced that she was leaving Kingston Secondary School to become the Senior Human Resources Lead for the Limestone District School Board. Ms. McKenna was the last ever principal at KCVI, and the first at KSS, however this was not the only "first" that she has orchestrated in her five years as principal at our school.
Throughout her years as principal, Ms. McKenna has always been extremely supportive of sports, clubs, and all equity initiatives at school, including but not limited to Harmony and staff equity training. Ms. McKenna has been an amazing role model for every student who walks into the school, and we, as a student body, should be proud to have had the opportunity to know her. She is always there when anyone needs her, and can make anyone smile, even in the worst of times.
On a personal note, Ms. McKenna has been a huge part of my life for the past three years, and I wish I didn’t have to ever say goodbye. I’ve been trying to think of the things I’ll miss the most about her and there are so many, however her hugs on bad days truly mean the most. I am eternally grateful for everything that she has done for me and so happy for her, although a part of me wishes that she had waited a year and a half so I could leave first.
She will be dearly missed by all at KSS, although we wish her the best in her future ventures. In creating this article I reached out to a few students, and they had this to say about her:
“Ms. McKenna is absolutely the sweetest principal I have ever had and it hurts to see her go. Her smile just lights up the whole school; she is so friendly and kind to everyone. Whenever I see her, she always is so lovely and I really do enjoy talking to her. Farewell Ms. McKenna, you will be missed greatly.”
“I’ve experienced first hand the love and care she has for the students of KCVI/KSS and it has been amazing to be around someone who cares so much about their students.”
“Ms. McKenna is a very approachable and cool person. You could sit down and have a personal conversation with her just as easily as anyone else. All I’ve ever heard is praise for her, she’s been referred to as ‘the best principal around’. I’ll miss her and I’m thankful for the ways she has prepared us for the years to come at KSS.”
Ms. McKenna was such a fantastic principal and will forever be missed, but I would be remiss to not take this opportunity to welcome Ms. Scarlett to our school. She has some big shoes to fill, but from what I have heard she will fit right in.
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