The final mic drop: Spence’s farewell after 9 years at Ames high
May 17, 2019
Imagine the perfect scene. A gym, lacking air conditioning, fills with over a thousand students. Full of underclassmen, upperclassmen, the best teachers, the worst teachers, and the okay teachers all together in one space. The skippers have skipped, the ISU class attendees are at their classes, and the rest of the student body is completely silent. Spence Evans is reciting the typical school spirit spiel and all is at peace in the world. His Ames High pride is evident in the huge grin on his face, the iconic Ames high jacket he’s wearing, and the letter A tattooed on his arm. The speech ends and the crowd goes wild, mildly excited for the new school year to begin, but mostly for lunch or class with Mr. Webb. Then, a completely unexpected, all of a sudden, THUD. The thunderous bang that shocked the world. The microphone hits the floor. The loud crash signals the end of the speech and the beginning of something new. The techies cry silently and the seniors cheer triumphantly. The end and the beginning all mixed into one historic moment. This, right here, is the final mic drop.
Things are constantly changing, people move on, and new opportunities arise. The coming alterations of each new season of life are hard adjustments and are oftentimes bittersweet for the person leaving and everyone else around them. This one is particularly bittersweet for our beloved principal, Spence.
He loves the pride, enthusiasm, and drive, the students of Ames high have to offer. While being a diverse school, students are talented in many areas and seek more from this small-town Iowa life given to them in Ames.
He strongly believes that Ames High is unique, with exceptionally creative people that he’s truly proud to call his students, especially the senior class.
Spence feels as though he’s grown up with the current senior class and will be graduating with them this year. His last will be their last and he’s excited to leave Ames high with them at the end of the month. Senior Iluda Ko has especially been a friend to Spence throughout his time here at Ames high.
“As an og member of Spence’s big bois, I know that Ames high school won’t be the same without him,” said Iluda, president of NHS and leader of various other clubs at Ames high. As a huge figure for students, Spence is truly loved among students and staff alike.
To Spence, Ames high is a special place. His kids went here, his wife works here, and his whole family considers Ames high as home. Leaving the students, the staff, and the all wonderful people Mr. Evans has worked with throughout the years, will be a huge change. However, change is inevitable and this change will definitely alter the already changing future of Ames high as we know it. Not just for him, but our memories as students will be altered as well.
When asked about his favorite Ames high memory, it was difficult for Spence to even fathom the order of the list. While being known for his pride for Ames high, one of the first things he thought of was the momentum of the marching band entering the field for the first time before a football game. Football games in general are one of Spence’s favorites. The strong smell of the September air that fills the student section, covered with orange and black spirit, and beaming with enthusiasm for our team. The beautiful fall sky that, as you look to the right scoreboard, is covered with cotton candy clouds and a stunning sunset, symbolizing the end of a school week. And if you happen to glance over to the field, maybe, just maybe, you could see Spence. Standing on the side of the football field, looking around. At the school he’s been a principal of for 9 years of his life, the school he has raised and is incredibly proud of. Truly a scene that any student of Ames High can remember and cherish.
