BRHS student takes on principal role for a day principal for a day

EAST COUNTY — Sean Kennedy eyed a student sitting on a bench and looked to Braden River High Assistant Principal Don French for approval. He got the go ahead.

“What are you doing?” Kennedy asked the student, who was supposed to be in a morning class. “Take a hike.”

Kennedy, a ninth-grader at Braden River High, took on the role of co-assistant principal for the day with French April 17.

The 16-year-old’s parents, Austin and Betsy Kennedy, won a bid at the For the Love of the Game dinner and silent auction March 13, for Kennedy to assume the temporary role.

He woke up at 6 a.m., ready to start his day after setting out his suit the night before.

His day started with traffic duty at 7:15 a.m., glow wand in hand.

“(Directing traffic) was a lot of work, and my feet hurt,” Kennedy said. “But I liked it.”

To show his temporary authority, Kennedy jokingly fired and rehired one of his favorite teachers, Coach Bob Bowling.

Kennedy’s friend, Austin Clarke, suggested Kennedy create a few rules of his own.

“If I were you, I would say cellphones are OK all day,” Clarke said. “Or you should leave early.”

The administrator’s favorite aspect of the day was watching Kennedy take charge.

“He’s so smart and perceptive,” French said. “This day was one of the most fun things I’ve done.”

 “Mr. French never flinched about spending the day with a special needs child,” Betsy Kennedy said. “That’s heartwarming for me as a mother.”

Kennedy might have a tough time giving up his new role.

 “Later that night, he couldn’t stop talking about wearing a suit and riding in a golf cart with Mr. French,” Betsy Kennedy said.