Do you recognize these girls from the 2017 parade?
Following Principal Mary Kellagher through the halls of Northlake Elementary over the past 12 years has been a bit like following Taylor Swift through a crowded concert arena. Children squeal and run over for a hug. They excitedly recount their latest classroom achievement or share a story about their dog. She never stops moving, slowing instead to give each one a cuddle and a high five.
Kellagher is retiring as NLE’s principal, and she’ll be honored by the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands as this year’s Grand Marshal of the Fourth of July Parade. She previously served as assistant principal at Skyview and Thurgood Marshall, and she taught at Stults Road Elementary. She was named Elementary Principal of the Year in 2018.
Kellagher is accustomed to her rock star status by now, and she’s accustomed to spending her days in the principal’s office. When she took the NLE job in 2013, she told Lake Highlands Advocate she only went to the principal’s office once during her childhood, and she was “scared to death” when called. Turns out the eighth grader had earned recognition, and her principal wanted to share his congratulations.
If you’d like to participate in this year’s Exchange Club parade and carnival on July 4, contact Raymond Morrow at Citizenship@ECLH.org. The club is recruiting families, schools and organizations to enter floats in the parade, which steps off at 9 a.m. and runs westward in front of the high school along Church Road. They’re also seeking booths for the carnival, which takes place in Lake Highlands North Park from 9 a.m. to noon.
The Exchange Club is enrolling groups, like these Boy Scouts in 2017, to roll floats down Church Road in the July 4 parade.
Mary Kellagher accepts a check from Amy Timmerman of LHWL.
