Saying Goodbye to Mr. Connolly

By DEREK PERRI

This year, Washingtonville High School is saying goodbye to someone who’s been a huge part of the community of Washingtonville for years — Principal Brian Connolly. After over a decade as our principal (and even longer as a teacher and coach) Mr. Connolly is officially retiring at the end of the school year.

Mr. Connolly actually graduated from WHS back in 1987, so he’s seen the school from both sides — as a student and a leader. He started working here as a social studies teacher in 1996 and also coached football and baseball. Eventually, he became principal, where he’s been inspiring students and helping the school grow ever since.

Throughout his time here, Mr. Connolly has always encouraged students to take pride in themselves and their work. His motto, “Pride, Passion, and Purpose,” is something he reminded us of, hoping to push staff and students to be the best they can be.

Mr. Connolly truly wanted the school to be the best it can be, and he has definitely accomplished that goal. He has left a lasting mark on our school, and his hard work and years of dedication to the Washingtonville community will not be forgotten.

Washingtonville High School senior Kayla Jackson expressed her feelings on Mr. Connolly’s impact stating that “Mr. Connolly has been such a light in our school. He has never been the type of person to just sit in his office; he is always going around talking to students. There has never been a time where I was walking past him in the hallway and he did not say hi. He makes sure every student is welcome and has a place in our school. I can not express how grateful I am that he has been our principal throughout my time here at Washingtonville High School.”

Under his leadership, WHS achieved a lot. For example, the Class of 2024 earned over $3 million in scholarships, and our school became known for unique accomplishments, like being the only school to bring Best Buddies to support athletes at the Special Olympics. We also made it to national competitions in things like Odyssey of the Mind and E-Sports.

When asked about her feelings about her husband leaving Washingtonville High School Mrs. Connolly, a teacher at Washingtonville High School expressed, “To be honest, I can not imagine coming to work without Mr. Connolly being here. I have worked with him throughout the entirety of my career and I can’t begin to explain how much I will miss seeing him during the day.”

Even during tough times, like the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Connolly stayed committed to making things work. He helped organize events like prom and was even seen handing out food to families in the rain.

When asked about his time at Washingtonville High School Mr. Connolly expressed, “As I prepare to retire, I find myself reflecting with immense gratitude on the journey I've had at Washingtonville. This place has been so much more than just a school to me—it's been home. From walking these halls as a student, to returning as a teacher and coach, and ultimately serving the last 15 years as principal, every chapter has been incredibly meaningful. Some of my most cherished memories come from the moments spent with students—watching them grow, achieve, and celebrate their accomplishments. It’s in those interactions that I’ve found the true joy and purpose of my work. I owe so much to WHS. It gave me a strong foundation as a student, the opportunity to give back as an educator, and the profound honor of leading as principal. I’ll never take lightly the trust the community placed in me to help guide this school. What I’m most grateful for, though, is that WHS brought me together with Mrs. Connolly. For the past 25 years, we’ve had the rare and wonderful gift of sharing this journey side by side. To the students, staff, and entire Washingtonville community—thank you. It has truly been the honor of a lifetime. I will miss you all deeply.”

As Mr. Connolly prepares to move on to the next chapter of his life, we want to thank him for everything he’s done. From the classrooms to the hallways to the baseball field, his impact will definitely be remembered.

Thanks for everything, Mr. Connolly — once a Wizard, always a Wizard!