St. John's Students Honor Educator With Surprise Farewell Tribute

Some 700 or so students, teachers and parents pulled off the surprise event of a lifetime last week for Assistant Principal Molly LaChapelle, who is retiring from St. John the Evangelist Elementary School after 27 years of service. 

LaChapelle walked into the all-school assembly shortly after lunchtime on Wednesday with no idea of what was about to unfold. The farewell tribute for the longtime educator, who began her career at the Catholic elementary school as a teacher, went off without a hitch with students giving very special performances, grade by grade.

The most amazing part of the entire surprise was that the entire school body, ranging in age from kindergarten through eighth grade, were able to keep mum for an entire week right up until the moment their beloved assistant principal entered the auditorium.

Shortly following the event,  LaChapelle said, “I was very touched by the whole event, from the surprise, and it was a surprise, to the children’s performances, and the kind words of staff and friends.”

“St John the Evangelist is more than a school. It is truly a family. I am leaving my position, but not St. John’s. The staff and families will always be a part of me. As Father Jim said, we know where you live,” she said.

On hand for the event was local politician and longtime friend, Maryland Del. Cathy Vitale, (R-Severna Park) and fellow Maryland del. Tony McConkey, (R-Severna Park), who presented the honoree with a special citation from the Maryland House of Delegates.

“This lady know more about public service than anyone else I know,”  Vitale said during her presentation.

Kathy Hamlett, administrative assistant to the principal, introduced the main portion of the assembly which had several of the grades performing a special selection of songs: "One Small Voice" by the kindergarten students, "We  Are Family" sung by the sixth graders and "Forever Young" by second graders.  

“I will miss Molly for many reasons, professionally and personally,” Hamlett said afterward. “She has guided me as I changed positions here over the years, and I always felt I could go to her for advice and count on her to be upfront and straight with me.”

“On a personal level, she truly has a heart of gold. I feel blessed to have developed a wonderful friendship with her, and it makes me sad that I won't see her on a daily basis," Hamlett said.

Ashlye Vitale, president of the Parent Teacher Association, was among the many well-wishers who presented the retiring educator with a special quilt that had been made by fellow parent Nee Evangelista. The quilt was created from squares decorated by each grade and other groups within the school community.

“Ms. LaChapelle has been a constant source of support for us [parent teacher participation] and has been crucial to our effort and very meaning to you,” she said to the students. “She is woven into the fabric of our lives forever.”

The ceremony continued with longtime personal family friend, school substitute, current school club sponsor and former parent of the school, John Lehmann, speaking in depth about LaChapelle’s impact on the school and each child who has come up through the school during her length of service.

Kristen Zorica from the Drama Club made what turned out to be a very emotional presentation to their club sponsor LaChapelle. The small charm bracelet, as explained during her acceptance, was identical to another she had been given many years earlier during her own stint in a drama club.

But perhaps one of the most heartwarming performances was given by the third graders who, in turn, each gave an idiom to illustrate what the vice principal’s friendship had meant to them individually.

During the short recital, one young student inadvertently referred to LaChapelle as Mrs. Parsley. Principal Sister Linda Larsen later explained that the psuedo name "Mrs. Parsley" had been the one they had been practicing with so as not to give away any secrets.

LaChapelle is a native of St. Paul, MN., and received her master’s in school administration from Johns Hopkins. She taught in the public school systems in Colorado, Minnesota and Maryland prior to coming to teach fifth and sixth grade at St. John’s. She was served as assistant principal at the school for the past 12 years.

After school dismissal the adult end of the party moved into the church gathering space and continued, but not before each student received a parting gingerbread cookie.