GM Bowler Elementary Icon Says Farewell Before Retirement

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

It was a fond farewell at Grant Bowler Elementary in Logandale on the last day of school. And it was more than just the usual summer goodbyes. This year, the Bowler community gave a final sendoff to someone who has become a central trademark element of the school.

On Wednesday, May 26, students, teachers and parents bade farewell to long-time principal Shawna Jessen who will be retiring in July, just after the summer term ends.

In a special Morning Muster gathering of the entire school, the student body and their teachers sent Ms. Jessen off with a rousing rendition of the school song: “We Are Grant M. Bowler”.

“Maybe it was because it was the only time we had a Morning Muster this year because of all the restrictions, but I think it was the most enthusiastic rendition of that song that I have ever heard,” said Jessen in an interview last week. “It was just beautiful. Everyone was just singing their hearts out and they were on pitch and it was just wonderful!”

Jessen said that it has been an emotional finish to a school year that was already made difficult by restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jessen has spent the past 17 years as principal of Bowler. She ran through a list of memories involving stunts that she has pulled over the years to try and keep students engaged in their academics. Jessen is known for making and keeping outrageous promises to her students if they accomplish certain learning goals.

Over the past 17 years, she has kissed a pig, been wrapped as a mummy, taken numerous pies to the face, has been covered in whipped cream, has had large quantities of cold water dumped on her head and more.

“I have loved it!” Jessen said. “It has been a great ride and has brought me a lot of joy working with the kids and the community. Whenever people asked me what was my favorite year, I’d always say ‘The next one’ because there was always something exciting and different coming up.”

Jessen said that the accomplishment she is most proud of is when the school’s academic rating went from a 2-star status to a 5-star status. “That was something that everyone at the school can take credit for,” she said. “We concentrated our efforts on a few things and it worked. That is where it is such a treat to have a staff and teachers that are just so good.”

People from all levels of the school community had words of gratitude about the work that Jessen has done over the past 17 years.

Erin Francom, who has served the past two years as Chairwoman of the Bowler School Organizational Team (SOT) said that Jessen had two amazing qualities that made her a great principal.

The first was to not be imposing to the children. “She is always friendly with the kids and she smiles a lot,” Francom said. “She is a fun person and she has fun with the kids. She sings and dances with them and the kids just love her.”

Jessen’s second great quality is her ability to lead and be a pioneer in out-of-the-box thinking for the school, Francom said.

Evidence of this is the successful Get Smart Groups on Friday afternoons when kids engage in project-based learning each week, Francom said.

Another example cited by Francom was the establishment of the annual Maker Faire event where kids could show off their skills and hobbies and present their work to the public.
“Those kinds of things really put Bowler a cut above the rest,” Francom said.

Brooke Devoge has served for two years as the Bowler PTO President. She expressed appreciation for Jessen being willing to support PTO activities and traditions that involved the community. These include Grandparents Day, Dads and Donuts, Moms and Muffins and, of course, the May Day Dance festival.

“A lot of principals might look at that stuff as just another thing on their plate and might not want to continue them,” Devoge said. “But Ms. Jessen always recognized how important they were to the community. She was always excited about the community engagement at school. And she supported us in doing these things as best we could. Even during the COVID pandemic, her support really kept us in business.”

Darlene Millington is the school’s Office Manager. Millington has worked in the office throughout the entire 17 years that Jessen has been principal.

“Shawna has always cared about every person in the building,” Millington said. “And she cared about their kids and their grandkids, too. She just loved the people here. She has a great ability to make everyone feel special.”

Carolyn Delafrance is a 5th grade teacher who has taught for many years at Bowler. Delafrance praised Jessen for her willingness to allow teachers to try new things and make things exciting for the kids.

“When I think back on my career working with Shawna, I have been blessed to be able to put my crazy ideas into play,” Delafrance said. “These includes things such as field trips, quiz bowls, science projects and more. Bowler is an incredible place to work and Shawna is the legend who has guided us to be the successful school that we are.”

Jessen concluded by emphasizing what an exceptional school she has had the privilege of leading for 17 years.

“Really it comes back to that well-known quote from Grant M. Bowler himself,” Jessen said. “It has been an honor to be part of ‘the best school, in the best community, in the best state of the best nation in all the world’. I have been so blessed to rub shoulders with so many great people!”