Saturday’s graduation ceremonies at Sturgeon Bay were not just goodbye for the senior class, but also for their principal. Bob Nickel will say goodbye to Sturgeon Bay High School at the end of the school year next week after 15 years in the position. There have been plenty of moments over the years that have led Nickel to two questions: Why did I ever want to do this? and How could I imagine doing anything else? Nickel says he never thought he would be a principal through a pandemic, but he is happy it worked out that way in his final year.

His favorite moment of being a principal always happens on graduation day for just a split a second after the National Anthem when he gets to gaze upon the senior class as a whole one final time.

Nickel was honored with his own graduation of sorts earlier this month when he was surprised by the school body with a ceremony featuring the high school band, and of course a cap and gown.