by Theodore Wiesehan

    Dear Mr. Murphy,
     You are the best.
     Your ties are cool.
     When you squirt ketchup everybody goes, "Wow."
     You can do a lot of really cool stuff, and I mean a lot.
     -Garret Richters, Centennial Elementary student
     Dr. Brian Maher, Centennial School superintendent, kicked off a school and community ceremony Feb. 3 honoring the accomplishments of Centennial Elementary Principal Mark Murphy by reading the above letter to a crowd of students, government representatives and community members in the Centennial school gym.
     The Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals recently selected Murphy as Nebraska Distinguished Elementary Principal of 2006.
     Beloved by Centennial students as the principal who squirts ketchup from great heights, ties shoes and zips coats for his youngest students and greets every child by name each morning, Murphy is now being honored by the State of Nebraska, as Gov. Dave Heineman and Sen. Elaine Stuhr both spoke at the event recognizing Murphy's achievement.
     "You have someone that loves and cares for you, and that is a great honor," Stuhr said of Murphy, addressing the Centennial community.
     Stuhr also read a congratulatory letter from U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel.
     "Your passion and commitment to education helps give our young people the opportunity to succeed," Hagel wrote to Murphy.
     Gov. Heineman formally presented the distinguished principal award and appointed Murphy as an admiral in the Nebraska navy.
     "Children are our hope for the future," Heineman said. He spoke of the importance of giving children the tools necessary for success, "and there is no more powerful tool than knowledge."
     Most illustrative of Murphy's connection with children and success as principal was the appreciation shown by his students, who honored their principal through several skits and a song.
     The kindergarten, first- and second-grade classes highlighted Murphy's close rapport with his students and staff through a skit based on a typical day in the life of the beloved principal.
     Grades three and four presented a list of "the top 10 reasons Mr. Murphy is the most distinguished principal of Nebraska." Murphy's ketchup-squirting abilities came in at number six, while his knowledge of each student's name and the ability to make them feel special edged out his morning greeting for the number one slot.
     "Undeniably ultimate principal" was one title fifth- and sixth-grade students bestowed upon Murphy, as the classes spelled out "Mr. Murphy" out letter-by-letter, following each letter with an honorary title beginning with that letter.
     The entire elementary student body joined in singing a song they created to honor Murphy, entitled "What a Wonderful Guy," sung to the tune of "What a Wonderful World."
     The Centennial staff presented Murphy with a framed grouping of photos, while the booster club announced they will plant a tree at the Centennial playground next to a placard honoring Murphy. The Centennial Elementary Student Council, which Murphy established five years ago, also presented him with a plaque.
     Murphy has served Centennial elementary principal for 12 years, and worked as a high school counselor at Centennial the previous 10 years.
     Speaking at the close of the ceremony, Murphy said he was "truly overwhelmed."
     He quoted former NFL Hall of Fame running-back, Tony Dorsett, who said, "To succeed you need to find something to hold onto, something to motivate you and something to inspire you."
     The values of his upbringing provided Murphy with something to hold onto, he said.
     Murphy said his motivation comes from the people around him, including his wife, Nancy; children, Brent and Kelli; former Centennial superintendent Ron Oswald, who pushed Murphy to get his administrative degree; past and present Centennial administrations; and the Centennial Board of Education.
     For inspiration, Murphy looks to the past and present staff of Centennial, he said.
     "They are amazingly good at what they do, and even better people," he said.
     Of course Murphy receives a good deal of inspiration from his students, as well.
     "I consider the children and students of this district to be the heart and soul of why we do what we do," Murphy said.
     Murphy closed his remarks with another quote, this time from entertainer Danny Thomas.
     "Success has nothing to do with what you gain or achieve for yourself," he said. "It's measured by what you do for others."
     If the outpouring of support and endearment at the recent Centennial ceremony are any indication, Murphy has had a very successful career as far as Thomas's criteria are concerned.