Last year, Assistant Principal Hank Willems shocked the Bethany community with news that it would be his final year working at the school. Along with being assistant principal, Hank was the boy’s varsity soccer coach and taught Algebra I to the middle schoolers. Since Hank was involved in areas other than the administration, his decision made an even bigger wave among the Bethany community.
For the last 6 years, Hank coached the boys soccer team to 5 conference championships, 2 sectional championships, 1 regional championship, and a Final 4 appearance. He has left a strong legacy, with a .713 winning percentage, barely eclipsing Daniel “Bod” Bodiker’s .707%. Hank now continues coaching for his 9 year old son Beck’s travel soccer team and his 7 year old daughter Zoe’s team.
Hank also made many lasting relationships with his co-workers at Bethany. Regarding these co-workers, Hank says that he loved “spending the day with my coworkers who share so many of the values that I have.” However, Hank has moved on and is now Quality Assurance Manager at Indiana Plastics, in Elkhart. This business is co-owned by his wife’s family, and Hank works to make sure all of their customers are satisfied with the quality of the products. Hank remarks, “I miss knowing…what I am doing in my job, but it is going better as I learn a new trade.”
Hank also misses many other things about Bethany. “Disrupting classes, telling really good jokes, and sharing my faith on a daily basis” are just a few of these things. He really enjoyed interacting with the students, and being able to relate to us.
But, changes do happen. When Hank made the decision to leave, it was largely based on his limited interaction with his kids. He would often have to leave for school before they got up and get home when they were in bed. Now, with more strict hours, Hank is able to enjoy quality time with his kids and is able to coach their sports teams, something he couldn’t do easily while at Bethany.
As we know, Hank has been replaced as assistant principal by our own Tim Lehman and the varsity boy’s soccer coach position has been filled by former assistant, Mark Yoder.
Hank wants to make sure that we know how much he misses this place and being able to converse with each of us. He says, “Bethany is a special place that is easy to take for granted when you are there every day. Make the most of each and every opportunity you have.”
~ Caleb Morris
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