Everybody digs Mr. Higgs
By Olivia Kerber
Photo of Mr. Higgs taken by Reagan Rozzi
Whether you find him patrolling the Ram Cafe, listening to the Arctic Monkeys or setting up the ACT for juniors, Mr. Higgs is one of Owasso High School's most cherished administrators. Despite only working for Owasso Public Schools for only two years, his love for his students shines through his work at our school.
This year is Higgs’s first year as the Junior principal, and this comes with various responsibilities. Recently, these responsibilities have been organizing both the ACT for juniors and state testing.
Describing his strategies for arranging the test, Higgs states, “You take other people's stuff, and then you make it your own. We are a very collaborative admin team, so I had all of Mrs. Vrskas stuff from last year. I just made it to where I liked it. Instead of sending teachers [multiple] emails, I had a doc, [I put] everything on the doc… I think it worked out.”
Even though things worked out eventually, there were still some hiccups along the way.
“So, crazy story. [We] are running the ACT in the Wellness Center, and I [have] forty kids in there, nothing crazy, and all of the lights go out. Luckily, the wifi was still going. So I'm getting over [to the Wellness Center], and they are testing in the dark. The I.T. guys come and say there is twenty minutes until the wifi is going down… So I [called] Mrs. Whiddon, and I told her I needed forty chairs up in the East Gym.” Laughing, Higgs said, “I don't know where they came from, but she got it done. So then for the writing test, I just moved them across [campus].”
On top of the busyness of the ACT, he had to organize state testing for the Junior class the following week.
“The history and science test is one of those things, you know, you just got to get it done. I was so focused on the ACT, I was locked in. The state tests were kinda the redheaded child of the ACT.” Higgs smiled, expressing, “Was it to my standard? Nah.”
While his duties as a principal can be challenging, Higgs still finds time to find enjoyment in his chaotic, everyday routine. Higgs certainly has a ‘chill’ demeanor in his workplace and in his conversations.
When asked about his daily practices, Higgs asserts, “Who knows, it's a mixed bag. I love it.”
Despite the ever-changing duties as a principal, Higgs adores his job, and his students adore him as well. His superior judgment isn't just defined by his choice in test dates; his exquisite taste also extends to music. Higgs has one piece of advice for his beloved students—
“Mt. Joy, go see them live.”