Dear Students of Granite Falls High School,
As we all know, Mr. Kniseley had his going away walkthrough last month. As we sat down for his last and final interview, we wanted to send him off with an article which is truly written in the key of Mr. Kniseley. What you may not know about him is that behind the scenes, he really did work tirelessly to make our lives better while he was here. And while he may have seemed a bit monotone at times, it was his leadership that pulled this place together the past couple of years. (For example: Did you know he came up with the term ‘We Are Granite?’ Which has become our school mantra now.) In a sense, it is like he is graduating with this year’s Seniors (the Freshmen he started with). We appreciate you, Mr. Kniseley. And without further ado, here is your exit article:
As many of us know, our principal of the last 4 years, Mr. John Kniseley is taking his career elsewhere next school year. Throughout his time as principal at Granite Falls High School, Mr. Kniseley has done some epic things, and we thought we’d get a last few words from him before his last day.
Mr. Kniseley brought a unique blend of military discipline and educational passion to our district. Before joining the GFHS staff, he served as a naval officer and held administrative roles in various schools across various states, such as Washington, California, and Florida. Many say his background of diverse experiences enriched our school’s operations and way of functioning. As retirement grows closer for Mr. Kniseley, he thought it might be time to go back to having a bit more military involvement, instead of finishing out his career as a civilian.
As he prepares to take on his new role as a Senior Naval Science Instructor for an NJROTC (Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps) Unit in Tallahassee, Florida, we wondered what final words of wisdom he had for his Granite family, and for his successor, Mr. Ryan Pike. “I’d probably give the same advice I was given when I was going off to my first principal-ship when I was down in California, and that is to spend the first year learning. Don’t make any crazy or rash decisions, but take the time to learn from the school and the community; learn how things work currently, and what can be improved on in the future.” During his tenure here, Mr. Kniseley made sure to emphasize the importance of academic excellence and asking for help when you need it. He has tried to make sure that us students are well-prepared for life beyond high school.
But beyond academics, Mr. Kniseley was a familiar face at school events and in the halls, always cheering on our teams and celebrating our accomplishments. His positive attitude made him a favorite among the students and staff at GFHS. “Regardless of where I am, I will always be cheering for my Granite family, and wishing everyone in Granite Falls the absolute best”, he says.
From all of us here at Granite Falls High School, thank you Mr. Kniseley, for your unwavering commitment and support during your time here. Your legacy will live on for years to come.
