Although recent budget cut discussions have shaken CHS with arduous controversy, a valuable asset to the school, as well as a student favorite, has been given a promotion. On Monday night, Feb. 25, Mr. Ryan Luhning was named a new assistant principal, joining the administrative team of Dr. Marci Pieper and Dr. Dan Gutchewsky.

Luhning, after meeting with a student and preparing for another meeting, spoke enthusiastically, yet humbly, about his new position, “I’m really excited about the promotion and title, but it has been kind of a strange journey. I wasn’t thinking about going in this direction, yet I’m excited about seeing the big picture of this district and getting the feeling of making a stamp on the school.”

It has been a semester full of change for Luhning; besides changing administrative titles, he has also had to get used to watching basketball games on the side opposite the player and coaches, and the lessened contact with students. “I know that I’m going to miss the day to day contact with students and the basketball team. Although I used to meet with kids about detentions and other issues like that, I loved to see kids learn from their mistakes,” Luhning said.

“I’m definitely going to have to force myself to get out there and work harder to get to know the kids that aren’t getting in trouble and see what inspires them, because that’s what I valued most about the position.”

Luhning has also prepared for the magnitude of the duties he will be required to perform as assistant principal. He described going to tenth-twelfth grade leadership conferences, and the district leadership council. There, Luhning learned a lot about making major decisions, as well as dominant educational topics and how they affect Clayton students. “It has really given me a different perspective, and I look forward to continuing to look at the things that make us who we are as a district.”

Although his position is consumed by the necessity to focus on big-time district policy and discipline, Luhning could be found standing faithfully by the court at basketball games, including the Coaches vs. Cancer event at Ladue High School on Friday, Feb. 15.

“It’s going to be hard working mainly with adults and with serious disciplinary action, but if I work hard enough, I think I can maintain my relationship with the students at CHS.”

Despite students having to face the difficult prospect of losing CHS staff in the wake of budget cuts, Luhning looks forward to a new chapter in his education-driven career. “Hopefully, I’ll be here for quite awhile.”