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Illinois high school principal gets surprise farewell before retirement

Students lined up along Slaughter’s route with signs, cheering “thank you” and “goodbye”

ALTON, Ill. — It was a surprise that Principal Mike Slaughter will remember for a lifetime.

For the last 40 years, Slaughter had walked eight blocks to and from Marquette Catholic High School in Alton, Illinois.

But Thursday’s walk was like no other.

It was the last day before his retirement and as he began walking, he was welcomed by crowds of students and school faculty, all ready to give him a very special farewell.

“I don’t know how he walked every day, but I hope we make it a good last walk for him," senior student Matt Lehr said.

Students lined up along Slaughter’s route with signs and cheered “thank you” and “goodbye.”

Given the high turnout, it was obvious Principal Slaughter’s passion for his work didn’t go unnoticed.

“If you love what you are doing, you'll never work a day in your life. I've always tried to work hard, but I don't feel like it was work; it was love,” Slaughter said.

He told 5 On Your Side that he cared for every student like they were his own.

“Somebody will say, 'Well, do you have a kid out there?' I'll say, 'Yeah, they're all my kids.' That's how I feel, they're all my kids. I love them,” Slaughter said.

Slaughter’s wife Cindy also recently retired from working at Alton City Hall.

A big congratulations to both!

Below is a full video of the special moment from the school's Facebook page:

Mike Slaughter's Last Walk Home

Today was the last day of school for the 2020-21 school year, and with Principal Mike Slaughter retiring, also his last walk home. Mr. Slaughter lives a few blocks from school and has made the walk to school for more than 40 years as a coach, teacher and the last 16 years as principal. #OnExplorers #Retirement

Posted by Marquette Catholic High School on Thursday, May 13, 2021

The video has more than 5,000 views and hundreds of likes and comments. 

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