By Evi Fromm BHS Senior
"Just keep being great" is Bellbrook High School Assistant Principal Barry Limon's message for the student body as the 2024-2025 school year begins.
Limon was hired over the summer to replace former assistant principal Todd Whalen, who now serves as principal of Xenia High School.
Before coming to Bellbrook, Limon spent five years in the tiny Butler County district of New Miami. He was Dean of students for three years and principal for one.
"Then after that, they asked me to be the principal of both the middle and high schools for one year."
The village of New Miami sits in St. Clair Township and has a population of roughly 2,000 people.
"Our graduating classes were in the 30s," Limon said. "It was very tiny but a great place to be."
Now in Bellbrook, Limon is in charge of discipline for the 9th and 11th graders and is interacting with triple the amount of students on a daily basis.
"On the first day the staff held a pep rally to welcome everyone back, and as I walked in, one of the cheerleaders said good morning to me personally," Limon said.
"I felt so welcomed knowing that even though the school year hadn´t started yet, students already knew who I was I feel so at home here and I want to absorb all of the Bellbrook kindness and culture that I can from the students and staff."
Growing up outside of Olympia, Washington, Limon attended North Thurston High School.
"My high school was focused on athletics instead of academics," Limon said. "During my time there I played football, wrestling, baseball and soccer not only because it was the thing to do, but because my teams were my family."
Bellbrook is a 5-star rated school, and touts for its equal focus on education, athletics as well as student life.
"Here I feel like I can get involved in everything and connect with so many more students," Limon said. "I see myself staying here for a very long time. It is a great place to be."