The following is this week’s I AM, YOU ARE, WE ARE Honoree by Jodie Ingram and Kendra Milliken
This week’s I am, You are, We are recipient is Donald Stagen. His nomination was so beautifully written, I wanted to share it in its entirety. The below has been written by Mr. Stagen’s granddaughter, Kendra Milliken.
The Man in the Orange Hat
No, no. It’s not some avid hunter that would obviously first come to mind when you mention a man in an orange hat, It’s Mr. Armstrong High School himself, Donald Stagen. One can’t deny that a bright orange hat would be hard to miss, but it has been a staple in Stagen’s wardrobe for years and has become his identity.
This year Mr. Stagen will be retiring for the second time from Armstrong High School. He first retired back in 1992 as the high school principal and industrial arts teacher. One might not think it’s a big deal to retire a second time, but this one is special. He has worked for the same school district for 66 years! 34 years as the Industrial Arts teacher, which 22 of them he was the principal then an additional 32-year continuance as a full-time sports bus driver and substitute bus driver.
Stagen started his career back in the 1958-1959 school year as an Industrial Arts teacher. He was quickly approached by Bob Bezely to keep the scorebook for the basketball team. He would continue to keep the scorebook and drove the bus for boys’ basketball games till his wife became ill back in 2009 (52 years). But even then, he only stopped keeping the book. He continued to drive for the team till about 2 or 3 years ago. Mr. Stagen would load up his wife on the bus with him so that they could continue going to games that they both enjoyed. During that time, he worked for 15 basketball coaches, seeing two teams lead by Hank Hornbeck and Bill Mulvaney to state playoffs, and resulted in his induction into the Illinois Basketball coaches Association Hall of Fame as a Friend of basketball.
In his 66 years at ATHS Mr. Stagen has been a pillar of the community and the school. Before his initial retirement in 1992 he was the junior class sponsor for 2 years, the student council sponsor for 32 years, Athletic Director for 4 years, president of the Iroquois Conference, and President/Vice President/Secretary/Treasurer for the Vermilion County Principal Association. While at the helm of the Principal Association he was instrumental in the move of the tournament to Danville Civic Center and also in creating the cheerleading competition. He also helped build the Bob Bezely Gymnasium at ATHS in 1967 and also designed himself the machine shed addition. Stagen and the former Superintendent formed the initial funding to create VOTEC, a staple in Vermilion County Schools for years.
In his 66 years of service to ATHS there were also years that he drove the bus for other schools such as Armstrong Grade School, Potomac Grade School, and also Gifford Grade School. His love for education and children was always at the helm of his support of local schools. He has recently been bussing great grandchildren of former students, including his own great granddaughter. Mr. Stagen now spends most of his time watching his great grandchildren’s sports (Hockey, Swim, Gymnastics, baseball, and track), traveling to Dirt Late Model races, going to tractor shows (to show off his tractor he built from scratch), and taking care of the Partlow Cemetery since 2000 (24 years). Stagen and his late wife raised 3 boys, 4 foster children, and one grandchild in Armstrong where he still resides today.
The next time you see a man in an orange hat it just might be Mr. Armstrong himself, Don Stagen.
Thank you, Kendra, for your wonderful nomination and for sharing your grandfather’s story with us! Thank you, Don Stagen, for welcoming me into your home for our interview and sharing your many stories and experiences. Thank you for being an unwavering pillar in the community. Your commitment and dedication has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated! Some say heroes wear capes, I think this one wears an orange hat!
If you have someone you would like to share,
visit https://forms.gle/deCPiQ1cxn1pDLhZ9
or contact Ashton Greer, City of Danville agreer@cityofdanville.org or
Nicole Van Hyfte, Vermilion Advantage nvanhyfte@vermilionadvantage.com.
