Tecumseh High School Principal, Mr. Ivan Gehret, has been honored with the prestigious Virginia Kettering Award for his avid support of Tecumseh students and teachers who have participated in the nationally-celebrated Muse Machine secondary school arts education organization.

The award recognizes the school superintendent or principal whose vision and support have encouraged teachers and students to grow with and through The Muse Machine program.

The Muse Machine serves over 70,000 students each year throughout western Ohio. Tecumseh’s Muse Machine advisors and English teachers, Lisa Moon and Julie Davis, as well as Muse Machine members nominated Mr. Gehret for the award because of the “unending dedication” Mr. Gehret gives to the program and the students who participate in it.

“(Mr. Gehret) recently helped us with a fundraiser for The Muse Machine. He has also let Muse performers participate in some of the experiences Muse Machine does to prepare for musicals, such as a special dance and singing activity at places like The Greene for instance...He’s always let students go and attend those types of things because he feels it is important for students to participate in them.”

Muse Machine member, Austin Diehl, says Mr. Gehret is generous and supportive of The Muse Machine’s members.

“He’s been really great,” says Diehl, “Mr. Gehret asks us how things are going, he goes to the productions, and will sometimes allow us to have to get out of class if it is absolutely necessary for us to participate in something.”

Mr. Gehret says the he is “humbled and honored,” to receive the award, “I was very surprised when I found out. To be honored like that is very special.”

In a time when lack of monies puts arts programs in constant danger of being cut from Ohio schools’ programming, Mr. Gehret says it is imperative schools find a way to keep the arts because of the vital role they play in a student’s education and their sense of belonging.

“We are a student-driven school, and we are incredibly fortunate to have wonderful (arts) programs here at Tecumseh. Sports are great...but having things available like art, band, choir, and Muse Machine help make sure every student can find the place they belong and can do something they enjoy...and that is very special for our students and for Tecumseh High School.”

Davis and Moon agree, “Being involved in (the arts) helps ensure our students get the education they deserve, and Mr. Gehret consistently shows how incredibly supportive he is of them.”

Mr. Gehret, as well as Davis and Moon, illustrate how Muse Machine has impacted students’ lives by citing the names of several alumni who have gone on to work professionally in theater and music.

“For being a small, rural school in the middle of Ohio, we have had a lot of students go on to have professional careers in theater, both on and off-stage. Students have also gone on to become professional musicians and work in production. Theater at Tecumseh has a deep heritage, and I am very proud of that,” explains Mr. Gehret.

As a recipient of The Muse Machine’s Virginia Kettering Award, Mr. Gehret has been invited to attend a special reception before The Muse Machine’s performance of “Hairspray” which will take place at the Victoria Theater in downtown Dayton from Jan. 12-15. Several Tecumseh students are participating in the production. Mr. Gehret will also receive tickets to watch the performance from the orchestra section of the Victoria Theater.

“I’m very much looking forward to the show, especially since our students will be featured in it. It will be a great night!” exclaims Mr. Gehret.