Several deserving people were nominated for the 2021 Sandhills Someone Special this year. But the person receiving the most nominations was Mike Kvanvig, Mullen High School’s Principal.
All of his nominations mentioned not only the extra duties that he does for the school system, but also how involved he is in the community.
“Not only is Mike our 6-12 principal, he also volunteers to run checkpoints on all of the EMS ambulances, cuts/ maintains several yards in town at a discounted rate (some free), emcees several community functions, helps the Mullen Golf Club with irrigation, participates in Team-Mates as a mentor along with being a board member and does so many more things for our little village of Mullen,” Mullen Public Schools Superintendent Chris Kuncl said.
“Mullen Public Schools have weathered many difficult situations over the years,” MHS Science teacher Sarah Hardin said. “Through all of these challenging times, Mr. Kvanvig has gone above and beyond his job description to help guide staff and students. He has added many responsibilities in those times while continuing to keep a positive attitude. When he knows something needs to be done he does it without the need for acknowledgement. He provides support and leadership to the staff with encouraging words and guidance.
Mr. Kvanvig also emphasizes the importance of fun and laughter! He thoroughly enjoys being around the students and always has their best interest in mind... even when they may disagree.
Mr. Kvanvig is also a reliable friend and neighbor to those in the Mullen community. He is always willing to help with a difficult household project or loan out tools and supplies. He volunteers his time to many different organizations, both in the school and community, and often sacrifices his weekends for those groups. Mr. Kvanvig is an important constant at the high school, a caring friend, and dedicated volunteer.”
“His selflessness, generosity, and eagerness to serve our students, staff, and community are unparalleled,” said MHS Business teacher Mellisa Donohoe. “He is constantly pulled in a million directions but still always answers a need with sincerity and kindness.
You’ll find him in his ‘off from school’ time helping community members with lawns, sprinklers, fix-it jobs, technology, moving furniture, event setup/takedown, at the church, or anything else that arises; all with a smile.
Further, the streaming of events that we’ve grown accustomed to here in Mullen would not be possible without his commitment to making it happen and willingness to help whenever needed. This award won’t do justice to all he does but hopefully, it will help him to know how much his efforts are appreciated.”
“Many don’t know what Mike does behind the scenes on a daily basis,” MHS Language Arts teacher Megan Andersen said. “He isn’t one to boast about what he has done or complain about everything he is expected to do. He sometimes spreads himself thin because of everything he does help with. For example, he refs junior high football games, makes sure Striv is working for all home events, is called upon to be the emcee at many community events, and still manages to listen to his high school staff.
It is not uncommon to hear giggles in the hallways after school, and usually these giggles are elementary students being chased by Mr. Kvanvig or playing hide-and-seek with him while they wait on their older siblings or parents.”
“Mr. Kvanvig is selfless; he regularly sacrifices his own time to help anyone in need,” MHS English teacher Russ Monette said. “It’s happened more than a few times that my family and I have left Mullen for a week or more, and when we return, our grass has been mowed or our driveway has been shoveled. Mullen is a better place with him and his family here.”
Several MHS students also chimed in their thoughts when they heard that Mr. Kvanvig had been selected for the Sandhills Someone Special.
“Mr. Kvanvig helps me with my shop projects,” MHS sophomore Owen Thorberg said. “He knows everything about welding and wood working. He and I have a competition of who gets the biggest deer each year. It’s usually a tie. You don’t want to have to go to his office or to make him mad. I can’t believe he has had to deal with all of us for 11 years! He’s a good principal, and we are lucky to have him.”
“I feel that Mr. Kvanvig deservers this award because he has shaped this school in a way that not a lot of princi pals have,” said sophomore James Kessler. “He has boosted the wrestling program. He makes sure people are passing in every grade, if someone isn’t passing he personally comes to talk to that student.”
“He has a very big role in this small town,” said MHS eighth grader Morgan Hassett. “Mike has helped the Hassetts out since day one when they became our neighbors. You can call Mike if you need a computer fixed, underground sprinklers put in, cars looked at, or just simply help doing small things.”
MHS freshman Jacob Wingebach said, “Mr. Kvanvig helps me to have the snack machine ready so my classmates can grab some snacks. He always watches everyone’s movement in the halls. He is always around. He is a nice principal.”
Mike Kvanvig graduated from Mullen High School in 1995. He then earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2000. He taught at Sumner-Eddyville-Miller for two years, Minden for one year and then back at SEM for seven more years. He taught art and coached football and wrestling.
In 2009 he graduated with a Master’s in Educational Administration from UNK and he and his wife (high school sweetheart Arla Ridenour, a 1994 MHS graduate) moved their family to Mullen in the spring of 2010. He began his first administration job at his alma mater at the beginning of the 2010-11 school year.
Kvanvig said when he began his job at Mullen, Mike Brown, Dan Brost and Mitch Pfeiffer were all still teaching. All men who had taught and coached him in high school.
“I respected all of them. They were all firm and successful in their positions. And now all of a sudden, I’m going to be their boss,” he said.
But he said that they made things very easy for him.
“Mr. Brost especially was a mentor to me and more than once told me when I was being stupid and what I needed to improve.”
He said the staff and students have always been “awesome” here in Mullen.
“There have been some kids who are ornery, but most of the time the staff takes care of the problems,” Kvanvig said. “It’s been a joy being here. I hear horror stories from other administrators and think, ‘Thank God I’m in Mullen.’”
He said his favorite part of his job is getting to interact with everyone all the time. When he made the switch to being an administrator, he really missed coaching especially.
“I enjoy knowing what the kids are doing and what they’re up to,” he said.
His least favorite part of his job is when they have to find new staff when people retire or move on to other schools.
“Sometimes it’s hard to have change and keep people happy,” he said.
As for his community volunteer work, Kvanvig said he’s always been involved - from high school, to college, to the other communities that he has lived and worked in.
“I’m open to helping with anything,” he said.
While he admits that yes, sometimes he does have a hard time saying no, he says that his wife Arla does too and half the time he gets roped into her volunteerism as well.
“I try to lead by example,” he said. “I’m not going to ask others to help if I’m not out there doing it.”
“Sometimes if you want it done, you do it yourself and rally some people to the cause. The more people you get to help, the faster the job gets done. You get drug into it and you become a lifer.”
In his limited spare time, Kvanvig said he enjoys bow fishing in the summertime, coyote hunting and playing video games with his kids at home. He also enjoys tinkering with lawn mowers and other small engines and has even taught a small engine section to the shop kids at the school.
“There for a while I’d pick up weed eaters at the dump just to see if I could get it running and then give it away to someone who could use it,” he said.
He and Arla have been married for 24 years. They have four children: Ty - 20, Tel - 17, Tate - 13 and Ava - 10.
The Sandhills Someone Special receives $50 to the Mullen business of their choice from the Tribune. Congratulations, Mike!