Thursday, March 19th, 2020
Community mourns popular principal Esselstein
By William Kincaid
CELINA - A beloved school administrator and source of inspiration for many in the community and beyond died on Wednesday, prompting an outpouring of heartfelt remembrances and tributes on social media.
Celina Middle School Principal Ann Esselstein, who bravely mounted a three-year battle with cancer, died at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Celina City Schools Superintendent Ken Schmiesing confirmed to the newspaper.
"There's no question that she has been an inspiration at Celina City Schools to staff and students the past 23 years," Schmiesing said.
Esselstein was known for her saying, "Do what's expected, and then do some more," which caught on and became a mantra for scores of people whom came into contact with her, Schmiesing said.
Board of education president Bill Sell also expressed remorse about Esselstein's passing, calling her a passionate, positive person.
"She was a tremendous leader in our school district and will be truly and sadly missed," Sell said.
School board members had appointed Celina Middle School Dean of Students Andy Mikesell as interim assistant principal to help alleviate some of Esselstein's duties while she continued her cancer treatments.
Schmiesing also pointed out that Esselstein played a big part in the Celina Middle School's Mini Relay for Life, which raised $250,000 over the years for cancer research.
It was an awesome sight to see Esselstein inspire students, staff and the community in the mini relay, Mercer County Relay for Life Co-Organizer Jeff Heiby told the newspaper. He also recalled the love the students had for Esselstein.
In June 2018, Esselstein was the keynote speaker at the annual Mercer County Relay for Life at Lakeshore Park.
Cancer survivors from throughout Mercer County that evening convened for a survivor meal before the relay began with a cast of survivors and their allies - many wearing purple T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Hope" and "Defeet Cancer" - marching down a sidewalk, passing a torch to succeeding survivors before it ultimately landed in Esselstein's hands.
"Our quest is never-ending, but our goal is to find a cure," she had said that night. "We ask our students every year, 'why do we walk?' "
"To find a cure!" the crowd had roared back.
