Principal’s Personal Touch Leaves Lasting Impact on Graduating Seniors

At Mansfield Summit High School in Arlington, Texas, Principal Jason Mutterer gave his 2024 graduating class a heartfelt gift they’ll never forget: 443 handwritten notes—one for each senior. Inside every envelope was not just a personal message, but also a $1 bill, symbolizing a shared connection and individual recognition.

“They’re my kids, they’re my students. It’s personal,” Mutterer said in an interview with TODAY on June 12. While he spoke from New York’s Rockefeller Plaza, hundreds of students back in Texas gathered to support him—some waking early during their summer break just to be part of the moment. It was a moving display of mutual respect and appreciation.