During the month of February, we are celebrating "We Love Our Alumni" and the dedicated individuals who once walked the halls as students and have now returned to contribute as passionate educators. Among those returning was Benjamin Cannon, a proud 2011 graduate of Creston High School, who is now serving as the Family and Community Engagement Coordinator at Franklin Campus.

Reflecting on his journey, Cannon shared that he was deeply influenced by the teachers, principals, and families who helped shape him. "I knew while I was in school here that this is where I wanted to spend the rest of my life," he said. "I love my community and am incredibly grateful for my role as Family and Community Engagement Coordinator."

Cannon’s connection to the community runs deep. He met his wife at Riverside Middle School, and the love they shared from that moment has only grown stronger. "I still vividly remember asking her out in the gym during indoor recess," he recalled fondly. This district has always been a special place for him, not only as a professional but also as a parent. "This is where I want to grow professionally and raise my children, who also attend the district and are excelling academically."

Although some of his closest mentors, like Mr. Blain, Mr. Gorman, and Ms. Cook, are no longer with the district, Benjamin fondly remembers their influence. "I didn’t have the chance to work with Leigh Ann McCready, but she was someone who truly believed in my wife and me. She followed up, followed through, and, most importantly, genuinely cared about my overall well-being. It wasn’t just about English in her classroom—it was about being loved too."