Dayton principal takes pie to the face for Pi Day

Dayton High School senior Aundria Pluck was a bit incredulous when she was called to the principal's office Monday.

"I get to miss class to throw a pie at Mr. Workman?" she asked.

The 18-year-old pep rally commissioner joined other members of student leadership as well as the academic team in celebrating Pi Day by smashing pie in Principal Wayne Workman's face.

Pi Day is celebrated worldwide on March 14 (3/14) in honor of the mathematical constant, Pi - or 3.14 - which is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter.

Special-education teacher Curtis Bent made the connection between Pi and pie and organized the event as a way to recognize student achievement as well as Workman's accomplishments over the past two years as principal.

"It's very hard at a high school to set up a relationship culture, but he's been able to do that here and it's enriched the environment," Bent said. "Whether it's gifted students or handicapped, he's in touch with all disciplines here, and he supports us all."

Molly Matheny, 17, agreed.

"He's a nice guy," she said. "He's friendly, and he talks to us like real people."

Bent said that in the time Workman has served as principal, incidences of graffiti and other discipline problems have decreased, while the number of students going on to higher education has increased.

Workman gave credit to those around him.

"I just really wanted to celebrate all the accomplishments of our students and staff," he said. "They've done a great job of pulling together an amazing culture here at the high school."

So much so, he said, it was worth about a dozen pies to the face.

"The reason we're all in this business is for the kids," he said. "They're what matters most. Plus, we like to have fun."

It was more than just fun for 17-year-old Ethan Fredsti, the top scorer for the academic team who got to throw a pie.

"My life is almost complete," he said.