In Memoriam Thomas S. Wootton High School | 2100 Wootton Parkway | Rockville, MD
woottonnews.com Allie Lowy editor-in-chief
Dr. Michael Doran principal, father, fan, friend
Photo courtesy Kathy Lavinder
For 12 years, a Brit by upbringing -Irishman by birth -- led a school of Patriots marching under the banner of red, white and blue. Through tragedy and triumph, Dr. Michael Doran was the linchpin of Wootton, the thread that stitched together a diverse community -- competitive at its core -- seamlessly weaving together the social, academic, athletic and extracurricular realms to foster an environment of comfort and security and ease the pressure that permeates this community. On Aug. 19, Dr. Doran’s life was suddenly cut short, as he died due to an unknown heart problem in his Bethesda apartment, according to the Washington Post. Doran’s distinctive personality -- his zest for life, boundless charisma, sharp wit, robust passion and ineffable love for his community -- rendered him an authentic and one-of-a-kind educator who served as the mainstay of Wootton. His loss is felt deeply in all reaches of the community and beyond, and the lessons he taught and lives he touched will live on as part of his legacy. Doran was a benevolent ruler. He frequently said that “no significant learning can occur without a significant relationship.” Bearing in mind this mantra, Doran took it upon himself to forge personal bonds with his students, whom he treated as equals with paternal compassion and love. To meet someone with the wisdom of a sage but the ebullience of a child is a rarity. Indeed, the playful, light-hearted nature to which Doran clung until his last days while still maintaining the aura of aplomb and authority that demanded respect and obedience epitomize what made Doran so widely loved and revered. He cared deeply about his students and faculty and imbued the halls with a profound sense of vim and verve. He was famous for his ability to see the best in everyone, enkindling confidence and passion and galvanizing those around him to be the best possible version of themselves. As security team leader Eddie Tolliver remarked at Doran’s memorial service, Doran connected with Tolliver on a personal level at Pyle Middle School -- where Tolliver was a custodian -- and when he left for Wootton, Doran told Tolliver he was coming back
Volume 45 | Special Edition | September 4, 2015
February 28, 1951 - August 21, 2015 for him. Sure enough, years later, Doran interviewed Tolliver and hired him as a security guard. Beyond his genuine compassion for those around him, Doran’s brand of altruism manifested itself in friendly chats with student passersby, in spontaneous peptalks given to students feeling the weight of the pressure of the community, in succor provided to grieving students after the deaths of their peers. Doran lived with a Gatsby-esque “heightened sensitivity to the promises of life, an extraordinary gift for hope, and a romantic readiness” for any challenge that
might come his way. He greeted life with optimism and passion and radiated warmth and love -- of learning, life and all of us. He wore his Wootton identity as a badge of honor, priding himself on his students’ accomplishments and owning so much school gear that -- as his son Sam jokingly noted at his memorial service -- the means through which he acquired all of it was questionable. Doran believed it was incumbent upon himself to attend every school event he could, from cheering his students on at sports games to dancing with them at Homecomings and Proms, to even live-streaming the National League of
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Legends championship that the Wootton team competed in. When rejoicing in the glory of the school’s win of the League of Legends National title, former assistant principal Jeffrey Brown said to Doran: “Michael, you have no idea what a Level 80 warlock even is” to which Doran quickly responded, “I don’t, you’re right, but my kids do, and they’re the best at it.” Doran’s sharp wit manifested itself in almost every interaction he had with students, faculty, and family. At one Thursday Night Live (TNL) performance, Doran agreed to sing a Sonny & Cher song, despite his stage fright when singing in front of crowds. Before entering the stage, he told the two emcees: “If I am going out there, you two are coming with me, so that they can laugh at your faces, and not at my singing.” At the Class of 2015 graduation, after a year of the seniors losing to the juniors in competitions like Puttin’ on the Hitz (POTH) and the Homecoming hallway, Doran announced to the crowd: “the seniors finally beat the juniors at something -- they graduated first.” Earlier this year, when 2015 senior class president Max Strasser earned himself a parking ticket and asked Doran to write a note excusing it, Doran scrawled, in typical, sarcastic Doran fashion: “please excuse, it was his poor mum’s car, and he is a very busy student leader, wah wah wah.” Famous for his casual attire -- even at staff meetings -on Halloween 2013, Doran came to school clad head-to-toe in Churchill spirit wear, insisting that it was the “scariest costume [he] could think of.” An avid sports fan, Doran took it upon himself to attend almost every school sporting event. Soccer was his province. He played soccer competitively throughout his time in England and played recreationally in the U.S., where he started the first ever soccer league in Roanoke, Virginia. Doran’s athleticism served him outside of his soccer career and he remained incredibly fit (despite all the French fries he snatched from students’ lunches) for his whole life. In fact, in 1984, Doran ran the New York City marathon in three hours and seventeen minutes. He coached soccer for 12 years and was a self-proclaimed Manchester United fanboy, a fact that engendered many a playful dispute with fútbol aficionados in the school see OBITUARY, back page
Memorial service honors legacy of cherished principal Rachel Clair features editor
“Never Forget, Patriots Rule.” This, one of Dr. Michael Doran’s favorite sentiments, was honored on August 21, at his memorial in the stadium that drew over 3,000 supporters. In tribute to a widely beloved principal, as well as to show support for the school, attendees donned red, white and blue. In addition, the Patriot Ambassadors, who facilitated the event, handed out patriotic pins, signs reading “Do It For Doran” and a program naming and listing the speakers. To open the memorial, former students sang the song “Danny Boy.” After, the master of ceremony Edward Owsu, the principal of Shady Grove Middle School and former Wootton administrator, welcomed the mass of people who packed the stands and overflowed on to the turf. Instead of adding more to the solemn and mournful environment, Owsu went for a bittersweet approach. Setting the tone for the evening, Owsu spoke about how Doran was ever a presence in the halls here, as well as at all school-related activities. He then recounted Doran’s habit of stealing students’ food during lunch, a trait he deemed “genius because he never brought a lunch.” This lighthearted story captured Doran’s involvement in the school and sense
of humor, reinforcing what this gathering was all about: a celebration of Doran’s life. Following this introduction, the first set of speakers were those associated with the MCPS Board of Education. This group included the interim superintendent, Whitman principal, PTSA president and the Booster representative. All offered insight into the person Doran was and will be known for. “[Doran] was not a figurehead, but a true leader that set the tone of his school. I have never met a more dedicated, engaged, invested, passionate principal, educator, counselor and friend.” PTSA president Sebrena Pitts said at the memorial. Transitioning from one group of speakers to the next, current students Julia Fanzeres and Jacqueline Kempa, sang a touching rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings.” These showcased talents represented the interest Doran took into arts and all extracurricular activities. The second collection of speakers consisted of current students and teachers. Each class was represented and all speakers shared a personal story about Doran. “Doran was everyone’s number one fan and he did so in ways that were so personal,” varsity boys’ soccer coach Dough Schuessler said. Throughout the several student and teacher speeches Doran was likened to a superhero, described as “enlightening,” and promised to be remembered in “our
minds, hearts and most importantly our actions.” “We all had the good fortune to have such a positive relationship with him. He loved us and we continue to love him,” retired teacher Randy Alton said. Although the pain that ensued during these speeches seemed to deepen, senior Carly Haynes verbalized as well as reminded, “that it was better to have met and loved and lost than to never have met Dr. Doran.” After another musical tribute, “When Irish Eyes are Smiling,” performed by current band students, two former assistant principals, Jeff Brown and Kimberly Boldon spoke. Both having worked closely with Doran for many years, Brown and Boldon spoke about the invaluable lessons Doran taught them and how they hope to continue his teachings as they transition into principal positions, Brown at Roberto Clemente Middle School and Boldon here. “I learned so much from him, like about what it means to treat people like people first,” Brown said. The closing speaker Sam Doran, Doran’s son, reinforced all the sentiments previously expressed in the ceremony. With one last Standing ‘O’ for the principal, icon, leader, Patriot, Irishman and friend, the ceremony ended in a true Doran fashion, with his traditional Irish blessing: “May you have warm words on a cool evening, a full moon on a dark night, and a smooth road all the way to your door.”