Wikel 'blessed' to have found his passion

SANDUSKY — Leading Sandusky Central Catholic School wasn't something Ryan Wikel expected to do years ago. "I've really enjoyed the classroom," Wikel said. "My time at Sandusky High School teaching English was some of my favorite times." Dan Poggiali, Sandusky High School's principal at the time, was "a tremendous mentor" to Wikel. "He allowed me to turn into a lead teacher in our wing, giving me opportunities that allowed me to stay in the classroom, but still take a leadership role," Wikel said. "All of those things help you when you get to a position like this." Wikel, a 1999 St. Mary Central Catholic graduate and Sandusky Central Catholic School's new president, appeared on "Between the Lines" on Friday. The interview is available for on-demand viewing at sanduskyregister.com and the Register's YouTube channel. Wikel was promoted to his new job last month after serving as the middle/high school principal for several years. He takes over for Geoff Palmer, a 1980 SMCC graduate who retired in June after leading Sandusky Central Catholic for five years. As a high school senior, Wikel fell in love with education after shadowing his basketball coach at Adams Jr. High for two weeks, teaching a few lessons to "get his feet wet." "I realized that's something I wanted to do for the rest of my life," he said. "Finding something that impacts others was a high priority for me. "It's been easy and a smooth path by no means. Education's a tough business and there's been ups and downs. For me, I'm blessed to have found my passion and sticking with it." Today, the school is "right on track" with the strategic plan Palmer put in place, but improvements are always sought when achieving the school's goals related to faith and education. You don't have to be Catholic to attend Sandusky Central Catholic School, but potential students should seek to have a strong faith and to challenge themselves academically. "What we hope is that we're the best option for that student that's in our school and that their safety, education and faith life is priority one for us," Wikel said.