For Leominster High School Sophomore Dean, Barry Hudson will yearn the times here as he retires his prominent career. At the end of this school year, and after serving 25 significant years, Hudson will withdraw from Leominster High.
Hudson graduated from Leominster High School in 1985, and that’s when his real journey began. After graduating, Hudson sought out to become a State Trooper, but “I couldn’t pass the colorblind test, so I became the next best thing.”
Hudson started as a teacher in Indiana and Boston where he taught music. In 2000 he landed at Leominster High School as the Band Director.
“I started at LHS in 2000 as a band teacher,” he said.
Hudson was the bandleader for about 20 years until becoming the 10th grade Dean during the pandemic.
Over the years Hudson has become highly respected at the school and explained “you have to be fair with the way you treat everybody always,” he shared.
Ed Ordway, who met Hudson on a train to New York almost 25 years ago, said “he’s my golf partner, and probably one of my best friends.”
For previously being a Dean, Ordway shared Hudson was always recognized his honesty and even-keel personality.
Principal Dr. Joshua Romano has only worked with Hudson for 3 years now, but reminisced on the times in the cafeteria when Hudson would sing Happy Birthday in his deep voice, and “his spectacular break dance performance at Homecoming,” Romano added ecstatically.
David Bachant, Assistant Principal, has worked with Hudson for 10 years now.
“When he started as band director there were only about 20 kids,” Bachant explained. “Sooner you knew it, there were about 80 kids.”
As Hudson reflected back on his career he noted a few important features about being the Dean.
“If I’m in a bad mood, I can’t take it out on a student,” and “I’m walking the walk,” Hudson proclaimed.
Retirement might not be the hardest for Hudson as he’s “looking forward to more time to play golf and other hobbies. I like hunting and fishing too.”
Hudson is an eminent figure here at Leominster High School and the legacy he leaves here will be remembered.
Many staff and students will miss the presence of him looking over us all.
