When Harry Reese began his teaching career, he never expected to become the principal of an elementary school. But somehow during his 27 years at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School it happened.

Now, Reese is retiring. He celebrated his last day May 29, and 'celebrated' is the appropriate verb.

"It's really nice to feel wanted and loved, and for 27 years, you guys have made us feel this way," Reese said, standing next to his wife, sixth grade teacher Jamie Reese, in front of the congregation and students in the chapel of Our Lady.

Prior to the speech given by Reese, both he and his wife, who is also retiring at the end of this year, were presented with a check from the parish and gifts from the students.

The students also serenaded Reese with the Disney song "You'll be in My Heart" from the movie "Tarzan." Although the chorus remained true to the original song, the texts of the verses were altered to commemorate the time Reese had dedicated to the school.

In the speech that followed, Reese thanked school volunteers, parents, Monsignor Edward Sacks and his wife. He displayed the personality the students will surely miss when he gave thanks for the message given at the beginning of the Mass about the bread of friendship as well.

"I've never thought of myself as bread. I've never thought of myself as a sandwich maker, but now maybe you've put me on a new career path. So if you come into Subway someday and see me there..." Reese joked.

This portion of the speech was greeted with laughter and the thanks Reese gave at the end were received with applause from each member of the audience.

After concluding the ceremonial aspect of the morning, Reese spent his last day on the job visiting each classroom as part of the "Disney Extravaganza" the school prepared for him.

In the fifth grade classroom, students sang a version of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from "Mary Poppins" with the text changed in the same way as the song performed in the chapel. The classroom presented him with an umbrella each student had signed, as well as his favorite movie, "Saving Mr. Banks."

Other classrooms similarly prepared a Disney-themed atmosphere for Reese to enjoy as he bid farewell.

Reese said his favorite part of being an educator was getting to know the students and being able to walk down the halls and talk to them.

"In my mind, if there is such a thing [as a career highlight], it's the character of the students we've been able to mold, seeing them go to high school and college and seeing the men and women they've become," Reese said.

Although leaving the school he had been part of for 27 years will be difficult, Reese said in his "mind and heart" he always thought he would retire at this point in his career.