WHS Principal Probasco leaves long legacy of compassion, support

WASILLA — On April 4, 1993, Dwight Probasco and his wife, Brenda, welcomed their third child, Izaak, into the world. Just a few days later, Probasco was named principal at Wasilla High School.

Izaak was among the school’s graduating seniors May 19 when his father addressed Wasilla High’s class of 2011. And a few days later, Probasco ended his tenure as principal at Wasilla High.

After 18 years as principal and nearly 30 as a Wasilla educator and administrator, Probasco is retiring. As a young teacher and coach, Probasco didn’t think this day would come. Now, he said he can’t believe it is here.

“I didn’t think the day would come that it would be all over,” Probasco said earlier this week. “You start somewhere at 24 and before you know it, you’re 53 and moving on.”

But in his younger years, Probasco didn’t have to think about life beyond Wasilla High.

“I fell in love with this place,” Probasco said. “I always enjoyed coming here and working. I always thought this was the best job a person could have.”

He did consider leaving Wasilla once, interviewing for a principal position in Wrangell. But he didn’t get the job.

“I think by not getting it, karma said you’re going to be at Wasilla,” Probasco said.

That worked out for everybody.

During his time as principal, Probasco saw each of his three children — Ryan, Kristen and Izaak — spend four years at Wasilla High. He built a reputation as a staunch supporter of not only athletics, but all co-curricular activities, and was known as an advocate for all types of students.

“His compassion and empathy for the students is really what sets him apart,” said Wasilla assistant principal Dan Michael, a longtime friend and colleague of Probasco. “He really enjoys all students, likes working with all kinds of students.”

A former hockey and football coach, Probasco has long been at the forefront of the support of athletics and activities.

“I really value the role of co-curricular activities in a school,” Probasco said.

And he’s been a staple at Wasilla events for decades.

“There’s nothing like a Friday night football game against Palmer or Colony. There’s nothing like being in any gym in the Valley against Palmer or Colony,” Probasco said.

The administration’s attendance at Warrior athletic events has been important to Probasco. At home or on the road, a WHS administrator is typically present. In this school year alone, Probasco made five trips to the Kenai Peninsula, two to Fairbanks and one to Juneau. There are also countless drives into Anchorage.

“I think that’s a critical role of an administrator. The four of us — Dan, (activities director Paul Cossette), (assistant principal Mark Okeson) and I — place a high value on that,” Probasco said. “We don’t go because we have to. We go because we want to.”

Probasco has always been proud of his Valley roots. Probasco and his wife are both graduates of Palmer High School (Dwight in 1976 and Brenda in 1978). He left Alaska to attend the University of Minnesota, but it didn’t take the two long to return.

By 1992, Probasco was back in the Valley working at Wasilla Middle School. A year later, he moved to Wasilla High, where he’s been ever since. Of his 28 years at the school, he’s spent 22 as an administrator. Probasco worked his way up through the school’s ranks, spending time as the activities director and assistant principal before his promotion to principal. Regardless of his position, Probasco approached every day as if it was his first day teaching.

“I’d tell myself, ‘give that day as much energy as that very first day of teaching.’ Every kid deserves that,” Probasco said.

Again, proud of his Valley roots, Probasco said he has always tried to pay his opportunity forward. Of the 100 or so people on his Wasilla staff during the 2010-11 school year, 24 were graduates of Valley high schools.

Probasco said he’s not exactly sure what he’ll do with his newfound free time. He said he’d like to take a few moose or caribou hunts, but other than that, he’s not exactly sure. Though he’s not dwelling on it too much.

“Somebody told me — a guy who retired last year after 33 years of teaching — you can’t plan. You can’t think about it,” Probasco said. “You really don’t know anything about it before you step into it.”

Probasco said he knows he’ll miss the activities, his staff and colleagues, and most importantly, the students.

“I’ll miss the kids, miss the energy and the pulse of the school,” he said. “Working in a high school, you’re surrounded by youth.”

On Monday, Probasco sat in his office surrounded by a collection of nearly three decades worth of things, nearly 30 years of memories.

“Years and years and years of stuff. I think I may need to have a yard sale,” Probasco joked.

No one memory, single moment, event or student sticks out the most, he said. He was proud to watch his three children walk across the stage and become Wasilla High graduates during his years as Wasilla principal. He has fond memories of all the merit scholars and all the state champions who have walked the halls of Wasilla High. He remembers the students he’s lost to accidental early death.

And he appreciates everyone who has shared his time at Wasilla High.

“I’ve been real blessed to have been supported by a community and a staff,” Probasco said. “I’ve always believed what my mentor told me, ‘take care of your staff and they’ll take care of you.’”

Although he said he’ll miss it all, Probasco said he knows the time is right.

“Brenda, my wife, and I talked about it. I thought about it. I kind of wanted to leave the game when I’m not fumbling the ball, not throwing an interception.”

Contact Jeremiah Bartz at 352-2273 or at sports@frontiersman.com.