FARMINGTON – Principal Gary Oswald walked into the Mt. Blue Middle School gym to thundering applause as students, staff, community members and family stood to honor him as Maine Middle Level Principal of the Year.

Oswald, of Jay, wearing a black shirt with cream-colored palm trees and off-white Bermuda shorts and sandals, was expecting an assembly celebrating the end of students taking the Maine Educational Assessments.

But there he was in the midst of his own celebration.

Oswald, who has been at the school for 21 years, sat down next to his father, Jack, and the fun began.

Colleagues recognized Oswald for being “a great school leader, a mentor and a friend.” They also praised his understanding of kids and his enjoyment in working with them.

Middle school student Lauren St. Laurent described Oswald as “fun, nice and caring.”

Staff members performed a skit with teacher Greg Veayo portraying Oswald as the Wizard of Oz in a modern-day setting, laptop and all, and his request for items to be found: Tom Brady’s Super Bowl ring and Jimmy Buffett’s flip-flops.

Then surprise, surprise – and a strum of guitar strings – there in the audience, a couple of rows behind Oswald, was Buffett, portrayed by teacher John Schoen, and Brady, in Patriot’s colors, portrayed by Oswald’s son, Matt.

From there it was down to the gym floor for skit participants to dance and sing.

Staff members gave meaning to each letter in the word “principal,” including Oswald having a possibly perfect personality, being a righteous ruler and “leading our learners in a lifelong journey.”

Jay Middle School students in the Jump Rope Club traveled to the school to showcase their talents in honor of one of their members, Mikayla Oswald’s father.

A stamping of feet and a clapping of hands to Queen’s “We Willl Rock You,” a performance by the Mt. Blue Middle School cheerleaders, presentation of gifts from staff and students, and a slide show featuring moments in Oswald’s life – from childhood to his time with his own family – flashed on the projection screen.

“I had no idea,” Oswald said, and thanked everyone for the feat.

He pointed out that he didn’t get the award alone, he got it because of everyone at the school.

It’s really a district recognition, Oswald said.