On amuggy August 2013morning, the chatter merely subsided to a hum as a bearded Italian man stood before 400 or so juniors in the Palos Verdes High School (PVHS) gym. Filling the air with stories of the summer and somewhat not yet adjusted to face the infamously “worst year of high school”, the students were not sure whether to laugh or tremble as Mr. Rich Boccia’s mantra reverberated off the wooden room: “work smart, respect, and failure is not an option”. Chanting it with him then hurrying out the gym, this mysterious man would not be dismissed soon. In just a few weeks, the man on the bike became a friend and became a legend: feared, loved and respected.
But after two years with the Sea King family, Boccia will not be returning for a third.
According to a March 27 press release, he is not the only changed member of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District (PVPUSD). It said, “This realignment of positions, duties and responsibilities in the Human Resources and Educational Services offices is critical to the implementation of the vision and goals of the District.”
Even with this explanation, rumors materialized, since PVHS students viewed Boccia’s severed contract as outlandish. And the snowball could not be stopped- as word spread and stories were exchanged, everybody had a different saga, but nobody had facts.
Boccia said, “You’d laugh, but I feel like I’m kind of a quiet, shy guy- I don’t like all of that stuff [attention]. I like to walk out the backdoor, ‘I’ll be back in a minute…’ Then I walk off into the sunset.”
Students felt purposefully excluded, so they took to poster making, social media and thank you notes for outlets and hopefully also for answers. Ms. Roth’s classes even used the “PVHS is Lucky to Have” campaign sheets to fill her windows. Every declaration had Boccia’s name, and corroborated the claims, often using adjectives such as “supportive”, “caring” and “positive”, but this was not the only effort to support Boccia.
Fliers around campus had “Save Boccia”, “Losing Boccia is failure and failure is not an option” as well as “Don’t lose the one who cares about us the most” paired with his face, while social media sprouted polarizing accounts called “Boccia’s Voice”, “PVHS Burn Book” as well as “The Truth about PVHS.” However confusion abounded when high-ranking district members evaded students’ efforts.
Touched yet embarrassed, Boccia grimaced and said, “That whole movement with social media and signs? I am so uncomfortable. You know, like I said, I never want to be a distraction.”
The PVHS team’s fondness is a stark contrast from when he first arrived. Students remembered how they were “skeptical”, “intimidated” and “surprised” by his novel presence; however, as time progressed, he showed unwavering loyalty and care for his Sea King family. Sophomore Brian Tang said, “He just really cared for the school and was really dedicated: he gets up in the morning, he says hi to everyone he goes by, and he attends so many of the sporting events.”
Sea King junior Danielle Keshtkar remembered one Halloween when Boccia was the only teacher, faculty, or staff member at the school at 5:30 AM. This is one isolated incident in her mind, but his pre-sunrise arrival is a daily occurence, even though he lives about an hour away from the school.
This dedication reflects his life-guiding mantra. Boccia said, “I want to find some simple words that inspire people- to think about themselves and to reflect on their own belief system. [I want them to] find their strength in their personal character, in their courage. To find their passion in life and touch the future and look back over the years and say have I made a difference?”
And these efforts are not overlooked by those impacted the most- the students. Colin Nolls, a PVHS senior said, “He is easily approachable, and he is concerned about people. I really did not get to know him last year, but this year, something clicked,” Nolls then described a typical encounter with Boccia: “As I finish sixth period and walk to my car, he always gives me a little fist bump and will say ‘have a good day Mr. Nolls’ every single time. And I would say ‘Thank you Mr. Boccia.’ He was very friendly.”
Viewing his scope of influence, Boccia has turned around schools,created International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, helped with the Olympic committee, and worked with the Tournament of the Roses Parade- just to list a few resume highlights. This groundbreaking administrator, volunteer, and educator has a sundry of accomplishments yet just “wants to feel part of something much greater than [him]self”. So the befuddled school and community alike asked the question “Why?”. Why was the one working with us the most released? Why did it have to be Mr. Boccia? And most importantly, why is this happening?
Keshtkar said, “I am just really confused about the whole thing, because the entire school has been keeping this as a secret almost from the whole public.” She added, “There has not been any announcement, email or anything about this… everything has been enclosed, so it is kind of frustrating that we do not really know what is going on or the purpose of all this stuff.”
While this may be frustrating to the PVHS community, The PVPUSDpolicy is not to comment on personell decisions, since that would be a violation of privacy.
Dr. Park said, “Mr. Boccia is retiring- he has put in 30 plus years, and he is going to be doing some work that will help education.”
Even Boccia would not answer, because the modest man within him wanted to simply celebrate the time he and PVHS shared. And celebrated he will be.
Speaking with a group of staff who were shocked and hurt by this decision, one said, “He was the best thing that happened to classified people [security, secretaries, aides, clerks, groundskeepers, maintenance etcetera] like us.”
Another added how before Mr. Boccia, the group was always lumped and treated as the “unwanted stepchild of the school”. This staff member further said, “If you are not in the trenches, you do not know the war that is going on,” pointedly pausing and nodding, the member said, “Mr. Boccia was always in the trenches.”
However, all can agree that leadership alterations are not shocking at PVHS, having seen ten administrative positions change within the past five years. Dr. Park, Mr. Boccia, and Mrs. Ramirez are the first team to last more than one year.
These changes created a chaotic school atmosphere, and Boccia’s removal simpily continues this trend.
This was not the effect Boccia wanted. Reconciling the district’s ruling, he said, “I feel like I have made a very positive impact on this learning community; it is that heartfelt spirit that I have got for this community, and I feel like I have made a difference on this community,” raising his hands in the air, he continued and said, “I know I have touched a lot of lives, so I can hold hands with everyone, sing Kumbaya and say thank you for allowing me into your house.”
With the song’s white flag, he will turn 61 this June, so Boccia made the bittersweet decision of retirement. Not an easy conclusion to reach, he resorted to making strengths/challenges t-charts, consulting those he respects, and reflecting on the past and future. Through such extensive thought, Boccia decided to “go out while on top of his game”, while keeping in mind the relationships with his family, friends, and future. He will keep busy doing good works such as helping build houses in Mexico. He will also get to enjoy the beauty of Mammoth as often as he can. Musing his life and more specifically his time at PVHS with his arms outreached, he said, “It has been a great journey, but there is another chapter. I cannot wait to see what it is going to be.”