‘Character Counts.’ Community, students, parents remember Lower Merion High School principal<\/a><\/p>\nThe lasting impact of Lower Merion High School Principal Sean Hughes can be seen on notes left outside his window, messages posted on social media and a petition to rename a school after the man students affectionally called “Huuuuuuughes.”<\/p>\n
A Camden County judge sentenced 55-year-old Azuka Ossai, the driver, to five years of probation, 90 days of house arrest, and 30 days of community service.<\/p>\n
Ossai also was ordered to pay various fines and $5,000 in restitution to the principal’s family.<\/p>\n
In court, Ossai told the Hughes family he regrets his actions.<\/p>\n
“A profound apology. I am deeply sorry from the bottom of my heart,” Ossai said.<\/p>\n
Kristi Hughes, Sean Hughes’ widow, also spoke before the court.<\/p>\n
“The last horrific 19 months is just the beginning of a lifetime of sadness, anger, and devastation you created,” she said. “All of this anger and sadness could have been avoided. You carelessly took a life that far exceeds your worth.”<\/p>\n
Investigators say Ossai was speeding and ran a stop sign before colliding with Sean Hughes’ Ford SUV at an intersection.<\/p>\n
At the time, Sean Hughes was taking his 13-year-old son to soccer practice.<\/p>\n
Hughes was a husband, father of three, and beloved principal at Lower Merion High School for 14 years.<\/p>\n
Lower Merion mourns loss of beloved high school principal<\/p>\n
His death shocked the community.<\/p>\n
Following the fatal crash, tributes poured in for the principal who inspired so many, including the Superintendent of Wallingford Swarthmore School District Wagner Marseille.<\/p>\n
Marseille, who worked at Lower Merion High School alongside Hughes, also shared his impact during the sentencing hearing.<\/p>\n
“He knew every single student by name. He knew every staff member, he knew the bus drivers, he knew the cafeteria workers, and he knew the custodians,” said Marseille.<\/p>\n
“Dr. Sean Hughes, a husband, father, son, brother, friend, mentor, and leader, was not finished living on November 13, 2021. He had his father to bury that week, a school community to manage, hundreds of teachers to lead, and thousands of students to inspire,” said Kristi Hughes.<\/p>\n
Family and friends say they will carry on Sean Hughes’ legacy.<\/p>\n
A scholarship fund was created on his behalf called the Sean Hughes “Character Counts” Scholarship.<\/p>\n
It celebrates his motto, “Character counts”. Sean Hughes reminded the students of Lower Merion in every address that “character counts” and encouraged good choices.<\/p>\n
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