When Kyle Rohrer walked into the Powell Middle School gym Wednesday afternoon, he didn’t expect to see hundreds of students cheering for him.

“Our own Mr. Rohrer was selected as the Assistant Principal of the Year,” announced Jason Sleep, Powell Middle School principal, as students applauded and chanted “Mr. Rohrer! Mr. Rohrer!”

The Wyoming Association of Secondary School Principals recently chose Rohrer for the honor.

“I’m speechless,” Rohrer said. “And those of you guys who know me know that doesn’t happen very often ... this is an amazing award.”

Rohrer thanked everyone for being there and said it’s an honor to work in a great school district, with great staff and students. Rohrer told students the middle school staff tries to ensure they have the best education possible, that they enjoy coming to school and know it’s a safe place to learn.

“I love coming to work every day,” Rohrer said.

As the assistant principal, Rohrer comes to work each day with a positive “can do” attitude, which rubs off on staff and students, Sleep said.

He added that Rohrer displays leadership, works collaboratively with teachers and staff and has a positive impact on education.

“One of Kyle’s strongest attributes is his ability to build relationships with kids and adults,” Sleep said Wednesday. “He knows every student’s name in our school, and he is able to positively connect with kids in a way I have not seen before.”

Sleep said Rohrer “sincerely takes time to express concern for and work with others in being the best leader possible for students in our district.”

Rohrer started at Powell Middle School in 2011. The year before that, he worked as a fourth-grade teacher at Southside Elementary School. Rohrer previously worked as an assistant principal and principal in Arizona.

“He is a young school administrator that is full of potential. I see him grow by the day,” said Kevin Mitchell, superintendent of Park County School District No. 1. “He’s doing a great job.”

To keep the assembly a secret, Mitchell told Rohrer that he needed help with a project on Wednesday, and then later said they needed to go to the gym. Rohrer had no idea what was going on as he walked into the gym, where the cheering crowd gave him a standing ovation.

Along with middle school staff, students and school district administrators, Rohrer’s family attended the assembly Wednesday, including his wife, Jennifer, and son, Weston. Other family members from Powell and Worland also were in on the surprise, including his parents Kelli and Jay Moore and Bill Rohrer; grandparents Peggy and Jay Mangus; and brother and sister-in-law Curtis and Becky Rohrer.

Cory Dziowgo, principal/athletic director for Meeteetse Schools, nominated Rohrer for the award.

“No one deserves it more than him,” said Jennifer Rohrer. “He works hard at everything.”