Each handwritten letter included a single dollar bill for graduating seniors.
MANSFIELD, Texas — Graduation ceremonies are often filled with proud families, smiling seniors and words of encouragement. But at Mansfield ISD’s Summit High School, the Class of 2025 received something extra — a personal message from their principal, written by hand.
Principal Jason Mutterer addressed his seniors during the school’s graduation ceremony, calling it “an absolute honor to serve this extraordinary class.”
Mutterer, who said he’s developed a close bond with many of the students through their involvement in athletics, theater, band and Advanced Placement classes, wanted to leave them with something meaningful.
“Watching them in athletics, watching them in theater, watching them in band, watching them in classrooms, AP classrooms — very, very close with many of them,” Mutterer told WFAA.
So, the night before graduation, Mutterer carefully tucked a handwritten card into each of the 443 diplomas.
“I took all of their diplomas and put all their cards in their diplomas,” he said.
Each card contained a personal message and a single dollar bill.
“Inside that card, there’s a single dollar bill,” Mutterer said during his speech. “It might seem insignificant, but together, the 443 dollars combined is a monthly car payment for some of us…443 random acts of kindness can start a ripple effect and a positive change.”
Senior Daniel Ezenagu was among the students moved by the gesture.
“I really, I took a deep breath. I didn’t cry — I don’t cry!” he chuckled. “But it was definitely emotional for me,” he said.
Ezenagu plans to keep the letter and dollar inside his diploma case.
“I’m gonna keep it right in my diploma along with that dollar he gave us,” he said.
Mutterer joked about his handwriting but said he hoped the message landed.
“I apologize to those who, you know, [think]— what kind of writing does this principal have?” he said, laughing. “But that’s the goal.”
As his speech wrapped up, Mutterer left his students with a final message.
“You always matter to us, and the Jaguar family,” he said. “We will always love you. I love you.”