My favorite memory of Principal Cy Olsen is when I first started at YCHS about five years ago, and I wanted to buy a yearbook that year but was struggling with personal funds to do so.

I naively inquired of Cy first to ask whether any discounts or cost waiver were available to faculty for yearbook purchases or if we had to pay the same price as everyone else. 

Being the kind and giving person that Cy was, he responded that he would be happy to give me his book so I would not have to buy one.

I was overwhelmed with his generous offer but declined as I knew how much a school yearbook would mean to him. 

I went on to bite the financial bullet and buy my own yearbook and was left with the fond memory since of Cy's generosity and collaborative team spirit.

Cy was such a genuine, down to earth, approachable, fun loving, dedicated and even keeled team leader to work with; he will be sorely missed but certainly not forgotten! 

Miss you a lot dude, but your many positive influences and experiences made with countless others will never be forgotten.

My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Cy, my fondest thoughts and prayers are with you.

First and foremost, my deepest condolences to the family. If you need anything, I am here for you. I thought I would share a reflection on my friendship with Cy. I moved to Sacramento in 2004, and it wasn’t long before Cy became one of my closest friends. We connected over music and Second Saturday shows at Cuffs. Given his background in education, I convinced him to take a job at a school technology company I worked at, and we started to grow closer.

Our friend group began to grow, with Eli working at the same company. He was dating Sarah, and Sarah was friends with Lacadia, and before you knew it, we had found a great group of friends whose circle grew as we met more and more like-minded people around Midtown. And while the circle grew, at the center was a core that became really close -- one I consider among my best friends in my adult life.

In many ways, Cy was the glue. The guy loved hanging out -- brunch, cards, music, hikes. He was always encouraging us to go on adventures, and this included mostly annual overnight camping trips with long hikes, epic views, and hours of laughter, storytelling, misadventures, and experiences that will be forever cherished, reflected upon, and never forgotten.

I’m so grateful for Cy’s friendship, and even as time goes by and our lives get busy, I knew I could always count on him for some good old-fashioned hanging out -- a sometimes few-and-far-between thing in adulthood, but always fulfilling and a good reminder of how important friendship is when we inevitably say, “hey, we should do that more often.”

Thank you for always reminding me, Cy. I love you, buddy—and always will.

     When Cy started as Principal at YCHS, he had a little meet and greet with some of the leadership on our staff.  As I sat listening to him talk about growing up in Minneapolis, saw the Minnesota Twins cap, the reddish hair, the last name, I simply walked up to him afterwards and asked, "Are you a good Norwegian boy?"  He looked a little shocked, smiled, and said yes!  I asked if he ate lefse and krumkake and he replied, "Not in years."  I said, "You will now!"  He was thrilled when I brought some in and started asking questions about how to make it.  I emailed him links to the equipment he would need to buy and he was surprised, but ordered it all.  We made arrangements for my husband Brent and I to come over and teach him and his family how to make it.  I gave him recipes and he prepared the dough.  We spent several hours there.  He loved learning and helping his niece and nephew learn as well.  And they loved eating it!!  There wasn't much left over for them to take home to their dad!  It was a lovely day of laughter and feelings of accomplishment.  Brent and I certainly liked getting to know his family, too.  I know at least one other time the family was going to their cabin and he was taking the equipment so they could all make the lefse and krumkake while spending time together.  I love that he turned this into a family thing, just like my mom and sister and I have.

     As a Principal, Cy was one of the most supportive of students, staff, the arts, sports, and more.  He attended many activities and games with a big smile on his face.  Even when our District Office said no to things, Cy found ways to work around it or schmooze someone "higher up" to make things work for us.  He kept at things.  He stood up for us. That's often rare in administration these days.  But most of all, Cy was positive.  So positive.  So happy to be here.  So wanting everyone to feel as positive.  It was catchy.  Our campus atmosphere reflected it.  And we miss it.  We miss him.