I am so deeply saddened to hear of Mr. Olsen’s passing. He was such an incredible teacher, coach, and mentor to my sons, and someone we will never forget. He had a special gift for making kids feel seen, valued, and excited to come to school each day. His bright, genuine smile could light up any room, and his kindness left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

He truly made a difference in my sons’ lives, as well as in the lives of so many other students. We are forever grateful for the impact he had on our family. He will be greatly missed.

~ Micah Sanchez (DeLozier)

I had Mr. Olsen as my leadership teacher from freshman through senior year, and his class was always such a joy. He cared so deeply about his students and our entire school community, and you could feel that compassion in everything he did. From homecoming parades to dances and all the moments in between, he helped us create experiences that made school exciting and genuinely fun.

One of my fondest memories is Spirit Week planning. Every year, Mr. Olsen would enthusiastically campaign for a “Canadian tuxedo” day. I remember telling him I didn’t think anyone even owned a denim shirt, and he’d laugh and say, “We’ve got to push it.” Senior year, we finally did it—and it was amazing. Now, years later, I work at Levi’s corporate and wear a denim shirt almost every day. I think of him and smile, remembering how determined he was to make that spirit day happen.

I’ll always remember how cool he seemed to me, someone who had lived so fully and shared his stories about music, art, and the world beyond our small town. I’m so grateful he brought that perspective into our lives and helped us see bigger possibilities.

I’m incredibly thankful for the impact he had on me and so many of my friends. My heart is with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.