On Friday Nov. 3, Falcon Field was renamed for late Principal Kraig Kelican during the last football game of the season. Principal Kelican dedicated 37 years to Fauquier’s school system as a teacher, assistant principal and, of course, principal.
His abrupt passing hurt students and teachers deeply as people remember all he has done for our community. Kelican made a point to attend all the Fauquier home football games, showing constant support to all of the players and coaches. The Fauquier football team, National Honor Society and many other groups across the student body brainstormed a way to appropriately memorialize Kelican’s legacy.
Originally, on the day of Kelican’s passing, the upper echelon of Fauquier county met at FHS to discuss the proper way to honor Kelican’s memory. The members of the school board proposed the idea of dedicating the Falcon Room to Kelican, but they decided against it. Instead, they chose the location where he often could be found on a Friday night during football season.
“In Mrs. Robson, Mr. Raines, and myself talking, I said it would be monumental to dedicate Falcon Field to Mr. Kelican,” said assistant principal Diana Story. Normally, the relabeling of high school facilities is no longer allowed, but, as a special recognition, it was agreed upon.
The ceremonial renaming occurred on the 50 yard line surrounded by Kelican’s immediate family and the administrators of Fauquier before the start of the final home game of the season. “We are going to get a metal banner that says ‘ We believe, Always believe, Once a Falcon Always a Falcon’,” said Story. Unexpectedly, during the ceremony, news broadcasters from Fauquier Times attended, along with DC News reporting the memorable night.
