News : We just had to ask...VSHS Principal Matt Kingsbury

VSHS Principal Matt Kingsbury

Continuing an unintentional tradition, Vinton-Shellsburg High School Principal Matt Kingsbury arrived in Vinton at about the same time as the July 11 storm. He replaced Kirk Johnson, whose first day took place during the Flood of 2008.

Mr. Kingsbury came to Vinton from Columbus Junction. He and his wife Heather, a vice president and compliance officer at Farmers Savings Bank & Trust-Vinton, have three young children, Kaden, McKenna and Gracyn.

Mr. Kingsbury's answered our silly questions, and shared his views of what issues matter most to Vinton at this time.

Q. Is there anything that your family asks you not to cook, ever again?

A I am not allowed to cook waffles.

Q. Does it matter in your house which way the toilet paper roll goes?

A. Paper should roll from the top.

Q. Funniest memory as a parent:

A. Remember changing my son’s first diaper and not being prepared for him to squirt pee all over me.

Q. Best fast food sandwich ever?

A. Double Whopper from Burger King

Q. What was your first job?

A. Working at our town's local grocery store.

Q. If you were to get a traffic citation it would most likely be for….

A. Speeding

Q. One place in the world you really, really wish you could visit?

A. Cancun

Q. First pet you remember?

A. Ginger was our 1st and only dog while on the farm.

Q. Who was your favorite teacher, and why?

A. Mr. Pollock (HS English). Mr. Pollock established great relationships with his students and pushed every student to excel at their highest level. Mr. Pollock was very intense and demanding, but at the same time took time to explain and assist students.

Q. Tell us about a favorite Christmas present you have received:

A. Receiving tickets to watch the Hawkeyes play in the Capital One Bowl. It was a great family experience and a memory I will not forget.

Q. Strangest thing you did at work that was not part of your official job description?

A. Getting a bird that had flown into the school to fly back outside.

Q. What is your favorite big word?

A. Eccentric

Q. Tell us about one of your pet peeves?

A. People not returning things how they found them.

Q. What book or author you have not read, but should?

A. Dr. Richard Elmore

Q. What happens to the missing socks in the laundry?

A. Get thrown away

Q. Iowa or IowaState(or other)?

A. Only Iowa or UNI. There is no Iowa State in our household.

Q. Was there something your parents said to you, over and over, that you, would growing up, said to yourself, "I will never say that to my kids?"

A. “If you don’t eat your carrots, then you will not have good eyesight.”

Q. Worst TV show ever?

A. The Bachelor/Bachelorette

Q. Best TV show ever?

A. Dukes of Hazzard

Q. What is your dream car?

A. Full sized 4x4 Quad Cab Chevy Pick-Up Truck (Black)

Q. Who should run for President, but hasn't?

A. Tom Osborne

Q. Fill in the blank: In a perfect winter, it would snow…..

A. A week before Christmas and then melt away after that.

Q. Name your favorite:

Comic strip: Family Circus

Candy bar: Snickers

Ice cream: Black Cherry

Color: Red

Sports team: Dallas Cowboys & St. Louis Cardinals

Actor/actress: Clint Eastwood & Angelina Jolie

Song: Country

Planet: Earth

Our serious question:

Q. What are the most significant issues facing Vinton this year?

A. Continued storm recovery, and I would like to see more new housing and business development.