After a long fight against cancer, Mr. Jack Hankee, assistant principal of Southern Lehigh Middle School, passed away on October 18, 2024. Despite his health complications, he was an active and valued member of the school’s staff and the Southern Lehigh community. He will be missed by staff members and students, at the middle school and the high school, and by many who have already graduated.
Mr. Hankee is survived by his wife, Lisa Hankee, with whom he would have celebrated his 30th anniversary in December. He also leaves behind his daughters Alesandra and Mackenzie Hankee, and their dog Emmy.
Middle school Reading and Data Specialist Mrs. Victoria Butz worked closely with Mr. Hankee at the middle school and recalls only fond memories.
“Mr. Hankee was an administrator who never treated you like he was an administrator,” Mrs. Butz said. “He worked beside you to help in any way he could. He was never too busy to lend an ear or a hand if you needed it. He was such a champion for the students.”
Through his connections with kids, Mr. Hankee went above and beyond what was asked of him, encouraging students to become the best versions of themselves. His welcoming nature helped new students find their place at Southern Lehigh. Sophomore Noah Schafer remembers Mr. Hankee for the kindness he showed him when he first transferred into the district.
“When I first arrived, I faced challenges that seemed insurmountable,” Schafer said. “If it hadn’t been for his motivational speeches urging me to keep my head up, I probably wouldn’t have stayed.”
In addition to making students feel comfortable, Mr. Hankee taught students how to act with integrity in the face of discrimination.
“I was called to his office after I defended my family in response to a racist remark. Although I didn’t handle it perfectly, he understood my intentions,” Schafer said. “He helped me realize that I needed to approach my issues by recognizing that I could be the bigger person and that I am destined for great things.”
Other new students share the same sentiment as Schafer, valuing Mr. Hankee for his friendly demeanor when they were surrounded by doubt and hardship. Senior Sungwon Yu felt lost after moving to the United States from South Korea. Throughout it all, Mr. Hankee remained a source of hope.
“I could find happiness and innocence in his smile,” Yu said. “Indeed, he was one of the ‘teachers’ of my life who kept directing me in the right direction and caught me from the edge of the cliff.”
Outside of the school environment, Mr. Hankee coached cross country and soccer for over 10 years. He also really enjoyed watching football, especially his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers.
“We are so heartbroken and will miss him bopping around the halls talking trash on every other team other than his Steelers,” said Mrs. Butz.
In remembrance of Mr. Hankee, the staff and students of Southern Lehigh School District united to wear black and gold, or Steelers gear, on the Monday after he passed away. Sungwon was happy to be one of the participants in the spirit day.
“The last respect we could have for him was this spirit day,” Yu said. “I will live life with honesty so I can proudly say ‘thank you’ to him once again when I see him in the sky.”