LHS Asst. Principal Goes Back to Bartending Roots for Rotary Fundraiser

As Asst. Principal Dave Clark served drinks at on Thursday night to benefit the Rotary Club of Lemont-Homer Glen, he experienced a touch of deja vu.

Prior to becoming an educator at age 33, Clark worked for nearly a decade in the hospitality industry. The Wisconsin native began working as a bartender right out of school, and ended up working at two of Milwaukee's biggest downtown establishments.

After receiving his degree in education in 1999, Clark got a job at a Wisconsin High School. In 2004, he accepted the position of assistant principal at Lemont High School.

On Thursday night, Clark went back to his roots to serve as a guest bartender at Front Street Cantina, 319 Front Street, in downtown Lemont. After just three hours, he raised $501 for the scholarship fund of the Lemont Homer-Glen Rotary Club.

Patch sat down with Clark to talk about his past work in hospitality, his present career in education and his future role as president of the Rotary Club.

Q: Prior to becoming an educator, you worked in bars and restaurants for several years. How did you get into that field?

A: When I got out of school, I really lacked direction. I moved to Milwaukee and started working at a bar. I just did a lot of bartending and started to work my way up. Eventually I worked for two of the biggest downtown establishments there. I loved it. It's a great industry with great people.

Q: What made you decide to do something else?

A: It was a family thing. I met my wife and knew it would be the best thing for our future. At that point, I started thinking about going to college.

Q: How old were you when you decided to go to school?

A: I was 29 years old.

Q: Was it intimidating to think about starting a four-year degree at that age?

A: It worried me because I would be 33 when I graduated. The best advice I ever got was when someone said to me, "You're going to turn 33 anyway, so you might as well be graduating from college." So I enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Q: What happened after you enrolled?

A: I graduated in 1999 at the age of 33 with a degree in education. I actually graduated summa cum laude. After that, I was teaching at a high school in Franklin, Wis. I ended up realizing that I wanted to be part of the big picture. So I started an administrative program and became an assistant principal after my fourth year there. I loved everything about it.

Q: When did you come to Lemont?

I was fortunate enough to be hired as the assistant principal for Lemont High School in 2004. So I'm now in my seventh year.

I absolutely love Lemont. It's a great community, and the kids here do remarkable things.

Q: When did you get involved with the Rotary Club?

I'm a charter member, so it's been a couple years. I'm also the president-elect. I'll officially start that position in July.

Lemont is a great community that has treated me well, so I wanted to do something to give back in a tangible way. I really love the Rotary Club and the work they do. It's a great organization.

Q: How did the bartending fundraiser come about?

A: We were looking for ways to raise money for our high school scholarship fund. I think some people knew my background, so it just kind of all came together. The opportunity presented itself, and it turned out great.

Q: Was it fun returning to your roots?

A: I had a good time, but more importantly we raised $501 in three hours. That's enough money to fund half a scholarship. That's what's important. I'm really appreciative of Front Street Cantina for giving us this opportunity.