When Carol McDonald first began working at Dominion when it opened in 2003, she taught physical education.  Now, six years later, she has become a beloved assistant principal to hundreds of Titans.  However, her reign at Dominion has come to an end.  McDonald retired on Friday, January 29 after 12 years of working in Loudoun County.

        The news was broken by Dr. Brewer at a faculty meeting on Tuesday, December 8, and was received with what McDonald referred to as "collective sighs" from the faculty, whom had become very close to McDonald throughout her years at Dominion.

        McDonald is moving to Culpeper and plans to get married.  However, McDonald had bittersweet emotions about her impending retirement.  "I am sure that when I leave here on January 29, I will be crying," she said prior to leaving.

        These tears, however, would be in honor of her experience at Dominion.  "Working at Dominion is one of the best experiences one could ever have," said McDonald.  McDonald felt very connected to her students and fellow colleagues, saying that she got to "work with the best high school staff in the whole county."

        McDonald also enjoyed getting to see her students grow during her years at Dominion.  "I get to see the transformation of young teenagers into college students, and that is such a gift to me," she said.  "As assistant principal, I get to know everybody.  I am very fortunate."

        Students are also having a hard time seeing McDonald go.  McDonald said that her students want nothing but the best for her, but she knows that they are sad to see her leave.

        One of McDonald's colleagues and close friends is assistant principal Jamie Braxton, who also views McDonald's retirement with mixed emotions.  Braxton is happy that McDonald is happy, but she also said that "you don't want to see one of your colleagues go."

        Brewer sees her retirement as a great loss.  "[McDonald] developed a really strong bond [with her students] and poured life into their success," said Brewer, who found McDonald as not only a great colleague, but also as a great friend.

        In her retirement, McDonald hopes to get a lot of reading in, as well as traveling, exercising, volunteering, and tutoring, which she did when her kids were young.  She would also like to teach young people how to play tennis, a task she previously took on as the coach of Dominion's boys' tennis team.

        In filling McDonald's position, both Braxton and Brewer are confident that it will be impossible to replace her; "That's going to be a tall order," said Brewer.  Brewer hopes to find somebody who cares about the students as much as she did, and Braxton hopes to find somebody that will continue her legacy of excellence.

        "Whoever is walking in has some big shoes to fill," said Braxton.

        As she leaves Dominion, Brewer and Braxton offered some parting words for McDonald.

        "Enjoy life.  I'm happy for you," said Braxton.

        "Thank you, Mrs. McDonald, you are Truly Titan," said Brewer, who hopes that McDonald stays in touch with the Titans.

        McDonald also had some parting words of her own to say to the school and community.

        "Dominion High School is one of the finest high schools in the nation.  It may not be so apparent to everyone right now, but in the years to come people will realize just how special it is to be a Titan," McDonald said.