On any given school day, Technology Specialist and Strath Haven 2012 graduate Jonathan Hardy “parkours through the halls of Strath Haven High School” to fix troubling technological problems for students and staff.
He has always enjoyed technology, and he had a passion for tech crew in high school. Today, he runs the tech crew and supports students with the same interests.
In his role as a technology specialist, Hardy makes sure Chromebooks, desktops, and the internet functions are maintained. He keeps a record of every Chromebook that comes in and out of the high school and solves technical problems for students and staff.
“To some teachers or students, they may feel like the problem is overly complex, but I can solve it fairly quickly,” Hardy said.
Hardy likes that he can give people peace of mind by helping them solve issues with technology.
“It’s first block and maybe their projector is not turning on. Or it’s on but it’s not displaying anything,” Hardy said. “Putting my eyes on the system and getting in and helping them out as fast as possible—that‘s what brings me joy.”
According to senior and tech crew member Michelangelo Bellini, Hardy has a very likable personality.
“He’s someone you can have a lot of fun with just in casual conversation, but he’s also somebody that will work with you,” Bellini said. “He’s a very dedicated person. He’s somebody who brings people together.”
He also helped Bellini with a personal problem.
“I had a lot of gripes with the [tech] crew last year because I wasn’t able to get on the [sound] board,” Bellini said. “That was of my own doing, but he helped me work through that.”
Hardy helps out with school plays and musicals. He organizes the set, lights, and stage design involved with the performances.
“I take the director’s vision and try to have it fit the environment that we’re in,” Hardy said.
In the Strath Haven musical “Grease”, Hardy’s dog Tiny appeared in the song, “Raining on Prom Night.”
“He got lots of treats and chilled backstage until his cameo appearance,” Hardy said.
English teacher Mrs. Miriam Drew taught Hardy in 10th grade and has a strong impression of his character.
“When he asked me write to his recommendation letter for college when he was a senior, I was happy to say yes because even though he was a student who didn’t always get perfect grades, he had the character of someone who I was happy to write about,” Drew said.
