Zilli set to retire as Greensburg Salem High School principal at year's end

Sep. 21—When David Zilli rings in 2024, he'll be ringing in a new chapter in his life.

Zilli is set to retire Dec. 31 as Greensburg Salem High School principal, wrapping up a 35-year career in education.

"I've had an incredible career," said Zilli, who grew up in South Greensburg and graduated in 1982 from the same high school he now heads.

"I've been blessed to come back to Greensburg Salem and work with a teaching staff and an incredible group of people who are genuinely concerned about our students and our community," he said. "The teachers are the people who make a difference in our community. We've had a lot of students go off and do amazing things."

Among them, he noted, are three sisters who each pursued engineering careers and several students who received nominations to military academies.

"I'm also very proud of our students who have gone into vocational careers," Zilli said.

Zilli has served as Greensburg Salem High School principal since 2008, after becoming the school's assistant principal four years earlier.

Previously principal of Greensburg Salem Middle School, Adam Jones has been working for the past year with Zilli as co-principal at the high school, and he is expected to succeed him.

The school board last week agreed to advertise for applicants for assistant high school principal.

Superintendent Ken Bissell said Zilli's leadership will be missed.

"His love and concern for the children, staff and Greensburg Salem community is unmatched," Bissell said. "His service as an English teacher, athletic director and principal impacted many lives.

"His efforts for everyone in the Greensburg Salem community make every day a great day to be a Golden Lion. Mr. Zilli is leaving a lasting mark on Greensburg Salem, and I believe he will continue to do so in his retirement."

Zilli began his career teaching English in 1988 in rural Amelia County, Va., after earning his bachelor's degree in the subject at Waynesburg College, now Waynesburg University.

Zilli moved to Greensburg Salem High in 1995, where he continued teaching English until taking on the role of athletic director, from 2001 to 2004.

He earned a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Saint Vincent College and his principal's certification from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

"It was never about being good enough," Zilli said. "I always wanted to be better. That's what we try to instill in our students.

"It's about focusing on positivity and helping our kids believe they can be better every day."

Over the years, Zilli has coached football, basketball and track and field — including a stint as an assistant football coach at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia.

Though he never liked to see one of his teams losing to an opponent, Zilli said, building character and learning to persevere are of the greatest importance.

"You can lose a lot of games in high school and still be a winner in life," he said.

Beginning in 2024, Zilli said, he'll be spending more time following the games of his son, Christian, who plays baseball at Seton Hill University.

He also said he wants to "stay connected with local groups such as our Greensburg Salem Education Foundation, while still finding opportunities to serve our community.

"I'm simply grateful to be able to serve the community and people who helped raise me. Greensburg is a special place, and my roles with the district have connected me with amazing people who have become longtime personal friends."

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff by email at jhimler@triblive.com or via Twitter .