Educator Thomas Lesisko has been named the grand marshal of the 30th annual Jim Thorpe Lions Club Halloween Parade, which steps off Saturday at 2 p.m.

Lineup begins at 1 p.m. at the Jim Thorpe Area High School.

“We are honored to have Mr. Thomas Lesisko as our 30th Halloween Parade Grand Marshal,” Pamela McElmoyle of the Parade Committee said. “He is a blessing to our town and has left a lasting impression on student throughout the years. When he wasn’t roaming the halls wearing his principal hat, he could be found at all sporting events and extracurricular activities supporting his students and of course, taking photographs.”

A proud native of Nesquehoning and resident of his adopted town of Jim Thorpe, he has devoted his career to building successful students and fostering a commitment to learning, pride and creativity in the community. His grandparents lived in East Mauch Chunk, where he spent many summers playing around the “Silkie” (Silk Mill). He has fond memories of his cousins scaring him with stories about the haunted houses in “Mauch Chunk.”

Lesisko married Mary Kaye Mulligan and settled in Jim Thorpe, where they raised their daughter Kayla and he launched his career in education.

He began as a graphic design instructor at Carbon County Vocational and Technical School, working with students from all five school districts across Carbon County. Teaching art and design, he discovered that his students taught him as much as he taught them.

For the next 20 years, Lesisko served as principal of Jim Thorpe Area High School, where he had the privilege to work with a diverse range of students, parents and colleagues. He strived to build positive relationships with students, families and colleagues with the outcome of teenagers becoming successful adults. He retired in August and is temporarily serving as the interim superintendent of the Jim Thorpe Area School District.

His commitment to education is personal as well. His continual learning at the Philadelphia College of Art, Temple University and the University of Scranton provided him the credentials to teach and move into administration.

Lesisko has a special connection to the Jim Thorpe Lions Halloween Parade since he served as a judge for the past 12 years. He thrilled in seeing the variety of spooky and seasonal ideas produced by the parade participants. He had the biggest smile when the Jim Thorpe Area High School Band would pass and play “The Time Warp.”

The parade route this year will be similar to the one two years ago.

Coming out of high school parking lot onto Olympian Way:

• Left onto Center Street from Olympian Way to Ninth Street.

• Right on Ninth Street. Ninth Street from Center Street to North Street.

• Turn left on North Street. Follow North Street from Ninth Street to Sixth Street.

• Turn left onto Sixth Street. Sixth Street from North Street to Center Street.

• Right onto Center Street. Follow Center Street from Sixth Street to Third Street.

• Third street is the ending point. Vehicles will proceed to Second Street and disperse onto Route 903. Marchers will board buses on Third street to be transported to Memorial Park.

There will be free refreshments and awards at Memorial Park after the parade.

The rain date for the parade is Sunday.