​With every new school year at WHS comes plenty of fresh faces. Next year, RIS Assistant Principal Mr. Derrick Nelson will be one of them. Nelson will be joining Ms. Mary Asfendis as an assistant principal at WHS, filling the role currently held by Mr. Jeremy Davies.

Before becoming an administrator, Nelson worked as a fourth, fifth and sixth grade teacher.

He said: “I loved being able to help kids as a teacher, but as an administrator you can help kids on a more global scale. Also, by helping the teachers, I can reach more kids.”

Nelson added that he looks forward to being around the students “in their glory” at the many events that WHS offers.

According to Nelson, this will be his first time working in a high school. He said that at first, he will spend much of his time observing how this school functions.

Because of his middle school experience, many freshmen will be reacquainted with Nelson.

Freshman Meghan Summers said, “It will be a really good experience for Mr. Nelson to come to the high school.”

Nelson has been at RIS for two years, and he said that his transition to WHS will be “bittersweet.”

Said Nelson: “Even though RIS is only half a mile away, you form relationships with people and I am going to miss those connections. However, I am excited to form new relationships.”