Willie Wright isn’t new to the Pike County School System but he will wear a new hat when the school bell tolls Aug. 15.

Wright was the assistant principal of PCHS before he assumed the leadership of Pike County Elementary School last fall. But he had no reservations about coming back to the high school that he holds in such high regard as its principal.

Wright told the members of the Brundidge Rotary Club Wednesday that Pike County High School is where he wants to be and that he’s in education “for the kids.”

Wright expressed appreciation to the Rotarians for their leadership in the community and their support of its young people through the scholarships it awards and other ways and means of supporting the youth of the community.

Because Pike County Superintendent Dr. Mark Bazzell is such a good steward of the county’s funds, Wright said the county schools only had to make a few cutbacks and will begin the school year with its programs intact.

“At Pike County High School, we have many opportunities for our students that will prepare them for a successful future in a variety of fields,” Wright said.

He highlighted the Business and Finance Academy at PCHS.

“There are only two business and finance academies in the state and we are proud to offer this opportunity to our students,” Wright said.

The Academy operates an in-school branch of First National Bank of Brundidge and introduces students to broad career opportunities in the financial services industry.

“The Business and Finance Academy gives our students the opportunity to work in a banking environment under the supervision of a bank employee and also for summer employment in the local bank,” Wright said. “In Goshen, we have the Agriscience and Technology Career Academy that offers studies in the animal and plant sciences and provides outstanding opportunities for students interested in careers in agriculture.

At Charles Henderson High School in Troy, there is the Culinary Arts Academy for students who are interested in careers or employment in the food service industry.”

Wright said the academies are open to students from the county and city school systems and provide opportunities for the students to get to know each other and work together.

“Our students need to learn to work together and appreciate each other,” he said. “The academies provide that opportunity.”

Other course opportunities at PCHS include the pre-engineering, building and technology, health and science technical and IT programs.

“The pre-engineering program is for students who are interested in vocational careers and prepares them for future opportunities with companies like Lockheed Martin and Sikorski,” Wright said. “The building and technology program offers courses including architecture, construction, manufacturing and carpentry. The health science technology program is conducted in conjunction with Troy Regional Medical Center.

“This program teaches students what it’s like to work in the medical field. And, we want our students to be technology savvy so we offer IT classes.”

The Global Studies program offers 11th grade students, who score 23 and above on the ACT and have no disciplinary blemishes, the opportunity to take college classes at Troy University.

“This gives our students an opportunity to get ahead of the game and earn college credits while they are in high school,” Wright said. “It’s possible a student who completes two years in the Global Studies program to enter college as a sophomore.”

Wright said that he is proud to be the principal at PCHS and looks forward to opportunities ahead.