School Briefs

“ Briefs ”

1. SCHOOL DISTRICT NAMES NEW PRINCIPALS

The Beaufort County School District has new principals for the 2021-22 school year.

Hilton Head Island Middle School welcomes Tanja Wheeler, Ed.D., an educator with international school principal experience. She replaces Patricia Freda, who retired after more than 35 years in education. Wheeler has more than 30 years of educational experience, beginning her career as a family and consumer science teacher in Hamilton, Ohio. She went on to serve as principal at Nacel International School Systems and Future International School. Wheeler holds a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University.

Ryan Milling takes the helm at H.E. McCracken Middle School. He was an assistant principal at H.E. McCracken Middle School since 2020 and replaces Lindsey Skirtich, who left the district for a position in the private sector. Milling began his educational career as a school counselor and held positions in Darlington, Fort Mill, and Florence School District Three before joining BCSD in 2020. He holds master’s degrees in Educational Leadership and Counseling and Development, both from Winthrop University.

Melissa Holland is the new principal at M.C. Riley Elementary School. Holland had been principal of Beaufort Elementary since 2015. She replaces Adrienne Sutton, a 30-year district veteran who retired after serving as principal of M.C. Riley Elementary School for over a decade and prior to that, principal of Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center. Holland’s 20-plusyear career at BCSD began as a teacher at Hilton Head Island Elementary School. She has held assistant principal positions at Bluffton, Lady’s Island and Beaufort elementary schools. She holds master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education and Educational Administration, both from the University of South Carolina.

WHEELER

MILLING

HOLLAND

BROWN

JOHNSON 2. CROSS SCHOOLS HIRES TWO STAFF MEMBERS

Kate Brown and DeLeon Johnson have joined the staff of Cross Schools in Bluffton. Brown will serve as director of admissions, which includes meeting with prospective families, giving tours of Cross Schools and supporting marketing initiatives. Brown earned her bachelor of arts degree from Davidson College in North Carolina, where she studied French and theater. Following her graduation, she taught English in Cambodia with the Peace Corps.

Johnson is the athletic director and head basketball coach. Johnson has worked as a coach for the past 10 years at the collegiate, high school, and middle school levels. He previously was a behavior management specialist at H.E. McCracken Middle School in Bluffton, in addition to his coaching duties at several levels with local sports programs.

3. HILTON HEAD CHRISTIAN OFFERS THEATER CAMP

Hilton Head Christian Academy Lower School students can participate in the third annual Lower School theater camp production of Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS! The camp will meet after school on Mondays (3 p.m.-4:45 p.m.) and Fridays (12:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m.) beginning Aug. 20 and through the production on Oct. 2. Registration deadline is Thursday, Aug. 19. Limited to 60 students. For more information, email mmcelroy@hhca.org or jkrimm@hhca.org.

4. HERITAGE ACADEMY KICKING OFF SPORTS SEASON

Heritage Academy is launching its new athletic program this fall. Liz Nash is the school’s new athletic director. The athletic program will initially have cross country and track, sailing, basketball, tennis, golf, swimming, and a Sports Performance Academy. Nash has more than 20 years of coaching experience.