Photo by Ian Halperin.
Education
By Ian Halperin
Raiders Only Principal Retires
“I
t’s a great day to be alive and a great day to be a Raider!” Anyone who has heard Mike Williams on the morning announcements at Wylie East High School knows that he truly believes both these sentiments are true. Williams opened the school in 2007 and has led the campus through the ups and downs with a steady hand and calming demeanor. Now, after a 38-year career in education, the original “RFL” (Raider for Life) will step away from the classrooms, gyms, band halls and sidelines he has called home. “I know the time is right for me to make this decision on the next chapter of my life,” said Mr. Williams. “I have thought and prayed about it, and while this school year is not ending the way any of us could have imagined, I truly believe this is what is best for me, my family and the Raider Nation.” Mr. Williams came to Wylie in 1998 and held a variety of administrative positions at several campuses. In 2007, he was tapped to open and lead East. The school opened with just 900 students, all freshmen. Today there are 2000 students. “Mr. Williams has been a true gift to Wylie ISD and has created quite the legacy at WEHS through years of consistent leadership,” said Matt Atkins, president of Wylie ISD Board of Trustees and proud East dad. “In a short time, he created rich traditions that make students proud to be a Raider for Life. His passion and genuine care for the students showed every day at that campus through his actions and communication.“ The campus has grown steadily, both in students and in their successes. Raiders have earned state and national honors in every field of competition, including in the classroom. “Mr. Williams brought so much to Wylie East,” said Jaxon Hill, a 2019 WEHS graduate. “He was extremely A Wylie Chamber of Commerce Publication
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Mike Williams, Wylie East High School principal, speaking during graduation ceremony.
personable and made his best effort to come to as many student events as possible, always with a smile on his face, ready to support us.” “I am most proud of East’s academic successes, earning a 93 (“A” rating) and seven out of seven distinctions from the Texas Education Agency,” noted Williams. “We are the only campus in Wylie ISD in 2018-2019 to earn all possible distinctions.” Williams also cited the Pride of the East’s recent top 10 rating in the UIL state marching contest as one of the highlights he will most remember. Other notable highlights of William’s tenure include: numerous students earning National Merit Honors; multiple students earning All-State ranking in band and choir; the 2015 Lady Raider Soccer Team UIL State Championship; Raider baseball’s run last year to the Regional Semi-Finals; the solar car team placing second in the national crosscountry race; football’s five playoff appearances in the first seven years of varsity competition; girls’ basketball’s four consecutive district championships; and numerous students earning college athletic scholarships. "Mike's passion is for kids to learn in a positive atmosphere and that atmosphere is at East," said WISD School Board trustee and Wylie East parent, Mitch Herzog. "Mike wears East as a sense of pride and this was exemplified in everything he did." Williams will be missed next fall, but his legacy of “RFL” will live on in the students he has influenced. “It makes me very happy to see so many of my former students come back to Wylie ISD and serve as teachers to the next generation of Raiders and Pirates,” said Williams. His final act as principal was to preside over the graduation of the Class of 2020. His fondness for Disney is well known, and he said he plans to spent lots of time at The Happiest Place on Earth. • www.wyliechamber.org • 17
6/12/20 11:53 AM
