New faces are roaming the halls of Wenatchee High School this year, after many faces have transferred positions or schools, or retired.

Topping the list of the many changes include new Athletic Director Jim Beeson, who filled BJ Kuntz’s position when she transferred to the Dean of Students role, and Dave Perkins, who filled Gracie Helm’s Assistant Principal role after she transferred to Washington and Mission View elementaries as an assistant principal.

Beeson has taught everything from business education to leadership at his former high school in Kenai, Alaska, which was home to about 500 students. He most recently served as Kenai Central School’s assistant principal.

He has family in Washington, so the job opening at WHS was an “opportunity [he] couldn’t pass up.” Beeson wants students at WHS to enjoy activities and have the “best possible experience,” without focusing on wins and losses. He said it’s more about doing things the right way and learning important life lessons from athletics.

“Anything worth having is worth working for,” Beeson said.

In high school Beeson played football, basketball, and baseball. Beeson graduated from Central Washington University.

The athletic department won’t see a lot of changes this year, Beeson said, but he will be putting together a committee to start revision of the student athletic handbook. The committee, he said, will be comprised of a student, parent, and faculty member, among others.

“I certainly don’t claim to know everything,” Beeson said, noting that it would be “foolish” for him to come in and change things right away. He’ll spend the majority of the year listening and observing what’s working.

So far, Beeson is impressed by the student population and adults at WHS, calling them cordial, nice, and welcoming. Beeson said he plans to be here at least 10-15 years.

Perkins came to WHS from Phoenix, where he formerly served as a Dean of Students to a K-8 school. He said he comes from a high-needs students background and has a lot of experience and support available to those students.

He’s also a lot younger than most administrators, so he said his energy and enthusiasm will help connect and relate to students.

Perkins will oversee many of the similar things that Helm did, but will now supervise the art department, instead of P.E., which is now under Kuntz oversight.

Since he arrived in August, everyone has been “very welcoming and helpful,” making it easier for him to integrate really well so far.

This year, he’ll focus on getting into classrooms to support staff and students, noting that there are already “great teachers, great programs, and so many great things going on.”

Perkins also noticed a lot of school spirit, especially at the Chiawana football game Sept. 12, which “enhanced an already good experience.”

So far, The Thai and McGlinn’s are two of his favorite restaurants. But most of all, coming from Arizona, Perkins’ son has never seen snow. “I’m looking forward to … seeing winter through my son’s eyes,” Perkins said.

WHS has also welcomed the following staff members to the team this year.

• Annika Bibby, Special Education
• Sunny Bitle, Special Education (Transition House)
• Loren Brown, Business Education
• Kathi Bullis, Instructional Coach
• Jacqueline Cloakey, Math
• William (Bill) Higgins, English
• Nigel Hunter, Social Studies
• Dustin Johnson, Math
• Leticia Manzo, International Languages (Spanish)
• Marti Minard, Deaf Ed Interpreter
• Steve Priest, Art
• Russell Rummler, Art
• Kathy Sadler, Family/Consumer Sciences
• Anne Stewart, Social Studies
• David Vasquez, English
• Travis Williams, STEM Technology/Head Boys Basketball Coach
• Carolina Davila, Special Education
• Kathy Smith, Special Education
• Julia Garcia, Special Education
• Minnie Smith, Special Education