Dear Eagle Family,

Welcome to Wilkes Central High School and the 2025-26 school year! In serving as your

principal, I could not be more proud of the strong growth mindset culture and #EaglePride our

staff, students, and community work together to foster here at WCHS. As an Eagle alumna, it is an honor to serve our Eagle Nation and lead alongside each of you to best meet the personalized needs of each student, staff member, and family here at The Nest. In living out our school mission statement for ALL Eagle leaders to be CONNECTED, EMPOWERED,

AND PREPARED to achieve our vision that ALL Eagles will be prepared to ENLIST, ENROLL, and/or EMPLOY after high school, we recognize the importance of working together to Unlock Potential in each one of our Eagles. We have made tremendous growth in all areas over the last couple of years at WCHS, and it will continue to take ALL of us invested in ALL students to continue Reaching New Heights to help them lead their own learning and meet their goals!

Students: Being an Eagle comes with great responsibility! Use each day in the upcoming school year to equip yourself with the skills you need to take full advantage of the opportunities you

have to grow and lead in such an amazing school. WCHS has a strong tradition of excellence in academics, athletics, fine arts, community leadership, and more, and it is up

to each of you to partner with us to not only maintain that tradition of excellence, but leave WCHS better than when you first arrived. In order for you to do that, you must commit yourself to the following goals:

1. Show up and be on time to school. One of the most important skills you can learn in preparation for life beyond high school is that others are looking for those who are dependable, respect themselves and others, and operate with integrity. Attendance is the #1 factor in determining whether or not a student is successful in highschool and stays on track for graduation. Did you know that if you have 6 absences in each class over both semesters that you are actually missing 4,320 minutes of instruction in a school year? Having more than 6 absences in any class each semester may result in loss of credit for that class even if you have a passing average.Attendance matters!
2. Commit yourself to having a growth mindset for each new challenge you have the opportunity to take on
3. Work to unlock the unique greatness each of you possess. In order to do this, acknowledge that greatness only comes with being challenged, capitalizing on our strengths and actively working on our areas for growth, and then learning to be resilient when we experience failure. Occasional failure and setbacks are inevitable, but how you learn to respond is what determines your ability to be successful in the end.
4. Unlock the potential inside of you to positively impact our school family and the world around you! Student and staff safety is our top priority at WCHS and is essential in order for ALL of us to create and maintain a school where ALL students can take advantage of opportunities to lead and grow. Therefore, please make sure you proactively explore the resources we have to assist you throughout the year and uphold the high expectations we have in place to make WCHS a safe and equitable learning environment. Our WCHS Student Handbook (see WCHS school website) is a valuable tool students and families can use to best understand how they can partner with us to maximize the potentials of ALL students throughout the year. 

Each school year always flies by, and the 2025-26 school year will be no different. So please stay connected to our school by ensuring we always have up-to-date contact information for your family, following our school website, social media platforms, and signing up for Remind communications. Here are a few tips and reminders that will help our students and families feel best prepared for the new school year.

Let’s all strive to be a part of Reaching New Heights together at WCHS this year and beyond. If anyone in our Eagle

family stumbles on the 2025-26 school year trail, let’s extend grace and help them

stay on their own path to greatness! Our students deserve nothing less, and working

closely together, we can guide them to reach new summits as they prepare to be

#Limitless at The Nest!

Sincerely,

WCHS Principal

Dr. Heather M. Freeman

Mrs. Kendall Steelman
Assistant Principal

Welcome, Eagle Family. I am excited to enter this chapter as an assistant principal for Wilkes Central High School. I come from a family of educators in this profession, and I believe relationships are the key to success. I also have a background in athletics and am a true believer in “Teamwork makes the dream work.” Always remember we are working together, rising to the challenge of success and holding all accountable. This is my 17th year in the Central district for Wilkes County Schools. I truly appreciate all this community has to offer. Wilkes Central High School has a reputation for success in academics, arts, and sports. As this school year begins, I encourage all staff, students, and families to encourage all positive happenings at “The Nest”. Please make time each day to reflect on the WCHS mission statement, so that as Eagles we stay connected, empowered, prepared. And most importantly, EAGLES LEAD!

Be sure to set goals for this school year to excel in and out of the classroom. You never know who you can encourage to safe and smart actions just by a simple hello or providing a helping hand. Please understand that my goal for this year is to be a resource to all of our Eagle Family. Thank you for your preparation in getting ready to start your engines; you are on the right track and the finish line is in sight. For as Eagles, we stay connected, empowered, and prepared.

Ms. Takiyah McCathern

Assistant Principal

I am a 1996 graduate of Wilkes Central High School. I began my teaching career in 2022 in Hickory City Schools as a NC Teaching Fellow from Appalachian State University. I moved back to Wilkesboro and taught for several years in the special education department at several elementary schools in the area. I am a Western Carolina Principal Fellow graduate and started my administration career at Wilkesboro and Millers Creek Elementary School. The last four school years I have been at Central Wilkes Middle School. In my spare time I enjoys spending time with my 3 children Jaliyah, TJ, and Jayla and I love to travel. I am is looking forward to reconnecting with myformer students and continuing to serve the Wilkes Central community.