Principal: CHS getting good results

CLOVIS — Clovis High School Principal Jay Brady is approaching the midway point of his first year at the helm and is bursting with pride daily regarding the results produced by student, faculty and staff.

“In a half year my eyes have been opened to what it takes to handle everything that confronts kids in getting them from their sophomore year to their senior year to graduate,” said Brady, who most recently served as Marshall Middle School Principal. “I have been amazed by so many terrific things that go on in our school.”

Among the innumerable sources of pride is the school’s band, per Brady.

“They’re state champions again,” he said. “I don’t think people really understand what they did during the summer to get ready and go out there and represent our community at an elite level. They’re truly amazing and deserving of all the accolades.”

Brady said the state recently evaluated the school’s Pro Start program, which is designed to teach high school students culinary and management skills needed for a career in the restaurant and food service industry — and CHS did not fail to impress.

“We went through an audit from the New Mexico Public Education Department,” he said. “We have very strong programs of study for what we do for our Career Pathways. The food Pro Start produces is outstanding. It’s a big investment by our district, so I want to commend them for what they’re doing. The level of dedication and attention to detail is unsurpassed.”

Brady also extended kudos to the school’s agriculture department.

“Our agriculture teachers are doing a wonderful job of delivering heightened expectations,” he said. “The ag farm has been transformed, as they have addressed some administrative concerns and cleaned things up. The shop is one of the safest spots in the school. Kids are actively engaged. We just purchased virtual welders for the kids, so they are practicing and that will attract more students.”

A CHS mock election continued a streak in which students correctly elected the winner of the presidential campaign and Brady lauded students for demonstrating school pride.

“We conducted an election with 100 percent participation on our campus and at Clovis High School we have predicted the last three sitting presidents,” he said. “Trump won at our school and then won on election night. And the school spirit has been phenomenal. The kids are putting on the purple and we’re providing a hostile environment for teams that comes in to take on the Wildcats. The kids are really stepping up and we’re very proud of that.”

Brady said the most redeeming element is the one most essential.

“Kids are in class and learning every day,” he said, adding teachers are on hand to provide extra help from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. daily. “That’s our biggest accomplishment.”