<b>Bridges Preparatory hires </b><b>Upper School principal</b>

[caption id="attachment_32470" align="aligncenter" width="1692"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Chris-Wilson-Bridges-Prep-Upper-School-Principal.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-32470"><img class="size-full wp-image-32470" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Chris-Wilson-Bridges-Prep-Upper-School-Principal.jpg" alt="Chris Wilson" width="1692" height="1590"></a> Chris Wilson[/caption]

Chris Wilson has been named as the Upper School principal at Bridges Prep effective July 1. &nbsp;

As principal for Bridges Prep’s Upper School, Wilson will be the academic leader for grades 8-10 next year and eventually grades 9-12. Bridges Head of School Dr. Nick Ithomitis announced the hiring as school ended at the fast-growing Bridges Prep state charter school. This spring, the SC Public Charter School District named Bridges a “School of Distinction” and one of the top three state charter schools for academics. &nbsp;

“Chris comes to us with a strong high school teaching background and an excellent academic record,” Ithomitis said of Wilson. &nbsp;

“One thing that stood out during the interview process was Chris's continual and steadfast commitment to students. “Folks who know Chris have commented that he will be a ‘perfect fit for Bridges Prep.’ We are excited to have him on board as we expand into a full K-12 school,” Ithomitis said.&nbsp;

In accepting the position Wilson said, “Bridges Prep is doing so many things right. It’s a wonderful opportunity to grow with the school and bring some of my skills and experiences to help. I am excited by the challenge and humbled by the news that I was selected.”&nbsp;

Dee Matthews, chair of the Bridges Prep board of directors, said Wilson’s hiring comes at a critical juncture for the rapidly-growing state charter school.&nbsp;

"As Bridges continues to grow in both enrollment and academic rigor, we needed someone to help with our academic leadership and administration. We are fortunate to have found someone with such a strong background and history of community involvement as Mr. Wilson, and we are excited to have him join our school," she said.&nbsp;

Prior to taking the Bridges Prep leadership role, Wilson was band director at Beaufort High School. He is rated as highly qualified in music education, teaching instrumental music.&nbsp;

He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Southern Illinois University and his Master’s in Educational Administration from McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill.&nbsp;

Wilson taught for 16 years in Illinois, spending the last 13 years in the Highland School District, where he taught instrumental music, general music and directed the spring musical. &nbsp;

Over the years, in addition to his teaching duties, he has performed with the Edwardsville Municipal Band, Highland Municipal Band, St. Louis Brass Band, Christ Memorial Lutheran Church Orchestra in St. Louis,&nbsp; White Bluff Methodist Church in Savannah and the Baptist Church of Beaufort. He has also been a marching percussion instructor for several schools in Illinois over the past 20 years.&nbsp;

Bridges Preparatory School was chartered by South Carolina in mid-2012 and opened at near capacity in August 2013. Since then, enrollment has grown steadily with almost 600 students enrolled in K-9 this year. For the 2017-2018 school year, Bridges Prep will expand to 10th grade and in two years will be a full-service K-12 state charter school.&nbsp;

To learn more about Bridges Preparatory School, visit www.bridgesprep.org or call 843-9827737. &nbsp;

<b>Local students earn&nbsp;</b><b>kudos, degrees</b>

Several local students have been named to the dean’s list and/or graduated. They are:

• Lorain Tascoe-Bey, of Beaufort, graduated with a Master's of Science from Springfield College.

• The following student were named to the spring Dean’s List at Coastal Carolina University: Michael Gompper, Mary Hart, Tyshanna Major, Alexis Mesel, Daniel Mock, Olivia Walker and Victoria Wheelen, all of Beaufort.