For the first time in many years Winston Academy will begin the school year with a new headmaster. Long-time headmaster, Farrell Rigby, chose to retire at the end of the 2018 school year leaving a vacancy that has been filled by Mike Reans.
Reans stated that he knew Rigby from their years together in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS), and that Rigby had always represented Winston Academy in a very positive light. And when Reans heard of Rigby’s impending retirement he knew that it would be a very good opportunity which prompted him to apply for the position.
Concerning his impression of Winston Academy, Reans said, “One thing you notice right off, it’s a very beautiful campus. I hope they appreciate how good it looks. A lot of people have done a lot of work to make it that way.”
He added, “There’s a lot of good people here. I like the down-home atmosphere. As we get into it, the teachers that I’ve met so far, it seems like they have the best interest of the children at heart.”
Reans, who is a native of Sledge, Mississippi, attended Millsaps College where he majored in political science, and had plans of becoming a lawyer. He also played football at Millsaps and had an opportunity to coach during his first year out of college and has been in the educational field ever since.
Reans stated that Rigby left some ‘big shoes to fill,’ and he wants to continue in the path that has been laid out, and the great attributes that have been developed over the years. He also desires to add new ideas that have come from his experiences at other schools.
Reans was the Asst. Headmaster, athletic director and basketball coach at Riverfield Academy in Rayville, Louisiana for the past seven years. Prior to that he was the headmaster at Kirk Academy in Grenada for three years, and the headmaster at Marvell Academy in Marvell, Arkansas for 12 years.
Reans said that those parents who choose to send their children to WA can expect them to be in a safe place and a Christian environment, and to get a top-notch education.
WA will host an open house on August 5; August 6 will be a half-day for grades 7-12.
