Most students say goodbye to Har-Ber after just three years, but Assistant Principal Michael Shepard is bidding farewell after eight memorable years.

“We’ve come a long way,” said Dr. Shepherd.

Dr. Shepherd, the junior assistant principal, will make the shift to principal of Hylton Junior High School in Senora. The new school will open its doors to students for the 2013-2014 school year.

“It’s always hard to leave home even though you know it’s the right thing,” he said.

He still looks back fondly on the timeless moments he has experienced during his time at Har-Ber, one of his favorites being winning the State Championship for football in 2009. He also remembers the first school assembly in 2005.

“We could fit everyone on the three sections on the visitor’s side,” Dr. Shepherd said.

With this shift to his new position, comes a great struggle. Dr. Shepherd must interview many potential teachers and staff to fill the halls and classrooms of the new school. This entitles over 80 or 90 interviews.

“We’ll have to hire everyone, from the football coach to the band director to the English teachers to every position we have,” Dr. Shepherd said.

The transition to the new junior high will be an arduous task. He must make many sacrifices in time with his family and friends, in order to prepare the new school for opening.

“I’ll have two full time jobs in the spring,” said Dr. Shepherd. “I’ll still be doing my assistant principal job here, but then I’ll also be principal there.”

In 2011, Dr. Shepherd was been named Virco National Assistant Principal of the Year at the National Association of Secondary School Principals convention in San Francisco.