Custodian and athletics coach Derrick Hamilton has worked at the school for thirteen years, coaching sports for twelve of those years. Hamilton planned to retire after first semester of this school year, but as summer approached he decided he wanted to stay on staff for more time.

“Sometimes you feel like you’re ready and then sometimes you’re not,” Hamilton said. “I wanted to go a little longer. I think I like the new administration so it could be longer than expected. I have no deadline now. It could be tomorrow. You could be getting the last from me today.”

This school year, Hamilton said he will be a coach for the bowling team, middle school track and hopes to coach flag football in the spring.

“He didn’t tell me until pre-planning [that he was staying],” athletic director Tony Riopelle said. “He’ll continue coaching sports and I think it’s great for kids. He’s a good coach and I think it’s awesome because when you retire you have to take a year off from all coaching. It’s a district policy.”

Senior Jalaya King said she is grateful that Hamilton will be present for her senior year.

“I’ve known him since seventh grade,” King said. “So having him here through graduation and my final year in high school will be very exciting. He will see me play basketball which he got me into since seventh grade and I’ve been doing it my whole school career. He’s seen me through track and he supports me through everything. Once I graduate, having him there will be heartwarming but also a relief to know that someone had my back at school.”