News

Where Kindness Creates Courage

Elijah Ferniz, Staff Writer • February 23, 2026

Interim Principal Mr. Echard is our newest arrival at Canyon High School this year. Mr. Echard graduated from Texas State University and has 23 years of experience in school administration. He has served as a principal and an assistant principal in North East ISD and Judson ISD. Recently, he has been the Senior Executive Director of Campus Leadership for San Antonio ISD.

While serving as a principal at other schools, Mr. Echard also taught. “As a teacher, I was a special education teacher and coached middle school football and basketball,” said Mr. Echard.

While moving schools is a big enough challenge, there are also challenges that follow other than that. Moving can be difficult in many ways, with having to learn new ideas, getting used to students and learning how to get around a new campus. This all makes a big change for a person who is moving, and we see that view through Mr. Echard, as he stated, “Understanding all of the infrastructure pieces, the meetings, the times, the schedules–normal stuff when you come to a campus–just the rhythms of the campus are the biggest challenges. And respecting Cougar culture.”

Goals can be big accomplishments for principals, and Mr. Echard has high standards for Canyon High School this year. Mr. Echard stated, “I would say because I’m the interim principal, my biggest goal is to make sure we end this school year very positively and next year build on all the positive things that we’ve done this year since I won’t be the principal next year.”

As many students get used to Mr. Echard, we should continue to respect him and also get along. Mr. Echard said, “ What I enjoy most is the friendly students who have come up to me and greeted me and made it very comfortable for me to be here.” Mr. Echard has proven to be a very kind person and enjoys talking to students throughout the day.

As Canyon High School continues through the school year, students are encouraged to take the opportunity to introduce themselves, be respectful and help make the movement better.

Cougar Tracks wishes Mr. Echard a good rest of the 2025-2026 school year, and we hope that many students will make connections with our interim principal.

About the Contributor

Elijah Ferniz, Staff Writer

Hello! My name is Elijah Ferniz, and I’m glad to be a new staff writer for Canyon High School. This year, I am a sophomore; I joined journalism last year in my freshman year. My plan was originally to join the yearbook team for this year, but after seeing the work of the newspaper in my freshman year, I was so fascinated by it, I was motivated me to be a staff writer. Other than the newspaper, some other hobbies that I enjoy are gardening, band and writing. I am also very kind and helpful to my peers, and I believe that everyone deserves to be helped when struggling. As a new staff writer this year, my goals are to spread as much news to the school as I can and to make people interested in joining the newspaper staff so they can experience how much fun it really is. Please read the stories we provide; they help you learn about the school and teachers!! P.S. If you ever see me in the hallways, come say hi. :)