’89 Grad Named VHS Principal

A graduate of the Vidalia High School Class of 1989 will fill the vacant Vidalia High School Principal position, beginning this upcoming school year.

Bruce Mulkey, who currently serves as the principal of Adairsville High School, was approved by the Vidalia City Schools Board of Education at its monthly luncheon meeting on Friday. This position became available after current Vidalia High School Principal continued from page

John Sharpe announced in March that he would be leaving the school after nine years to become the CEO and Director of the Southeastern Early College and Career Academy (SECCA).

“We hate to see John leave, but we are blessed to find someone with the qualifications of Bruce Mulkey,” said Vidalia Superintendent Dr. Garrett Wilcox. “Bruce has 11 years of experience as a high school principal, and getting someone with the experience and character of Bruce Mulkey is a huge win for us!”

Mulkey has 28 years of experience in education, 14 of which were spent as a principal. Most recently, he has served an 11-year tenure as the principal of Adairsville High School in Bartow County.

According to Mulkey, this tenure made the decision to leave Adairsville difficult, but the opportunity to return to his roots was too much to pass up. “After 16 years of serving the Adairsville community, it was an extremely difficult decision for our family to consider leaving,” Mulkey emphasized. “However, the opportunity to come home and build on what Mr. Sharpe and the VHS staff have accomplished was too good to pass up.”

Mulkey received his secondary education from Berry College and Jacksonville State University before settling into his career and building a family. He has been married for 26 years, and has four children: Emile, age 24, Katie, age 22, Braden, age 14, and Brylie, age 13.

“I want to thank Dr. Wilcox and the BOE for the opportunity and for their patience through the entire process,” Mulkey concluded.

BOOST GRANT – The Downtown Vidalia Association (DVA) presented Peppy’s with a BOOST Grant to aid in the cost of moving the business to Downtown Vidalia. The store, a gifts boutique, is now located across the street from Vallarta’s and is open to the public. Back row, L to R: Vidalia City Manager Nick Overstreet, DVA Board Member Jessie Carter, Economic Development Committee Member Tish Holland, Vidalia Mayor Doug Roper. Front Row, L to R: Economic Development Committee Member Heather Davis, DVA Director Tonya Parker, Peppy’s Owner Terri Humphrey, Economic Development Committee Member Jennifer Martinez.Photo by Makaylee Randolph