Students see fresh start in new Lincoln High School principal

This article is part of Concentrate’s Voices of Youth series, which features stories written by Washtenaw County youth with guidance from Concentrate staff mentors, as well as adult-written stories spotlighting local youth perspective. This story by student writer Erica Robinson highlights the arrival of Lincoln High School’s new principal.

Lincoln High School recently welcomed a new principal, Wendy Bridges. As students and staff look ahead to the coming school year, they are eager to get to know the person who will be guiding the school community forward. For many, Principal Bridges represents a fresh start and someone who may bring lasting, positive change.

Lincoln High School is located in Augusta Township, with about 800 students attending. Frequent principal changes have made it difficult for some students to feel connected to the district administration. Over the past six years, Lincoln has had three changes in the principal position. Each new principal brought new goals, rules, and communication styles, and that inconsistency has sometimes left students feeling unheard. The lack of consistent leadership has made it harder for long-term initiatives to stick, and some students feel like this has become a problem.

“It was like just as we got used to one person, they left,” says Jordan Kullback, a freshman at Lincoln High.

Many students at Lincoln share the same opinion, with many feeling like they could not foster a good relationship with the administration as a result. Some students recalled how certain principals had plans or programs that showed promise, but those efforts were cut short when someone new stepped into the position.

With Principal Bridges, many are hoping for meaningful change and lasting leadership. Almost immediately, she made it a priority to meet with each grade level individually to share her goals for the next school year.

“One act of kindness can change someone’s life,” she says, which is a belief that she emphasizes greatly and takes much pride in.

Implementing that specific belief into Lincoln High’s school culture seems to be improving the overall school culture and students’ everyday actions.

Students have also been comfortable expressing their concerns about Lincoln. Some of the most common concerns are vaping activity and bathrooms frequently being locked.  

”The students who usually get in trouble for vaping just get suspended and come back and do it again,” says Samara Wilson, a sophomore at Lincoln.

Bridges says she would like to not just punish students who misbehave, but actually change the behavior and give students support. She wants to have classes that help students who may be struggling with vape addiction and give students the proper support they need.

“I actually really like her,” says Jacob Rosemen, a sophomore at Lincoln High. “I think she really wants to make good impacts at our school.”

Many students and teachers have already made connections with the new principal, which shows a promising start for Bridges at Lincoln. These early signs of connection are giving students and staff alike reasons to be optimistic about the future.

The Lincoln community is feeling more hopeful than ever. With strong leadership, a clear vision, and a heart for students, Principal Bridges may be exactly what the school needs to grow to its fullest potential. Only time will tell, but for now, many are ready to support her efforts and help shape Lincoln into the thriving school community it is meant to be.

Erica Robinson is a rising 12th grader, cross-country captain, and drum major at Lincoln High School. She loves writing to express her feelings in a way that is unique and of her own choosing.

Concentrate staffer Jaishree Drepaul served as Erica’s mentor on this story.