Jennifer Burks, the newest addition to the staff, is excited to be starting the school year as the school’s new Athletic Director (A.D.).
Burks previously taught at Higley High School as the P.E. department chair and head coach of track, cross country, and golf teams. Then in 2009, she became the A.D. and assistant principal before moving to Perry this summer.
Wrestling coach Darren Johnson worked with Burks at Higley and is excited to work with her
again.
“She’s great,” Johnson said. “She’ll give us one hundred percent support.”
Burks attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and was a sprinter and jumper on the track team. She was an eight time All-American, academic All-American, and was nominated for 1992 NCAA Woman of the Year, mainly in the long jump and relays.
Burks’ plans to make sure that girls’ and boys’ sports are equally accommodated for.
“We’re hoping to make Perry one of the best athletic and academic schools around,” she said, “so anything I can do to help that, I’m going to try to do.”
Burks is excited about her job, saying, “The support and help here has been awesome.” She is looking forward to meeting more people at Perry and continuing to improve the athletic program.