Steve Echols, principal of Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School was guest speaker for the regular meeting of the Washington Optimist Club where he talked about W-WCHS being named a U.S. News and World Report “America’s Best High School” for preparing students from the least advantaged groups for college-level work. He also said, “Our plan is to expand the offerings of Advanced Placement classes next school year in order to give students more opportunities to challenge themselves. We are very proud of our faculty and staff for placing the rigor in our instructional and learning environment and our students for accepting the challenge.” Echols was introduced by Ben Norman (left), program chairman for the day.