Cherokee Nation welcomes new superintendent at Sequoyah High School

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The Cherokee Nation recently welcomed Terry Heustis as the new Sequoyah High School superintendent for the 2024-25 school year.

"Cherokee Nation is thrilled to welcome Terry Heustis as the new Sequoyah High School superintendent," Cherokee Nation Chief of Staff Dr. Corey Bunch. said. "With Terry's years of experience in education, I know that his leadership will undoubtedly inspire growth and excellence within the students. Cherokee Nation always strives to give Native American students the tools to succeed in their education, and I know Terry will do his part in that as well."

Terry Heustis, a Choctaw Nation citizen, has 26 years of experience in the education field. He has served in several roles such as coach, teacher, principal and in his previous role as the superintendent of Westville Public Schools for 15 years.

In 1998, Heustis received his bachelor's degree in education from Northeastern State University and his master's degree in educational leadership in 2004 from Southern Nazarene University. He is originally from Westville and is married to his wife, Staci. They have three children and three grandsons.

Sequoyah High School campus.

"I am excited to meet the students and staff of Sequoyah schools. It's my job to help the students and staff excel this year," Heustis said. "Sequoyah has always been an excellent school, and I'm thrilled to be a part of that excellence."

Other new hires at Sequoyah High School include:

• Chris Risenhoover and Kenneth Thornton are new additions to the football staff and will be teaching drivers education and history;
• Coty Thompson - English teacher;
• Hannah Jimenez - science teacher;
• Oscar Brownfield - wrestling team coach;
• Olivia Phillips - athletic trainer.

Sequoyah High School teachers will return on Monday, August 12. Parents and students are welcome for an open house on Tuesday, August 13, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Incoming freshmen will report to school on Wednesday, August 14, and the rest of the grades will start on Thursday, August 15. This year, student enrollment is approximately 330.

Starting this year, the first bell will ring at 8 a.m. In the past, the first bell rang at 8:10 a.m., the additional 10 minutes will be added to the students' lunch period.

Along with a new start time, Sequoyah High School is also offering two new classes for students, Robot Coding and Introduction to Drones.

"Back-to-school means new beginnings and fresh starts for our students, and I'm thrilled to see what this school year holds not only for Sequoyah High School students, but students across the Reservation," Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief Bryan Warner said. "I know these new additions to Sequoyah High School will be beneficial for years to come."

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