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CHS Principal changing jobs

February 27, 2026 by David Svien

Dan Berard

Coupeville High School will have its third principal in as many years when the 2026-2027 school year begins.

Dan Berard, who is in his first year in the district after a 27-year education career in Mount Vernon, is stepping down as CHS Principal and Career and Technical Education Director.

But he’s not leaving the prairie.

In a letter sent to students and families, Berard said “due to changing family health needs, I will be stepping away from my role as principal at the end of this school year to accept a different position within the Coupeville School District beginning next year.”

“This has been a thoughtful and personal decision,” he added.

“Serving as principal of Coupeville High School has been one of the greatest honors of my career.”

Berard’s new position has not been publicly revealed yet, with his letter saying, “in the coming weeks, the district will share more information about leadership transition plans.”

In that letter, Berard spoke glowingly of his time as Principal/CTE Director.

“I am deeply proud of our students, grateful for our dedicated staff, and appreciative of the partnership we share with families and this community,” he said.

“While my role will change, my commitment to our students and to Coupeville remains strong.

“I am thankful to continue serving within the district in a capacity that allows me to support my family while remaining part of this incredible school community.”

With four months remaining in this school year, Berard intends to keep things moving along smoothly.

“Please know that I am fully committed to finishing this school year strong,” he said.

“Our focus remains on supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally as we move toward graduation, spring activities, and all the important milestones ahead.”

Berard replaced Geoff Kappes after he resigned as Coupeville’s high school and middle school principal, while also picking up the CTE duties.

Becky Cays was hired as CMS Principal and CHS/CMS Athletic Director and remains in those positions.

Before coming to Whidbey, Berard was most recently the Executive Director of Operations for the Mount Vernon School District.

He previously worked as a teacher, middle school principal, assistant principal, dean of students, and athletic director, starting in Mount Vernon schools in 1998.

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Wolves stay scrappy to the end

February 27, 2026 by David Svien

Basketball or volleyball? Cami Van Dyke is a soaring star in both. (Julie Wheat photos)

They brought their A-game.

Back on their home court for the first time in two weeks-plus Thursday, the Coupeville Middle School girls’ basketball teams squared off with Cascade League heavyweight King’s and mostly held their own.

Both Wolf teams were within three points heading into the fourth quarter, and while the visitors escaped with two victories, the private school hoopsters had to scrap to get them.

“Both were great games and close till the last fourish minutes of the (fourth) quarter,” said Coupeville coach Brooke Crowder.

“Lots of shot attempts, could not get them drop in.”

 

Level 1:

Coupeville led by one after the first quarter (7-6) and went into the halftime locker room all knotted up at 15-15 but then hit a bit of a cold spell on offense across the game’s final 14 minutes.

That allowed King’s to creep ahead 21-18 through three quarters before putting the game on ice late in a 30-20 win.

The loss drops CMS to 1-3 on the season.

The Wolves spread out their offense, getting points from eight of the 11 players to hit the floor.

Laurel Crowder and Emma Green led the way with four apiece, while Kaleigha Millison (3), Finley Helm (2), Aubrey Flowers (2), Zayne Roos (2), Cami Van Dyke (2), and Bella Sandlin (1) also scored.

Millison earned her points courtesy a long-range three-ball, while Sabrina Judnich, Claire Lachnit, and Annabelle Cundiff rounded out the Wolf rotation.

Sophia Burley beats her defender.

Level 2:

This one was even closer, with King’s using a late run to pull out a 24-18 victory, dropping CMS to 0-4 on the season.

The teams were locked in a 6-6 battle through one quarter, before the visitors pulled ahead 13-12 heading into the half.

Abby Hunt splashed home a three-ball in the third to keep the Wolves within 17-16 exiting the quarter, but the visitors found just enough of a fourth-quarter spark to nail down the victory.

Hunt banked in five points to pace Coupeville’s scoring, with Halle Black (4), Juniper Dotson (2), Daisy Leedy-Bonifas (2), Sandlin (2), Cundiff (2), and Addison Jacobson (1) also keeping the scorebook keeper’s pencil busy.

Sophia Burley, Ava Alford, Arianna Vinson, and Reagan Green all saw floor time as well for CMS.

 

Level 3:

King’s only goes two teams deep, preventing Coupeville from getting to play a third game for the second time this week.

 

What’s next:

Coupeville hosts Lakewood Mar. 3 and Sultan Mar. 9, then hits the road for its final two rumbles of the campaign.

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Road warriors earn hardwood split

February 25, 2026 by David Svien

Sabrina Judnich eyeballs the defense. (Julie Wheat photos)

Another day, another city.

The Coupeville Middle School girls’ basketball teams survived another road trip Tuesday, this one coming to Everett to play Northshore Christian Academy.

Now, the Wolves get to break a two-week-plus drought by staying home, sweet home for their next three clashes, beginning with a royal rumble Thursday against King’s.

After that, CMS hosts Lakewood Mar. 3 and Sultan Mar. 9, before venturing back out on the bus for the season’s final two adventures at South Whidbey and Granite Falls.

 

How Tuesday played out:

 

Level 1:

Coupeville’s top squad captured its first win of the season, holding off NCA 27-20 to get to 1-2 on the campaign.

The Wolves eased out to a 6-4 lead through one quarter of action, before stretching the halftime margin to 13-8.

While its hosts sliced the deficit down to 19-17 heading into the fourth frame, CMS came up big across the final seven minutes to seal the deal.

Anna Powers popped for four of her game-high nine points in the final quarter to provide a nice spark for the Wolves.

Anna Powers leads a breakaway.

Laurel Crowder banked in eight in support of Powers, with Kaleigha Millison (4), Cami Van Dyke (4), and Zayne Roos (2) rounding out the scorers.

Aubrey Flowers, Finley Helm, Claire Lachnit, Ava Alford, and Sabrina Judnich also saw floor time for the victorious Wolves.

 

Level 2:

Coupeville jumped out to an early lead but then stalled out on offense in the second half, resulting in a narrow 22-15 loss.

The Wolves, who sit at 0-3 on the season, trailed 6-4 at the first break, before claiming an 11-8 lead at the half thanks to some big buckets from Annabelle Cundiff.

The third and fourth quarters didn’t go quite as well, with CMS limited to just a single bucket in each frame.

Cundiff and Daisy Leedy-Bonifas paced the Wolves with four points each, with Halle Black (2), Alford (2), Juniper Dotson (2), and Arianna Vinson (1) also notching points.

Amira Anunciado, Nikolette Dunham, Addison Jacobson, Ellie Callahan, Millie Somes, Reagan Green, Judnich, and Autumn Hunt rounded out the rotation.

 

Level 3:

Northshore Christian only goes two teams deep, so Coupeville’s third squad didn’t get a chance to thunk its rivals.

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CHS girls enjoy banquet life

February 25, 2026 by David Svien

Cousins Capri Anter (30) and Haylee Armstrong are ready to wreck folks. (Julie Wheat photos)

The final basket has been sunk; the final team award is in the book.

While Northwest 2B/1B League All-Conference honors won’t be announced until after the state tourney, the Coupeville High School girls’ basketball teams capped their season Wednesday with a banquet, handing out letters and awards.

Junior gunner Haylee Armstrong, who paced the Wolf varsity in scoring this season, was tabbed the Offensive MVP, while senior Danica Strong was named Defensive MVP.

Other award winners for Scout Smith’s squad included Kennedy O’Neill (Iron Will) and Arianna Cunningham (Most Improved).

On the JV side of things, Ava Lucero won Leader of the Court, with Taylor Marrs (Hype Man Award), Cami Van Dyke (Hustle Award), and Finley Helm (No Matter What Award) also bringing home honors.

Finley Helm floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee.

 

Varsity letter winners:

Capri Anter
Haylee Armstrong
Teagan Calkins
Arianna Cunningham
Lexis Drake
Adeline Maynes
Kennedy O’Neill
Danica Strong
Tenley Stuurmans
Sydney Van Dyke

 

Participation certificates:

Emma Cushman
Olivia Hall
Finley Helm
Willow Leedy-Bonifas
Ava Lucero
Taylor Marrs
Elizabeth Marshall
Allie Powers
Anna Powers
Zayne Roos
Cami Van Dyke

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“I’m grateful for every moment”

February 24, 2026 by David Svien

Deb Sherman hangs out with one of her grandkids at a basketball game a few years back. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

She came from the big city and built a vibrant life on the prairie where her husband’s family has lived for generations.

Along the way, Deb Sherman, who ran at the state cross country meet for Everett High School back in her Deb Dire days, has become forever linked to Coupeville.

This is where she and husband Don raised their three sons, this is where her countless grandchildren now frolic, this is where her kindness and joy have taken root.

When the school year ends, she is stepping away after 27 years of guiding Cow Town’s children, retiring from the teaching profession she has honored, and which has given her so much in return.

Not that she’s going away anytime soon, just that she won’t be in a classroom at the elementary school anymore, one of the best to ever do the job.

As she prepares for the transition, Mrs. Sherman offers a fervent farewell:

 

These years have been filled with moments I’ll carry with me forever.

I’ll never forget standing at a Coupeville parade a few years back, watching float after float go by filled with students in various sports and activities.

They were shouting, “Hello, Mrs. Sherman!” from every direction.

The woman standing next to me finally turned and asked, “Who are you?”

That’s when it hit me — in Coupeville, we teachers are rock stars.

At games, at community events, even in the grocery store, we’re recognized and valued in a way that’s rare and precious.

I will deeply miss that connection.

I’ll miss the kids who grew up before my eyes, the families who trusted me with their children, and the colleagues who became friends.

This community has given me far more than I could ever give back, and I’m grateful for every moment — the challenging ones that made me grow and the joyful ones that reminded me why I chose this profession.

Thank you for 27 years of support, laughter, and shared purpose.

While I’m ready for what comes next, leaving this small district family will be bittersweet.

With gratitude and warm regards,

Debra Sherman

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