West Lauderdale High School principal Kevin Cheatham, left, was named Lauderdale County School District's Administrator of the Year by Superintendent Randy Hodges, at right, Thursday at West Lauderdale High School.

    COLLINSVILLE – West Lauderdale High School Principal Kevin Cheatham choked up Thursday when he was named Lauderdale County School District’s Administrator of the Year.

    Superintendent Randy Hodges surprised Cheatham with the announcement in the school’s library.

    In explaining the reasons for the selection, Hodges cited Cheatham’s leadership in steering West Lauderdale to becoming one of the best schools in Mississippi. The school earned all As from the Mississippi Department of Education’s Accountability System for 2014.

    “It’s so difficult in these times to have a school that reaches such a high level of excellence but West Lauderdale is certainly one and that starts with great leadership at the top,” Hodges said. “Over the years, Mr. Cheatham’s leadership has been outstanding and it has come in a very positive way.”

    Cheatham credited the community of Collinsville, parents, teachers and his staff for helping the school to achieve its ranking as the highest rated school in Lauderdale County.

    “It would not happen without the great people around me,” Cheatham said. “I appreciate their support.”

    Hodges also credited the school’s support system.     

    “They have such great community pride here,” Hodges said. “It speaks to the great staff he has and the great teachers he has.”

    Cheatham also thanked the West Lauderdale student body for their hard work.

    “It’s great students who want a great education from a great community,” Cheatham said.

    Hodges said the school is ranked seventh in the state out of 152 school districts academically and is well rounded in athletics and other activities.

    West Lauderdale’s baseball team won a record 13th state baseball championship last May.

    “We have high expectations here,” Cheatham said. “We instill pride in our kids. It’s become a community tradition. It starts with the support of the parents and they expect a quality education and we deliver them a quality product.”

    Cheatham will be nominated for the Mississippi Administrator of the Year Award by Hodges. He has been an educator for 27 years. Cheatham graduated from Neshoba Central High School and Mississippi State University.