Water Valley School District

The Water Valley School District Announces Coaches Gunner and Elizabeth Nichols as Head Volleyball/Softball and Cheer Coach

Gunner Nichols is an accomplished educator and coach with 15 years of experience in Mississippi
schools. A graduate of Calhoun City High School, where he played baseball and participated in
several student organizations, Coach Nichols went on to earn his degree from Mississippi State
University.
Throughout his career, Coach Nichols has taught and coached at multiple schools across the state.
For the past seven years, he has been a dedicated member of the Winona High School community.
For the past six years, he has served as head coach for both the softball and volleyball programs. As
Winona High Schools inaugural volleyball coach, Coach Nichols helped establish the program from
the ground up, leading the team to consistent playoff appearances. In his role as head softball
coach, he has similarly guided the team to notable improvements and playoff success.

Elizabeth Nichols has been an accomplished educator and coach in the Winona-Montgomery School
District. With a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a Math endorsement and a Master's
degree in Education and Leadership, she brings expertise and passion to every classroom.
Over the past seven years, Elizabeth Nichols has made a significant impact as an elementary math
teacher, earning recognition as both the 2024 Teacher of the Year and District Teacher of the Year.
Her dedication extends beyond the classroom as she has coached cheer and dance at Winona High
School and served as Spring Assistant Athletic Director. She has also coached cheer and tumbling
privately at various gymnastics facilities.
A lifelong cheerleader, Elizabeth Nichols cheered at the collegiate level at both Holmes Community
College and Delta State University, where she cheered for two years at each institution. Her journey
began at Winona High School, where she earned multiple awards and participated in various
organizations and teams.

Outside their professional achievements, the Nichols are the proud parents to Finley and expecting another daughter in November. They both remain committed to building confident learners and
fierce athletes in their community.

As published in the North MS Herald, May 13, 2026

David Howell, Editor in Chief

Successes from one of the most accomplished years in recent history for the Water Valley High School band program were celebrated May 5 during the annual band banquet at Fountain Square, where students, parents and supporters gathered to recognize awards and continued growth within the program.

The evening opened with recognition of seven graduating seniors: Layla Harris, Skylar Jordan, Lee Ingram, Megan Willingham, Amari Gooch, Lailah Harris and A’lexia Horton.

Band Director Wes Brown reflected on each senior individually, speaking about their leadership, musicianship and influence on younger students in the program. He also used the banquet to reflect on as a landmark season for the band program, highlighting multiple superior ratings, competition milestones and steady improvement over the past five years.

“This year was a very, very special year,” Brown said. “Not only did we see growth in our band as we normally have, as you can kind of see by the trophies behind me, we were able to achieve more.”

Brown said the band performed a difficult halftime show selection during marching season and saw major success at competitions and evaluations throughout the year.

“For the first time, we got superior at Corinth,” Brown said. “And not only did we get superior at Corinth, the drum major got superior, the percussion got superior, the color guard got superior and the band got superior.”

Brown also noted the band placed third in its division at Corinth, marking the first time in school history the band had placed in marching competition.

Brown then reflected on the band’s performance at Northeast Marching Evaluations, which he described as one of the toughest judging environments the band faces each year.

“We know that’s tough judging,” Brown said. “If we go and get twos, we’re good, we’re going to take those judges’ comments and help us get better.”

Instead, the band earned a superior rating — the highest possible score — at Northeast, something Brown said seemed unlikely only a few years earlier.

Brown contrasted the accomplishment with the frustration the band experienced just two years earlier after receiving overall ratings of three at the same event.

“It was one of the most defeating moments when we worked so hard for that performance, and the judges would be like, ‘You got an overall three,’” Brown said. “And then to come back two years later and not give up, and the next thing we know, we get a superior rating.”

At Grenada, Brown said the band did not have its strongest performance overall, but several groups still earned superior ratings.

“Color guard, y’all still got a one. Drum major, you still got a one,” Brown said. “Band, we got a two. But one of the judges still gave a superior, and we get to learn from that. We get to do even better.”

Brown said the band later battled setbacks caused by the winter ice storm, which disrupted rehearsals and put the group behind schedule entering concert evaluation season.

“Just like so many other bands in North Mississippi, we got two weeks behind because of the ice storm,” Brown said. “But we didn’t give up.”

The band ultimately received twos in concert performance but earned its first-ever superior rating in sight reading. Brown said directors from around the state contacted him afterward praising the accomplishment.

“I can’t tell you how many band directors texted me or emailed me after we earned that one in sight reading,” Brown said. “That superior in sight reading means that your kids are doing what they need to be doing.”

Brown said the banquet was not only a celebration of this year’s accomplishments but also of the steady growth of the program since he arrived in Water Valley in 2021 as a first-year band director.

Color Guard Director Jackie Egdorf later presented the color guard awards and reflected on her own unexpected journey into the role.

“I was never a color guard person. I never rolled a baton,” Egdorf said. “I’m band through and through. But it has been one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

Ja’Myia Benson received the Most Improved Color Guard award. Megan Willingham earned the Leadership Color Guard Award, A’Lexia Horton was named Most Outstanding Color Guard member and Amari Gooch received the Superior Leadership Color Guard Award recognizing three years of leadership.

Brown later presented the remaining band awards. Melondi Surrette received Rookie of the Year honors, Henry West earned the Most Improved award and Lee Ingram and Lailah Harris shared Most Outstanding Musician honors. Skylar Jordan received the Stanley Crow Award, presented annually to a senior demonstrating outstanding musicianship and service to the band program.