If you have ever heard Zachary High School Principal Wes Watts speak publicly, then you know he often finishes with the line: "It's a great day to be a Bronco!"

And you know he means it. You can gauge the passion he has for his job, the students and all the employees and teachers who are responsible for making ZHS number one by the excitement in his voice.

Watts, a Zachary Rotarian, was the guest speaker of fellow Rotarian Danette Castello last Thursday, July 12.

Watts has been in the Zachary Community School District for three years now and came from another top performing district in nearby Central.

"There's no doubt where God wants me," Watts said. "And no doubt about how valuable this community is."

Watts said he feels very privileged to be the principal of ZHS. "I came here in 2009 to be the assistant principal," said Watts, a former basketball coach. "It's like taking over a team who is 10-0 rather than 0-10. It's nice."

Watts told the Rotary Club that he could talk for hours about how great ZHS is and the Zachary Community School District.

Instead, he outlined a few ZHS facts.

•Zachary High has 146 faculty members - half of them with master's degrees or better, Watts said.

•ZHS ended last school year with about 1,407 students.

•Currently, the ZHS campus has about $31 million in new construction and buildings - including Foundation Hall, a new gym complex, a new arts and performing arts theater and new cafeteria renovations which will reduce three lunch shifts to two and will hold 650 students as opposed to 400.

Watts says a new classroom has been renovated for the nursing department, and one is underway for tv/movie production.

"Movie making is big business in Louisiana," Watts said. "We offer a production curriculum for those who may not want to go to college right after graduation."

•Seven students signed athletic-academic scholarships last school year, with two receiving Gates Millennium scholarships.

Short on time, Watts wrapped with: "It really is great to be a Bronco!"

Watts said he looks forward to another great school year in 2012-13.

The first full day back for all students is Aug. 9.