We are excited to share some important news regarding leadership changes at Harbor Ridge Middle School and Vaughn Elementary School.

After 39 years of dedicated service in public education, Principal Brian Wickens has decided to retire. Brian has been a beloved member of the Harbor Ridge Middle School (HRMS) and Gig Harbor community since 2004 and took on the role of principal in 2022. His commitment to fostering a positive and supportive educational environment has left a lasting impact on countless students, staff, and families. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Brian for his remarkable contributions and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.

With Brian’s retirement, we are pleased to announce that Assistant Principal Scott Yingling will step into the role of Principal at HRMS. Scott joined the HRMS team in 2022, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to educational excellence. Prior to his time at HRMS, Scott served as the Assistant Principal at Gig Harbor High School and Battle Ground High School for six years. His proven leadership skills and dedication to student success make him the ideal candidate to lead Harbor Ridge Middle School into the future. Scott shared his vision, stating, "I feel that an administrator must be a facilitator of happiness. My focus is to have school be a place that students want to be rather than somewhere they have to attend. Students feeling like they belong, having a connection to adults and classes, showing respect and being kind are what drives the culture and community of a school."

We are also thrilled to announce that Abbie Barabe, the current principal at Vaughn Elementary, will step into the role of Assistant Principal at HRMS. Abbie started at Vaughn in 2020 and previously served as principal at Manitou Park in Tacoma from 2017 to 2020. She began her career in education in 2003. Abbie expressed her enthusiasm for this new role, stating, "As proud as I am of the accomplishments of my current elementary school, I am also excited about the opportunity to extend my impact and leadership to the middle school level."

Please join us in congratulating Brian Wickens on his retirement, welcoming Scott Yingling as the new Principal, and Abbie Barabe as the new Assistant Principal of Harbor Ridge Middle School. We are confident that Scott’s and Abbie’s leadership will continue to uphold a welcoming environment where every child feels empowered to excel.