Travis Willard named the new principal of Randall High School

In a full-circle moment marked by pride and purpose, Travis Willard was formally named the new principal of Randall High School during Monday evening’s Canyon ISD board meeting. A 2000 graduate of the school and longtime educator, Willard steps into the role following the departure of current principal Steven Singleton, who is transitioning to a leadership position at Region 16 in Amarillo after two decades of service in the district.

With more than 20 years of experience in education, Willard’s professional journey has included positions as a teacher, coach, instructional technology coordinator, elementary school principal, and most recently, associate principal at Randall. He has served as interim principal since the spring semester and now takes on the position full-time heading into the 2025–26 school year.

“This is a little bit surreal,” Willard told attendees. “To walk these halls as a former student and now as principal — there’s a real sense of pride and responsibility. Randall is the place that helped shape my career, and now I get to help shape the next generation.”

Willard joined Canyon ISD in 2020, first leading Arden Road Elementary before moving to Randall High School. A proud product of both Canadian ISD and Canyon ISD, Willard has deep roots in the region. His wife, Randi Willard, serves as associate principal at West Plains High School, and the couple has a child currently attending Arden Road Elementary, further cementing their commitment to the district.

Superintendent Dr. Darryl Flusche praised both Singleton’s enduring legacy and Willard’s readiness to lead.

“Mr. Singleton’s leadership made a lasting impact on Randall High School,” Flusche said. “We are grateful for his service and confident that Mr. Willard’s experience, character, and commitment to students will continue the school’s tradition of excellence.”

Under Singleton’s leadership, Randall High achieved numerous academic and extracurricular milestones, including 14 UIL team state championships, five district academic titles, and back-to-back UIL Lone Star Cup wins — a testament to the school’s all-around excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts.

Reflecting on his time at Randall, Singleton called it “an absolute honor” to serve as principal and work alongside what he described as “some of the best educators in Texas.”

“I’m incredibly proud of what our students and staff have accomplished together,” he said in a statement. “Randall High School is a special place, and I’m confident its tradition of success will continue.”

For Willard, continuing that tradition while making his own mark is a clear priority.

“My job isn’t to be Steven Singleton — it’s to be me,” Willard said. “We’ve got an incredible staff and a strong foundation. I’ll lead with integrity and keep asking how we can make this great school even better.”

He emphasized a leadership philosophy rooted in relationships and student-centered decision-making.

“I believe in leading through relationships,” Willard said. “Students thrive when they feel seen, heard, and supported. That’s the kind of culture I want to reinforce every day on campus.”

As Randall High School prepares to begin a new chapter under familiar leadership, the district and community alike are looking forward to what comes next — honoring the past while moving confidently into the future.

Willard officially begins his tenure as principal ahead of the 2025–26 academic year.