NATIONAL DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL PRINCIPALS HONORED
Archived: NATIONAL DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL PRINCIPALS HONORED A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n
FOR RELEASE October 4, 1999
Contact: Melinda Kitchell Malico (202) 401-1008
NATIONAL DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL PRINCIPALS HONORED
Fifty-nine outstanding elementary and middle school principals from across the nation, as well as U.S. schools abroad, were named today as 1999 National Distinguished Principals by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). They will be honored Oct. 15 at an awards banquet at the J.W. Marriott in Washington, D.C. U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley is scheduled to present the awards.
“Among the many challenges faced by today’s principals is helping to ensure that each child is valued and connected at school to a caring adult,” said Riley. “This challenge, coupled with a commitment to raising the academic achievement of all children through higher standards, and ensuring safety and discipline in the nation’s schools, has made the job of a principal even more challenging.
“As the instructional leader, the principal ensures that all aspects of the school help boost student achievement. To accomplish this, good principals spend time in classrooms, help teachers to become more effective and closely monitor student learning. And effective principals function as community leaders by encouraging greater parent involvement, building support for raising standards, connecting with after-school and summer programs and taking part in other community activities. Those being honored here today have distinguished themselves in many of these ways and I commend them.”
“High-quality education takes top-notch leaders,” said Vincent L. Ferrandino, NAESP’s executive director. “These 59 individuals clearly exemplify the characteristics and drive that typify today’s elementary and middle school principals.”
The department and NAESP began the program in 1984 to recognize public and private school principals who make outstanding contributions to their schools and communities.
The distinguished principals were selected by NAESP affiliates in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and by committees representing private and overseas schools. NAESP represents 28,000 U.S. elementary and middle school principals.
Each affiliate used its own selection process, following guidelines established by NAESP and the department for determining outstanding leadership. The guidelines include: nomination by peers; demonstrated commitment to excellence; evidence of support by students, colleagues, parents and the community; high standards and expectations for students and staff; and service as a principal for at least five years.
The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC), based in Houston, is the corporate partner for the annual program. VALIC hosts the awards banquet and provides lodging for the honored principals and their guests. VALIC also provides the principals with a certificate and an engraved, bronze school bell.
NOTE TO EDITORS: A list of principals follows. For biographical information about the principals and information about the October 14-15 program, or to request an interview while the principals are in Washington, call June Million at NAESP, (703) 518-6260 or 1-800-386-2377.
1999 National Distinguished Principals
Alabama Dr. Alice K. Huddleston, Ophelia S. Hill Elementary School, Munford
Alaska Mr. David E. Nufer, Finger Lake Elementary School, Palmer
Arizona Ms. Rosanna B. Gallagher, Mary Louise Robins Elementary School, Tucson
Arkansas Mrs. Sandra K. Hughey, Gosnell Elementary School, Gosnell
California Mrs. Mercedes C. Boles, Holly Oak Elementary School, San Jose
Private Schools of California Ms. Grace Walker, Saint Therese School, Alhambra
Colorado Mrs. Patricia J. Brown, Mountain View Elementary School, Broomfield
Connecticut Mrs. Paula P. Erickson, Dr. Thomas S. O’Connell Elementary School, E. Hartford
Delaware Dr. Edward E. Taylor, II, West Seaford Elementary School, Seaford
District of Columbia Ms. Angela M. Tilghman, Myrtilla Miner Elementary School
Florida Mrs. Melanie Fox, Coral Gables Elementary School, Coral Gables
Georgia Mr. G. David Carpenter, Eagle Springs Elementary School, Byron
Hawaii Ms. Sharon T. Nakagawa, Waialua Elementary School, Waialua
Idaho Ms. Debbie Kay Toy, Trail Wind Elementary School, Boise
Illinois Mr. Marvin R. Warner, Grantfork Elementary School, Highland
Indiana Mr. Curt Hoffman (posthumously), John Wood Elementary School, Merrillville
Iowa Ms. Cynthia L. Morgan, Clark Elementary School, New London
Private Schools of Iowa Ms. Anita J. Westerhaus, Sacred Heart School, West Des Moines
Kansas Mr. Allen L. Park, Washington Elementary School, Hays
Kentucky Mrs. Ima L. Johns, Sanders Elementary School, Pleasure Ridge Park
Louisiana Mrs. Nancy LeCompte Cech, Charles M. Burke Elementary School, Duson
Private Schools of Louisiana Sr. Mary de Lourdes Charbonnet, S.L.W., Saint Edward the Confessor School, Metairie
Maine Mrs. Beth A. Chamberlin, Lura Libby School/Cushing Community School, Thomaston
Maryland Ms. Karen T. Smith, West Side Elementary School, Cumberland
Massachusetts Ms. Michelle M. Fitzpatrick, Howe Manning and Fuller Meadow Schools, Middleton
Michigan Mr. Robert E. Howe, Jr., Leslie Middle School, Leslie
Minnesota Dr. Mary Gwen Endorf, Orono Primary School, Maple Plain
Mississippi Dr. Roland Donald Evans, Eastside Elementary School, Clinton
Missouri Mr. Robert L. Hogan, McIntire Elementary School, Fulton
Montana Ms. Liane J. Hughes, Morning Star School, Bozeman
Nebraska Mr. Tearle P. List, Parkview Heights Elementary School, Lavista
Nevada Dr. James LaBuda, Martha P. King Elementary School, Boulder City
New Hampshire Ms. Susanne P. Whitbeck, Pembroke Hill & Pembroke Village Schools, Pembroke
New Jersey Mr. Joseph A. Pizza, Silver Bay Elementary School, Toms River
New Mexico Mr. Daniel L. Anderson, Chaparral Elementary School, Deming
New York Dr. Ann W. Frantti, Orenda Elementary School, Clifton Park
North Carolina Mr. Carter Dennis Brown, West Buncombe Elementary School, Asheville
North Dakota Mr. Billy P. Demaree, Jeannette Myhre Elementary School, Bismarck
Ohio Mr. E. Kenneth Buckley, Center Street Village Elementary School, Mentor
Oklahoma Ms. Sherry L. Davis, Purcell Elementary School, Purcell
Oregon Mr. Robert S. Goerke, Jacksonville Elementary School, Jacksonville
Pennsylvania Dr. George J. Giovanis, Pine Forge Elementary School, Pine Forge
Rhode Island Mr. Thomas G. Labonte, Wakefield Elementary School, Wakefield
South Carolina Mr. E. Dwight Hettinger, Reidville Elementary School, Reidville
South Dakota Mr. Luther W. Schumacher, C.C. Lee Elementary School, Aberdeen
Tennessee Mr. John E. Wells, Crestview Elementary School, Covington
Texas Dr. Josie Rivera, William Wood and Guadalupe Elementary Schools, Victoria
Utah Mr. Roger G. Bushman, Mount Loafer Elementary School, Salem
Vermont Ms. Michele Ann Arbour, Waits River Valley School, East Corinth
Virginia Dr. Ellen S. Schoetzau, Mantua Elementary School, Fairfax
Washington Mr. Chris E. Borgen, Fidalgo Elementary School, Anacortes
West Virginia Ms. Darlene S. Dalton, Atenville Elementary School, Harts
Wisconsin Mr. Lowell E. Holtz, Peshtigo Elementary Learning Center, Peshtigo
Private Schools of Wisconsin Mr. Dennis L. Vierk, Saint Paul’s Lutheran School, Janesville
Wyoming Mr. Norman S. Carrell, Fort Caspar Academy, Casper
U.S. Department of Defense Dependents Schools Ms. Sharon L. Freed, Feltwell Elementary School, London, United Kingdom
U.S. Department of Defense Dependents Schools Dr. Brenda H. Hunter, Marshall Elementary School, Fort Campbell, Kentucky
U.S. Department of State Overseas Schools Ms. Julie S. Ryan, American School in London, London, United Kingdom
U.S. Department of State Overseas Schools Ms. Areta A. Williams, American School of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon
