Each year, HISD honors two principals who represent the very best things that the district’s leadership has to offer. This year’s honorees, Principals Amanda Wingard and Keoshya Dunn, were recognized at their home campuses in surprise celebrations orchestrated by their students and colleagues. Superintendent Millard House II was present to present Wingard and Dunn with certificates of appreciation for their outstanding service to their schools and the HISD community.

Neff Elementary teachers and staff summoned Wingard to the library where she was surprised by a crowd of cheering students, including Neff Eagle cheerleaders who led the group in a celebratory cheer. Wingard was overcome with emotion upon seeing her students and colleagues there to honor her. House presented Wingard with a certificate and a sash proclaiming her Elementary Principal of the Year.

Dunn, the Secondary School Principal of the Year, was equally surprised by her reception in the Lawson Middle School cafeteria where the drumline and dance team serenaded her, and House and her colleagues waited with her certificate and a cake. The Lawson cafeteria was decorated with festive red, gold, and black balloons in honor of Lawson’s school colors.

Both Dunn and Wingard began their careers with HISD at the campuses where they were named Principal of the Year, an emotional and poignant honor for each awardee.

“The Principal of the Year is the kind of individual who embodies all of the qualities of what it is to be a service leader, to give of themselves, to give it all for their staff and their students on a daily basis,” said House, who was a recipient of the Principal of the Year award himself in 2003. “These qualities are embodied by both of our principals of the year, and we’re very excited to celebrate them as they deserve.”