001[Music] It is my honor. honor to officially say that you are our 2025 principal of the year for the entire school district of Arlington public schools. Listen to Alan Smith 2025. [Applause] Walking in and seeing all the lights and hearing the kids cheer. What an amazing privilege. But what is extra special about this award is now all of Arlington County is going to know the superhero that Ellen Smith is. Congratulations for being our superhero, for being the principal that we need to make APS the very best that it is. It's because of you. She's always been a wonderfully open and loving. In fact, I really cried that when she went off to college because she was just such a happy person to have her around and she's always been wonderful. She's a great leader. She
002leads from the front. Her principles and ethics are just impeccable. She's uh honest as the day is long. I've never heard her say a bad word about anybody and she's always been there for everybody in the family. You help show and teach the rise expectations while making it look easy, which is quite remarkable. You show respect in everything that you do, whether it's talking to a student or talking to a staff member. Mrs. E. Smith, we thank you. [Applause] It is such a pleasure to see her when I walk through the hallways. She is so kind and patient to the students and constantly encourages us to learn every day. A From the moment you step into Dorothy Ham, you can feel the warmth, dedication, and support she brings to our community. Miss Smith is not
003just a principal. She embodies the spirit of Dorothy Ham. And she holds us all together as a community. She's embodying to me what she's trying to teach the kids, which is if you keep pursuing something, then you're going to be successful at it. I think it has to do with how much she cares about the kids as just really who she is and what she believes in of that unwavering belief in helping everybody belong in a community and to become everything they possibly can be. And so, Ellen, I'm so proud of you and your accomplishment. She is my aunt, so I love her, but I love her as a principal, too. She's just been the best, most supportive person I could have asked for here. And I think it means a lot to me and
004the whole family that she won this because we all know that she deserved it. We all know how much she does. I cannot thank you enough uh for this honor. Thank you all for your kind words and thank you guys. This is why I come to work every day to see you smile back at me when I say good morning. Being a principal is not a job that you do alone, right? And I've been very fortunate to have a team that surrounds us. Um, that is incredible, right? And so together, this village that we call the Dorothy Ham community, really that collaboration is so important to me. Missy Smith, on behalf of the entire Ham community, we are so incredibly proud of you. Thank you for your dedication and your vision for making Dorothy Ham
005the best place it can be. Congratulations.