Brownwood ISD Board of Trustees President Michael Cloy presented current East Elementary principal Christi Burks and former East Elementary and current Northwest Elementary principal Dee Dee Wright with a Department of Education plaque and a painting of a Brownwood Lion, and the school received its flag to fly proudly as a Blue Ribbon School during a Friday morning ceremony.
In September, Brownwood ISD’s East Elementary School was one of 31 Texas schools recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2022. The award is given by the U.S. Department of Education and is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps.
With all students, faculty and staff for the campus outside for the ceremony, Brownwood ISD Superintendent Dr. Joe Young began the festivities by explaining to the kids the significance of the honor by breaking down the number of schools throughout the country.
“What a great day to celebrate you and all the hard work by you and your school and all your teachers,” Young said. “East Elementary is one of the best schools in the entire country, and it’s all your hard work and the work of the teachers.”
Cloy then spoke and said, “As a school, you overcame a lot of adversity to get this great Blue Ribbon award. On behalf of Brownwood ISD, I want to present to the two principals a plaque from the Department of Education and a flag honoring East Elementary as a Blue Ribbon school.”
The Blue Ribbon flag, along with the American and Texas flags were then raised, and the pledges were recited.
Prior to the conclusion of the ceremony, Wright, who was principal at East prior to the start of the current school year, said, “Thank you so much, I miss you and I’m proud of you. You are all winners and champions and lion-hearted leaders. Thank you so much for being who you are and congratulations on this award. You’re going to do great things this year.”
Burks then led the students in a Blue Ribbon school cheer, and parties in each classroom followed.
