Ashdown principal recognized in D.C.

Arkansas’ high school principal of the year was honored in the nation’s capital last week in a ceremony at the Willard Hotel and during a speech on Capitol Hill.

Kay York, who oversees Ashdown High School, joined top principals from the other states at the meeting in Washington. In 2010, she was also honored as Arkansas’ elementary school principal of the year.

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, a Republican from Hot Springs whose district includes Ashdown, also praised York’s accomplishments during a one-minute speech Wednesday on the House floor.

Westerman said York “has dedicated her life to teaching the next generation.”

In an interview, York said this is her 39th year in education. In addition to being a principal, she has also served as a teacher, a librarian and a school counselor.

She has worked in Ashdown since 1989.

Ashdown High School has 433 students in grades nine through 12.

While in the capital, York met with Westerman, U.S. Sen. John Boozman of Rogers and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton of Dardanelle.

She also sat in on testimony concerning the Every Student Succeeds Act, which helps set the nation’s education policies for grades kindergarten-12th grade.

The trip to Washington was rewarding and worthwhile, York said.

“I met so many great principals from around the country that are doing so many innovative things. The professional development that I received was awesome as well as the cultural [opportunities] and the visit with the congressman,” she said.