Board recognizes state champions, National Board-certified teachers and REB award winners

The Henrico County School Board used its April 17 meeting to recognize numerous student and staff accomplishments, including VHSL state champions, National Board-certified teachers, REB award winners for teaching excellence, librarians of the year, and a REB distinguished leader award for a principal.

Dr. Cashwell and other presenters read the names of athletes and coaches from several schools who won state championships in swimming, track and field, pole vault, wrestling, and cheer competition, noting individual achievements and records. The board also recognized more than 28 Henrico staff who earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and noted that Henrico had the largest total of newly certified teachers of any Virginia division this year.

Nut graf: The recognitions covered a broad set of athletic and professional achievements — team and individual state championships and professional honors that the division presented publicly to celebrate accomplishments across schools and grade levels.

Details: Announced student honors included Douglas Freeman High School girls and boys swim-and-dive state champions and individual winners from Godwin and other schools; multiple track and field event champions; and a wrestling state champion from J.R. Tucker High School. The board also announced 2024 REB award recipients from Henrico — six teachers were singled out and one principal, Rainey Neal of Marsh or March (transcript spelling corrected to Rainey Neal), received the 2025 REB award for distinguished educational leadership. The REB awards included grants for professional development and school projects. In addition, Sarah Young (elementary) and Kelly Bridal (secondary) were named HCPS librarians of the year.

Ending: The board applauded the honorees and moved on to the business portion of the agenda after completing recognitions.