Winston-Dillard recognizes April superintendent award winners at board meeting

The Winston-Dillard School District Board of Directors opened its meeting by presenting superintendent academic awards to students from multiple schools. Opal Burns was named the Winston Dillard superintendent award winner for April 2026; her nomination letter, read aloud at the meeting, said, “Opal is an outstanding student with an eagerness to learn and help others,” and identified her parents as Darien Mitchell and Justin Burns.

Looking Glass and McGovern Elementary each presented winners in turn. A teacher reading a letter for Bryland/Brian (transcript variants) Redmond said the student “is an extremely strong reader” who “works hard on the material in front of him and genuinely wants to understand what he is doing and why he is doing it.” McGovern’s nominee, identified in the meeting as Addie Merkert, was described as “a positive role model” and “kindhearted, respectful, [and] amazing.” Board members applauded the students and offered congratulations. The recognitions were part of the meeting’s opening agenda and required no board vote.

The presentations were brief and ceremonial; the district did not attach policy changes or funding decisions to the awards. The board then moved on to more substantive business on the agenda.