NASSP/Herff Jones Principal's Leadership Award

NASSP/Herff Jones Principal's Leadership Award Scholarship Program

2011–12 NASSP/Herff Jones Principal's Leadership Award Winners Announced

NASSP, in partnership with Herff Jones is proud to announce this year's state winners of the NASSP/Herff Jones Principal's Leadership Award (PLA) national scholarship program. These students, members of the Class of 2012, were chosen from among 3,000 nominees to receive a $1,000 college scholarship.

NASSP and Herff Jones have awarded the PLA scholarships since 1988, providing more than $3.5 million in scholarship awards to outstanding high school seniors from across the nation.

High school principals were invited to nominate a student leader on the basis of their leadership skills, participation in service organizations and clubs, achievements in the arts and sciences, employment experience, and academic record. Student applicants were also required to write an essay. In recognizing leadership in co curricular activities—an essential part of the school curriculum—as well as academic performance, the PLA scholarship program values the importance of a well-rounded education.

In addition to the 100 state winners, eight nominees advanced to receive national awards in the four categories listed below. Herff Jones will present plaques to each of the top eight winners at their respective high schools.

Congratulations to Amy Chyao from Plano East Senior High School, Plano, TX, on being selected as the national winner of the NASSP/Herff Jones Principal's Leadership Award. As the national winner, Amy receives a $12,000 college scholarship.

National Winner ($12,000 Scholarship Award)
Amy Chyao, Plano East Senior High School, Plano, TX; Karen McDonald, Principal

National Finalist ($8,500 Scholarship Award)
Katherine Van Gerpen, T.F. Riggs High School, Pierre, SD; Kevin Mutchelknaus, Principal

National Semi Finalist ($5,000 Scholarship Award)
Matthew Bigelow, Apex High School, Apex, NC; Matthew Wight, Principal

Regional Winners ($1,500 Scholarship Awards)

• Angela Natrasevschi, Ft. Collins High School, Ft. Collins, CO; Mark Eversole, Principal
• Wesley Kelly, Kimberly High School, Kimberly, ID; Luke Schroeder, Principal
• Jingyuan Zhang, Salem High School, Salem, NH; Maura Palmer, Principal
• Albert Shin, Dubin Jerome High School, Dublin, OH; Cathy Sankey, Principal
• Jeremy Wortzel, Council Rock High School North, Newtown, PA Susan McCarthy, Principal

Congratulations to all winners!