HENRICO, Va., Sept. 24, 2025 — Henrico County Public Schools principals devote countless hours to their students, school families, staff members and community. The 2026 REB Awards for Distinguished Educational Leadership are a chance to recognize their dedication and hard work in a public, tangible way. The awards, established by the REB Foundation and Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond, honor outstanding principals across the Richmond area every year. Nominations must be submitted online by Nov. 6 at 5 p.m.
Students, families, staff members and interested members of the community are invited to nominate a principal who has gone above and beyond to create an exceptional educational environment. The honorees will receive $20,000 to be used for school initiatives as well as an unrestricted $10,000 cash grant. The runner-up will also receive $10,000 for use toward school projects. Principals from Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties and the City of Richmond are eligible, and one nominee from each school division will be honored. Principals may not nominate themselves. Associate and assistant principals are not eligible for the award.
Last year’s HCPS winner was Arainau “Rainy” Neal, principal of Maude Trevvett Elementary School. Neal used her award funds to enhance the school’s “house” system, including paying for a schoolwide app; staff training; a themed hallway mural for each of the school’s six houses; communication tools; and an ambassador program to welcome new students, especially those who are learning English.
Susan Proffitt, principal of Holman Middle School, was runner-up for the award. She received a $10,000 grant to establish the Huskie CARE Camp for multilingual learners at Holman.
The Community Foundation is seeking nominations of candidates who:
• Have served as principal of their school for at least three years.
• Effectively manage and promote excellence in education.
• Demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment.
• Inspire their students and are advocates for their school and faculty.
• Encourage team spirit.
• Foster cooperation between the school and the community.
• Maintain dialogue with students, parents, faculty and staff.
To find out more and to nominate a principal, go to https://www.cfrichmond.org/receive/scholars-educators/educators/leadership. Nominations must be submitted via the website by Nov. 6 at 5 p.m. Hard copies or nominations submitted via email or fax will not be accepted.
As part of their application, nominators should upload a one- to two-page letter describing the nominee’s distinguished educational leadership. Nominators may also upload as many as three one-page letters of support. Award recipients will be announced in March 2026.
For questions about nominations, please contact Tracie Weston, director of HCPS’ Department of Professional Learning and Leadership, at taweston@henrico.k12.va.us.