Kennon Evans, principal of Dr. Sally K. Ride Elementary School, has received this year's Mark Mann Excellence and Harmony Award, which is given to one local school administrator each year. He was recognized for his efforts to encourage academic excellence, positive human relations, and a sense of community.

Evans was presented with the Mann Award, now in its 13th year, at a September 30 principals meeting and also was recognized at the October 14 meeting of the Board of Education. He has been principal of Sally Ride Elementary School since 1992. Prior to that, he served as principal of Cresthaven Elementary School from 1983-1992.

Under Evans' leadership, students and staff are encouraged to strive toward excellence. Evans also is known for his talent for meeting the needs of all students and for approaching his staff with the same fairness and compassion. Sally Ride is home to five special education classrooms. Since the opening of the school, Evans has incorporated an inclusive philosophy, hiring staff who would encourage the success of these children and include them willingly in their classrooms.

Evans also was recognized for helping bring together a community whose students often had attended several schools due to boundary changes. The opening of Sally Ride 11 years ago, first in a newly built middle school (due to federally protected wetlands discovered on the elementary school site), then transferring students and staff to their final destination two years later, brought numerous administrative challenges. Evans worked with the community to unite them in facing the challenges the school encountered. Community outreach still remains an important part of Evans' work, with the community kept informed through frequent newsletters and parent information evenings.