Make room for another award on Harrison Elementary School Principal Randy Polston's mantel.
Polston learned this week that he was named the Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of Student Councils.
Dan Graney, Harrison Elementary sixth-grade teacher and student council advisor, nominated Polston for the honor."I'm blessed, truly blessed to be working with professionals like Dan and the teachers we have here," said Polston during an interview Thursday afternoon.
Polston said that when Graney approached him six years ago about having a student council at Harrison, it didn't take him long to get on board. To watch the students take on these leadership roles under Graney's guidance, he said, has been great.
It reminds him, he said, of the Whitney Houston song "Greatest Love of All." The lyrics include, "I believe that children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way."
That's what student council is all about, molding children into future leaders and community members, he said.
One of the highlights of the year for Polston is meeting with the student leaders and hearing their ideas for activities for the year. It's a formal setting, and the students use good etiquette and follow parliamentary procedure as they present their ideas to Polston.
"I try not to make the decisions for them," Polston said. Instead, he helps guide them on the pros and cons of their ideas.
Student council teaches the kids to lead. Polston asked how a principal could not get behind that.
Harrison has had a student council for five years, and has been an honor council every year, Graney said. He said he nominated Polston for the award because of Polston's support for him and the student council.
Graney has been a part of the IASC for about 12 years, he said. His involvement in it has increased every year.
Each year, there is an opportunity to nominate an administrator for Principal of the Year. The award is for the administrator that supports the advisor and student leadership and gets behind the student council opportunities. Graney said it was a no-brainer for him to nominate Polston.
"I just thought it was time to nominate Randy," Graney said.
Currently, the Harrison Elementary student council has 38 members in fourth through sixth grades.
Polston will travel to Indianapolis April 14 to receive his award.
