[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 177 (Tuesday, December 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1725-E1726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING PRINCIPAL STEVE HOPE FOR THE 2015 INDIANA PRINCIPAL OF THE 
                                  YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE WALORSKI

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2015

  Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Principal Steve 
Hope of Penn High School for being named the 2015 Indiana High School 
Principal of the Year. His success in providing high-quality learning 
opportunities for students at Penn is nothing short of remarkable.
   Every year, the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) 
recognizes outstanding principals who have succeeded in providing high-
quality learning opportunities for students. Recipients are chosen 
based on their performance in showing leadership at the building level, 
at the district and community level, and at the state level. Every one 
of us depends on our teachers, and because of that, they deserve our 
support and appreciation.
   For nearly 20 years, Principal Hope has been contributing to the 
betterment of Indiana education. Since he became the principal of Penn 
High School in 2008, Indiana's Department of Education has named Penn 
an A-rated school and a 4-Star Award winner. U.S. News and World Report 
also named Penn an Outstanding High School in 2009 and 2015. Because of 
leaders like Principal Hope, Hoosier classrooms are filled with future 
doctors, scientists, and entrepreneurs.
   Principal Hope's efforts have been instrumental in advancing 
Indiana's education system. In 2010, he initiated the reorganization of 
Penn from a traditional high school to personalized approach through a 
$1.7 million dollar

[[Page E1726]]

federal grant. This program begins with the Freshman Academy, which 
helps middle school students acclimate to high school, and offers six 
other academies which support college and career readiness. This 
includes Fine Arts & Communications, Management & Business, Health and 
Human Services, STEM, World Languages, and the Early College Academy. 
Contributions like these would not be possible without the efforts of 
passionate educators like Principal Hope.
   This smaller learning community structure is successful because of 
Principal Hope's dedication to both the students and the teachers. As a 
leader, he sees that students excel when they are taught by highly 
engaged and trained teachers and staff. Because of this, Principal 
Hope's vision also focuses on professional development for teachers. 
Quite simply, his work is bettering the lives of Hoosiers.
   I want to take this opportunity to once again thank Principal Hope 
for helping students and teachers at Penn develop their talents and 
become our future leaders. On behalf of myself and my fellow Hoosiers, 
I congratulate him on receiving this prestigious award.

                          ____________________