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May 1 was more than just the first day of a new month, it marked National Principal’s Day and one East Brewton school took the opportunity to throw a surprise party for their leader.
W.S. Neal Middle School Principal Perry Updike got a happy shock after school dismissed on Wednesday when she walked into a surprise celebration in her honor.
Logan Cook, a teacher at the school, had been working on the surprise for weeks to make the day special for the much-loved principal.
“We are so incredibly grateful for our principal,” Cook said. “For the past few weeks, I have been working on this surprise ceremony to honor her.”
Cook managed to keep the surprise under wraps as he went about contacting local and state officials in securing resolutions and commendations for Updike.
On hand for the presentation of a resolution in Updike’s honor was State Rep. Matthew Hammett. The presentation was of the resolution created by Hammett and Rep. Alan Baker.
Also prsented to Updike during the event were proclamations from the City of East Brewton and Gov. Kay Ivey. A key to the City of East Brewton was also presented. Congressman Jerry Carl sent a certified copy of the congressional record where Updike was honor in the U.S. Congress. Senator Tommy Tuberville sent a flag that has been flown in Mrs. Updike’s honor at the U.S. Capitol Building.
State Schoool Board member Jackie Zeigler and Dean Joyce Alexander from the University of Alabama’s College of Education also sent messages of gratitude for Updike’s hard work as princpal.