IHS principal 1 of 9 honored statewide | Palatka Daily News, Palatka, Florida

Interlachen High School Principal Bryan Helms, left, and IHS senior Reva Godbolt were honored at the Putnam County School District board meeting Tuesday.
IHS Principal Bryan Helms, IHS senior Reva Godbolt, Superintendent Rick Surrency and Florida TaxWatch Senior Vice President of Research Bob Nave.
Positively Putnam FL

Interlachen High School’s principal is one of three Florida high school principals to receive a leadership award from a prestigious independent nonprofit finance watchdog.

FloridaTaxWatch awarded Bryan Helms the Principal Leadership Award, which is given to principals who have a major impact on student achievement. Helms and IHS senior Reva Godbolt were honored by the Putnam County School District at Tuesday’s board meeting.

The award allowed Helms to present the Florida Prepaid College Foundation scholarship to Godbolt, which will cover her first two years of college. He said it is a blessing to give a substantial scholarship to such an outstanding worker and student.

Godbolt, the IHS class president, plans to attend Warner University to play beach volleyball and study sports leadership.

“She was one of those kids that when I was able to do it, I was like, ‘Yep, that’s who I want to select,’” Helms said.

Superintendent Rick Surrency said Florida TaxWatch doesn’t accept nominations for the award, which it gives to three elementary, middle and high school principals across the state. However, the group looks at the financial condition of schools and analyzes student performance over several years.

“They look at how well they are serving those students compared to the actual outcomes,” Surrency said. “I think (Helms’ recognition) speaks well for Putnam County.”

Florida Prepaid College Foundation Director Cindy O’Connell said principals can shape students’ educational experiences, provide them with opportunities for success and mold them into future leaders.

“We look forward to helping these nine students realize their potential and we thank Florida TaxWatch for its commitment to highlighting the good works of these public servants and unyielding dedication to education in Florida,” O’Connell said in a press release.

Helms, who has been IHS’ principal for five years, said he may have received the award, but it was the high school’s and district’s efforts that made it all possible.

“It’s not just me, by any means,” Helms said.

Assistant Superintendent of Support Services Thomas Bolling won the award in 2014 when he was Interlachen High’s principal.

“It’s something about Interlachen High School, I guess,” Surrency said.