Cathy Rumley, principal of New Hope Elementary School, has been selected as Orange County Schools' 2009 Wachovia Principal of the Year.

She has been the principal at New Hope since 2006 and has more than 30 years of service in the field of education.

The Principal of the Year program is sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, The Center for School Leadership Development Principals' Executive Program and the Wachovia Corporation.

"I am truly honored to have been selected as Orange County's Principal of the Year," Rumley said. "This certainly could never have been possible without the support of my outstanding New Hope staff and students, as well as some of the most dedicated parents I have ever had the opportunity to work with anywhere. I am truly fortunate to be in a place where student learning is a very serious mission and where everyone works together to try to do what is best for our students."

The award was presented to Rumley during a surprise visit by Orange County Schools Superintendent Patrick Rhodes and district staff who brought her flowers and balloons to celebrate the occasion. During a tour of the school, Rumley was congratulated by a throng of students and staff members who cheered and showered her with paper confetti.

"Orange County Schools is indeed fortunate to have Ms. Rumley as one of our principals," Rhodes said. "She has earned the respect and admiration of the students, staff and peers, as well as the Orange County community that she serves. She has done an outstanding job of increasing student achievement, building morale and reaching out to her community."

Rumley began her career in education as a visual arts teacher at C. W. Stanford Middle School, before moving to the Alamance-Burlington School System. Before returning to Orange County, she worked with students as a visual arts teacher, high school and elementary school assistant principal and most recently as principal. In 2006, she returned to Orange County Schools as the principal of New Hope Elementary School.

Rumley earned her bachelor's degree in art education from UNC and her master's degree in educational leadership from UNC Greensboro. She has also received further certification in literacy, technology and educational leadership.

This is the 25th year the Wachovia Corporation has sponsored the Principal of the Year award.

Rumley now moves on to compete with other local award recipients from the Central Region of the state. Regional award recipients will be selected by February 2009, and the state Wachovia Principal of the Year will be announced in April 2009 at a state luncheon in Raleigh.