Barbara Gilchrist, who was named the Washington State Principal of the Year last year, was recognized recently by the Washington Senate for her commitment to educational excellence in Kitsap.

“When I heard about Principal Gilchrist’s numerous awards, I thought a resolution read on the Senate floor would be a good way to honor her, as well as highlight the excellence of our leadership in the Central Kitsap School District,” said Sen. Betti Sheldon, D-Bremerton, who sponsored Senate Resolution 8711. “With the assistance of her outstanding faculty, Barbara does a great job nurturing young people toward adulthood.”

Gilchrist, principal at Central Kitsap Junior High, has been an accomplished educator for 28 years. She taught in the Clover Park School District for 12 years before beginning her Kitsap career 16 years ago. She has been principal at the junior high school for the past six years.

In addition to her 2003 recognition by the Washington Middle Level Principals Association as the state principal of the year, Gilchrist was named the Olympic Regional Assistant Principal of the Year in 1997 and was honored by the Parent Teacher Association, which gave her the Golden Acorn Award for her outstanding service to the youth of Central Kitsap Junior High.

“Calm and collected, Barbara is noted for her open-door approach to running Central Kitsap, as well as her single-minded focus on making the school a great educational opportunity for the students,” Sheldon said. “It was a pleasure introducing her to my colleagues.”.