Press Releases

Piggott received the award from J. Walter McDowell, executive in charge of Regional Corporate Financial Services for Wachovia Bank, N.A., and Phillip J. Kirk Jr., chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Education. The statewide competition has been co-sponsored by Wachovia and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction since 1984.

"Dan Piggott is an exceptional school leader who gives tirelessly of himself in his roles as principal, teacher and mentor," McDowell said. "By setting high expectations for students and staff, he has instilled a renewed sense of pride and unity within the school and surrounding community."

Piggott began his career in education in 1971 as a math teacher in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. He has served as an assistant principal at Mt. Tabor and North Forsyth high schools and as principal of Independence High School in Winston-Salem. He assumed his present position at Carver in 1993.

"Dan Piggott’s innovative approach to learning has created an environment that inspires student achievement and success," Kirk said. "Under his leadership, Carver earned exemplary status under the state’s ABCs accountability plan for the 1997-98 school year."

As Wachovia Principal of the Year, Piggott received a cash award of $3,000 for his personal use and a matching amount for his school.

Also honored at the awards ceremony in Raleigh were the five finalists: Bonita D. Bloodworth, principal of Hurley Elementary School in Salisbury; Barbara J. Mallory, principal of J. H. Rose High School in Greenville; Renne C. Newman, principal of White Oak Elementary School in Cape Carteret; G. Patrick Rhodes, principal of Orange High School in Chapel Hill; and Linda W. Stroupe, principal of Johnston Elementary School in Asheville. Each received $2,000 for personal use and a matching sum for their respective schools.

Also recognized at the awards luncheon was the 1998 Wachovia Principal of the Year, Pandora M. Bell, principal of Jesse Wharton Elementary School in Greensboro.

The Wachovia Principal of the Year program annually selects principals from school systems across the state to vie for the top principal award. Candidates are judged on a number of criteria including the demonstrated ability to improve the academic achievement of all students.