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WHAT: The 2026 Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year will be announced during a luncheon honoring nine regional finalists from across the state.
WHEN: Friday, May 15, 2026
Livestream begins at noon, and the ceremony begins at 12:30 p.m. Members of the media who desire to attend in person should arrive no later than 12:45 p.m. to set up. The announcement is expected between 1:15 and 1:45 p.m.
WHERE: In person or via livestream
The Umstead Hotel, 100 Woodland Pond Dr., Cary, NC
Livestreamed on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s YouTube channel.
CONTACT: Media interested in covering the event in person should RSVP via email to communications@dpi.nc.gov.
BACKGROUND: The Wells Fargo Principal of the Year Award was introduced in 1984 to recognize the role of the principal in establishing an environment conducive to the pursuit and achievement of academic excellence in North Carolina’s schools.
The Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year will spend the 2026-27 school year traveling the state as an ambassador for the profession, with financial support from Wells Fargo and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), and will receive a number of other prizes.
The 2026 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year regional finalists are:
- Northeast: Kelly E. Flora, Nags Head Elementary School (Dare County Schools)
- Southeast: Dr. Marlow Artis, Craven Early College High School (Craven County Schools)
- North Central: Dr. Mariah Walker, Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy (Wake County Public School System)
- Sandhills: Dr. Latreicia Allen, John Griffin Middle School (Cumberland County Schools)
- Piedmont-Triad: Dr. Darrell A. Harris, Jr., Eastern Guilford High School (Guilford County Schools)
- Southwest: LaTresha Wilson, Tuckaseegee Elementary School (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools)
- Northwest: Dustin Farmer, Ashe County High School (Ashe County Schools)
- Western: Jennifer McBrayer, CHASE Middle School (Rutherford County Schools)
- Charter: Deborah Brown, The Exploris School (Raleigh, NC)
LIVESTREAM INFO: The video feed will highlight sponsors and regional finalists until the ceremony begins, when a livestream of the ceremony will play. A livestream video feed will be available on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s YouTube channel.
NCDPI will also provide a streaming feed for media distribution.
Link: https://c.streamhoster.com/embed/media/WasBNF/OvNXB9yFsYF/vjv4ZRsAUFa_5?preview=1
Embed code: Email corrie.byrd@dpi.nc.gov for an embed code that can be used on your website.
NCDPI will also utilize TVU for distribution for those networks that have such capability. The feed will be keyed. Any technical questions can be directed to Greg Grissom at PBS North Carolina at 919-549-7249 or 919-801-1206.
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