&bsp;&dquo;Our schools and administration are extremely proud of Principal Dill and we know she will represent our system and the region well,&dquo; says Bill Miller, Superintendent of Polk County Schools. &dquo;She is a tremendous school administrator and educator who works to create the very best educational experience for her staff and students.&dquo;

Mrs. Dill has been the principal at Saluda Elementary School since 2005 and has 18 years of distinguished service in the field of education. Upon being notified of the regional award, Principal Dill said that she was extremely excited and flattered to be chosen as the Wachovia NC POY for the Western Region. &bsp;

&dquo;I consider it a privilege to work with the professional educators of Polk County,&dquo; says Principal Dill. &dquo;To be selected as the county&squo;s Principal of the Year is an incredible honor. &bsp;I would like to commend the Saluda Elementary School community (faculty, staff, students, parents and community members) for their support and dedication to the education of our young people. &bsp;I am thankful to be part of such a supportive and dedicated team.&dquo;

Principal Dill completed an extensive written portfolio and interviews during the regional level of the POY program. Her portfolio will now be reviewed by the state review team, which will also visit the Saluda Elementary School campus, along with the other regional winners&squo; campuses, beginning in February. Following these visits and interviews, a state POY is chosen and will be announced at a luncheon in April in Raleigh.

The Wachovia Principal of the Year Award was introduced in 1984 to recognize outstanding leadership in North Carolina&squo;s schools and the role of the principal in establishing an environment conducive to the pursuit and achievement of academic excellence. &bsp;Wachovia sponsors the award in conjunction with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and the Chapel Hill-based Principals&squo; Executive Program.&bsp;&bsp;