Written by: What’s Up Prince William

Two administrators from a Dale City school have been recognized by a statewide organization.

The Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals (VAESP) honored Minnieville Elementary School Principal Nathaniel Provencio and Assistant Principal Deborah Ellis on Thursday.

VAESP President-Elect and Principal of T. Clay Woods Elementary School in Nokesville Andrew Buchheit, Superintendent Steve Walts, School Board member Diane Raulston, and Delegate Elizabeth Guzman were among the attendees.

Provencio received the 2019 NAESP National Distinguished Principal Award for Virginia, according to a release from Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS).

Ellis was presented with the 2019 NAESP National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year Award.

“At Minnieville, our vision states that we ‘Soar for Excellence’ and we do everything we can to live up to this standard,” Provencio said in a release. “We have phenomenal teachers, families, and students! Being a part of this outstanding school culture is truly amazing. I am so honored to be named the Virginia National Principal of the Year, but even more honored to share this recognition with our outstanding Assistant Principal Deborah Ellis, who also won the Virginia Outstanding Assistant Principal of the year.”

Both administrators began working at Minnieville Elementary nine years ago.

Ellis, a former assistant principal for West Gate Elementary School in Manassas, received her bachelor’s from Bennett College in North Carolina. She gained her master’s from Trinity University in Washington, DC.

Provencio was an assistant principal at Bel Air Elementary School in Dale City and McAuliffe Elementary School in Dale City. He earned his bachelor’s from the University of North Alabama and his master’s from George Mason University.