In a touching moment of mutual love and appreciation, the principal of Ellison High School walked into the band hall Friday to a raucous standing ovation, mostly from students.
Cheerleaders and Emeralds dance team members formed a lane for the surprised Principal David Dominguez to walk down, and he proudly stepped into the applause and took a bow without knowing why.
About halfway into the large space of cheering band students and guests, Band Director Erik Reynolds emerged with a framed award.
The school’s 16-year principal won a Distinguished Administrator Award from the Texas Music Educators Association.
Specifically, the honor means Dominguez goes above and beyond in supporting music education on his campus.
The truth, Reynolds pointed out, is that the principal is a staunch supporter of all students and staff and is a huge proponent of extra-curricular activities, including all of the fine arts.
Associate Band Director Daniel Young, a 2018 Ellison graduate, nominated his principal for the honor, noting Dominguez’s long-time visible, consistent support, which students and staff see on a daily basis.
During football halftime shows he is the voice of the Screaming Eagles Band. He has also been known to make cameo appearances in dance shows and theater productions and was even a parent volunteer when his own sons were in band.
The TMEA dates to 1920 and is more than 14,000 Texas elementary and secondary music educators.
The organization’s Distinguished Administrator Award recognizes upper-level school administrators across the state who have been instrumental in preserving quality music education programs on their campuses and in their districts.
Superintendent Lone Finalist King Davis, Board Member Oliver Mintz and Executive Director for School Leadership Nancy Patterson all congratulated Dominguez on his proven campus leadership.
“It’s just a very humbling and kind gesture,” he said following the surprise presentation. “I’m overwhelmed. The band and fine arts and all our extra-curricular activities mean the world to me because I see them as a way for a student to make high school a really special experience in their life.”
“This outpouring of love and appreciation is really overwhelming. I’m grateful. It means a lot.”
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