The Outstanding School-based Leader award for Region 2 was given to McLean’s very own Bernard ‘Buddy’ Sekely. He demonstrated outstanding leadership in our school, strengthened and improved the working and learning environment and contributed to the FCPS Strategic Plan. 

“[The award] means a lot,” Sekely said. “I had no idea I was put in for that until it was announced back at a faculty meeting.” 

The process of winning the award was a long one. First, Sekely was nominated, which included his letter of nomination, a letter of support from McLean’s former assistant principal Jamie Lane and a letter from a former student and the student’s parents. 

Next, the nomination packet went to the Region 2 Pyramid. The Pyramid reviewed the packet and as a result, the packet was sent to the Region. The group of executive principals continued with the same process of reviewing the nomination and the packet. Sekely was the executive principals’ top pick, which earned him the Outstanding School-based Leader of Region 2 award. 

“[After winning the region award] I came to work and did my job, that’s pretty much it,” Sekely said. “So I’ll probably celebrate if I luck out and win the next level because that’s the top.”

Even after his win, Sekely is still in the running for the overall award against the four other region finalists. The winner will be announced on June 12.