A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DR. TRACIE ANDERSON SWILLEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY ON BEING NAMED 2025 NATIONAL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR AND COMMEND HER FOR HER MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AND OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

 

Whereas, Tracie Anderson Swilley, principal of Fairfield Central High School in Winnsboro, has been named 2025 National Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals

(NASSP); and

 

Whereas, originally from the Midlands, Ms. Swilley found her passion for education while studying at Columbia College, where a mathematics professor encouraged her to shift her focus from biomedical engineering to teaching. She became a certified secondary-level teacher before stepping into her principal role in 2013; and

 

Whereas, starting as a math educator at Richland Northeast High School, she advanced her leadership skills through a master's degree in education administration at the University of South Carolina, which provided the foundation for her administrative journey; and

 

Whereas, Dr. Swilley has served as principal of Fairfield Central High School for twelve years. She has dedicated her career to fostering collaboration, empowering students, and driving academic excellence; and

 

Whereas, under her visionary leadership and tireless dedication, Fairfield Central has seen improved test scores in math and reading and a graduation rate of ninety percent. In the last school year, the school received an overall "good" rating on its report card from the state for the first time in its

thirty-seven-year history, a testament to her philosophy that success comes from collective effort and student ownership; and

 

Whereas, at a young age, Dr. Swilley's parents instilled in her the importance of higher education. In her role as principal, she has tried to emphasize that importance to her students as well, by creating a culture of expectation in her school. She makes sure her students understand the goal of excellence that is expected of them and how to get there; and

 

Whereas, she believes a strong school community should be built on active engagement and alliance. She advocates open communication between home and school as essential for student success; and

 

Whereas, Dr. Swilley has received many accolades for her outstanding tutelage. She is committed to advancing educational and social outcomes for those around her and is a longtime member of several professional organizations, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; and

 

Whereas, she resides in Columbia and is a devoted and loving mother of two children, Jalen and Peyton, whom she adores dearly; and

 

Whereas, it is entirely appropriate for the South Carolina Senate to pause in its deliberations to honor Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley, who was named 2025 National Principal of the Year by the NASSP. She has consistently gone above and beyond to provide her students the opportunity to live complete and successful lives as future leaders of their communities. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley of Richland County on being named 2025 National Principal of the Year and commend her for her many years of dedicated service and outstanding contributions to education in South Carolina.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley.

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