On September 15, 2009, the 2009 National Blue Ribbon Schools were announced by United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan. A ceremony was held in Washington, D.C. on November 2-3, in which 314 public and private schools were honored. Attending the ceremony from Brownwood High School were Principal Bill Faircloth and Teacher, Joanna Young. BHS received a plaque and a flag to signify their Blue Ribbon School status.

On Monday, January 25, a ceremony was held for Texas Blue Ribbon Schools at the Texas Association of School Administrators Annual Conference in Austin. Twenty-six Texas schools received the Blue Ribbon Award. Brownwood High School was one of only two public high schools in the state to receive this honor.

Present at the awards ceremony in Austin were State Representative Jim Keffer, Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott, BISD Superintendent Dr. Reece Blincoe, High School Principal Bill Faircloth, BHS Assistant Principal Andy Gill, BHS Career and Technology Director Sandra Richardson, Accelerated High School Principal David McCullough, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Liesa Land, BHS Assistant Principal Mitch Moore, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Gabaree, and State Board of
Education Chair Gail Lowe.

Brownwood High School Principal, Bill Faircloth said, “I consider it my privilege to represent the teachers and the students of BHS. Our teachers are doing a wonderful job teaching and helping all of our students develop into fine young men and women.”  Superintendent, Dr. Reece Blincoe said, “It is an honor, and perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity, to be a part of a high school which has received a Blue Ribbon designation.  I am very proud of our teachers and students who have worked so hard to receive this award.”

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels.

Photo Caption: Representative Jim Keffer, Commissioner Robert Scott, Dr. Reece Blincoe, Bill Faircloth, Andy Gill, Sandra Richardson, David McCullough, Liesa Land, Mitch Moore, Kevin Gabaree, and State Board of Education Chair Gail Lowe.