Eagerly shuffling around. Waiting for the long-anticipated moment. Applause bursting from the crowd as the leading woman approaches.

This was the environment in The View on Tuesday, May 25 at 9 a.m. when Dr. April Adams was presented with the Principal of the Year award by the Greater KCMO Principals Association (GKCMPA). This was for the way she led the school during the 2020-2021 year. Adams was told she would be meeting about the EDGE program and renaming The View. But, as she walked into the space, she was met with a crowd full of administration, counselors and staff members, as well as her father and sister on an online Zoom call.

“I am in shock,” Adams said. “I am so proud and grateful for our staff. This award belongs to them. The accomplishments that led to this award belong to the school, faculty, students and parents.”

Although Adams humbly received the award, other staff members recognized the great achievements of her leadership. A group of people nominated Adams for this award, including Assistant Principals David McDorman, Bridget Herrman, Sara Wickham and Mike Sharp, Athletic Director Jason Cahill, Counseling Department Chair Brenda Weiderholt, Counselors Alissa Samek, Mindy Beard, Trilaina McCallum and Nikki Duncan. McDorman emailed these school counselors and principals to collaborate on a document and submit Adams’ nomination for the award to the GKCMPA.

“She deserves this award for so many reasons,” McDorman said. “This entire year, she’s been amazing and an awesome leader for the building. Since last March, when the school shutdown happened, Dr. Adams was huge in the fact that she emailed our staff every day with what they needed to know with some inspiration and encouragement. She reached out to multiple students every day. She’s been an incredible leader and has been so strong throughout the pandemic, making a lot of hard decisions that helped our students and staff cope and do a good job. This award just affirms that the work she’s been doing is the right work.”

Adams plans to continue working hard and being an efficient, compassionate leader.

“I was steady and always made sure the students and staff

were okay and that learning happened,” Adams said. “We took care of people.”

This award proves that the work she has been doing is helpful and productive, and will remain so. Those who work with her consistently note her care and connections with everyone in the school and believe that any and all future impacts she makes to the school will only be good.