Henrico's Nuckols Farm Elementary School celebrated its new National Blue Ribbon School status Sept. 20 with a student body assembly, music, and visits from Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) leaders as well as representatives from Senator Mark Warner's office and the U.S. Dept. of Education.

Showing off the Blue Ribbon certificate at a reception following the ceremony [above] were Dr. Patrick Russo, HCPS superintendent; Deborah Delisle, assistant secretary, U.S. Dept. of Education; and Mary Cox, NFES principal.

Among the fifth-graders participating in the ceremony were David Lim, Kayla Walters, and Emma Connelly, who performed introductions, made remarks and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The fifth grade chorus also performed the song "Agents of Change" [inset].

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private K-12 schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. The U.S. Department of Education will honor all of the nation’s 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools during a conference and awards ceremony Nov. 12-13 in Washington, DC.