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By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer

Stewart Middle School Principal Debra Robertson is a nominee for a Principal of the Year Award set to be awarded Saturday at an event in Grapevine.

"The Gala" is presented by the Hazel Harvey Peace Scholarship Fund in partnership with The W.A.G. (We are Graduating) Program.

Ms. Robertson is a nominee along with a principal at I.M. Terrell Elementary School in Fort Worth and principal of E.D. Walker Middle School in Dallas.

"The Gala" will take place at The Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine.

"I'm honored to be nominated but I want to be worthy of it," Ms. Robertson said. "I feel like I'm working toward excellence on my campus. I'm honored that someone took the time to notice that I care."

Brenda Sanders-Wise, a consultant and fundraiser for the scholarship fund, said "The Gala" award nominees are nominated by their peers, students and teachers.

Other awards given at the black-tie event include teacher of the year, superintendent of the year and difference maker of the year. Award winners receive a plaque.

Ms. Robertson's school participates in the W.A.G. program, which is a part of the Hazel Harvey Peace Scholarship Fund.

The W.A.G. program is an educational outreach program comprised of thousands of fifth through eighth grade students, primarily in Central and East Texas, who are committed to excelling in education and graduating from high school, according to its Web site, www.wagprogram.com. The program provides participating students with training classes, scholarships and trips.

Ms. Robertson said that about 65 to 70 students from Stewart who are a part of the W.A.G. program will attend the gala Saturday. W.A.G. is paying for charter buses to transport them and for the students to rent formal wear. One adult can accompany each child.

Students have been participating in online etiquette classes, which is part of the W.A.G. program, in anticipation of the big event, officials said. They have been taking the etiquette courses with their parents.

"It really becomes a parent and child activity and not so much a school activity," Ms. Robertson said. "The WAG program is trying very hard to get parents to lead in their child's education."

Some of the concepts the program teaches include community service, saying "yes ma'am and no ma'am," and helping the elderly, Ms. Robertson said. They also have the chance to listen to motivational speakers, Ms. Robertson said.

Nickelodeon star Lil' JJ visited Stewart Middle School in late January as part of the Hazel Harvey Peace Scholarship Fund Education Awareness Tour.

"It's about motivating students and finding a way to get them to be more committed to success," Ms. Robertson said. "They want to expose them to things to motivate them to be successful.

"I see the value in anything that's going to motivate parents to take the lead in their child's education and anything that's going to motivate students to appreciate education," she said.

This is Ms. Robertson's second year as principal at Stewart. She previously was an assistant principal at Boulter Middle School. She has been in education for 28 years.

She also will attend Saturday's event. This is the first year of "The Gala."