Sammy Smith, principal of DeRidder High School, has been named a 2025-26 Beauregard Parish Principal of the Year.
The Louisiana Department of Education sponsors the Excellent Educators Award Program annually to recognize the state’s most exceptional administrators. Those principals who are committed to creating an environment for student success, who demonstrate innovative leadership qualities, and who support teachers to help students achieve at their highest levels are considered for the program.
Smith has been an educator for 14 years, serving the past three as principal of DeRidder High School. He began his career as a teacher and coach at Leesville High School teaching science as well as coaching football and powerlifting. He then moved to DeQuincy High School to teach science and coach football and track. He also taught science at South Beauregard High School before being appointed as the Assistant Principal at DeRidder High School in 2020 and Assistant Principal at DeQuincy High School in 2022 before moving back to DeRidder High School to serve as principal.
During his tenure as principal, he has served as the National Association of Secondary School Principals State Coordinator (2023-present), the Louisiana Association of Principals Board of Directors (2023- present), and as the Chairperson for District 3-4A (2022-23).
To read the rest of this story, please see page two of the print edition of The DeQuincy News.
