Wyoming Association of Secondary School Principals

The 2026 NASSP Advocacy Champion of the Year is Chase Christensen, the principal and superintendent of Sheridan County School District 3 in Clearmont, WY!

Christensen was announced as the winner at the National Education Leadership Awards gala in Washington, D.C., on April 17, 2026.

In 2025, Christensen was also selected as Wyoming’s Principal of the Year.

As Wyoming state coordinator, Christensen led the Wyoming Principal Apprenticeship Program to help address the administrator shortage. He unites districts through regional advocacy efforts, writes a weekly column for the local paper, and mobilizes school leaders to engage with legislators. He regularly hosts lawmakers at a local high school, presents at the Wyoming Principal Leadership Academy, and represents Wyoming in Washington, D.C., including at NASSP advocacy conferences.

Throughout his work, he elevates student voice by advancing workforce development, career readiness, and civic engagement initiatives.

Big things continue to happen for Wyoming’s school leaders.

Members of the Wyoming Association of Secondary School Principals were actively engaged in the recent 307 Principal Leadership Academy mentor training held in Casper and Riverton. Their presence reflects a strong commitment to developing the next generation of school leadership across our state.

The 307PLA represents a powerful partnership between WASSP, the Wyoming Department of Education, and the University of Wyoming. Together, we are investing in high quality mentorship grounded in the 10 core competencies of leadership, including trust, communication, credibility, and professional balance.

When organizations align around a shared vision for leadership development, the impact extends far beyond the training room. By strengthening principals, we strengthen schools. By strengthening schools, we better support teachers and students in every Wyoming community.

We are proud to stand alongside WDE and UW in this important work.

Dr. Karen Delbridge of Cheyenne Central High School! She has been named the Secondary Principal of the Year by the Wyoming Association of Secondary School Principals!

“Karen Delbridge has been recognized as Wyoming’s Secondary Principal of the Year for her outstanding leadership and commitment to fostering a positive and unified school culture. Under her guidance, Central High School’s “One Tribe” initiative has strengthened connections among students and staff, creating a supportive environment where students and staff feel valued. Principal Delbridge has also led significant efforts to elevate academic achievement, reflected in Central High School’s continued growth on the Wyoming Department of Education’s School Performance Report," said Jeff Makelky, WASSP Executive Director.