Boston, June 1, 2004 (also appears as “In the News” in Bay State Banner, June 3, 2004)

Albert Holland, finishing his third year as headmaster at Boston’s Health Careers Academy (HCa), will receive the prestigious Ambassadors in Education Award from the MetLife Foundation on Tuesday, June 1, at 6:00 pm at Northeastern University’s Curry Student Center Ballroom.

Mr. Holland expressed shock when the foundation called to inform him of the honor. “My staff nominated me without my knowledge. I was unaware of it,” Holland recalled. “They kept the secret from me.”

The national award recognizes 15 public school principals in the middle grades and higher “who are making extraordinary efforts to strengthen their schools and communities.” According to MetLife spokesperson Veronica Sepsey, “Each of the winning principals will receive a $5,000 grant for his or her school to continue community work and relationship-building projects.”

Mr. Holland saw a need to reach out to the community as soon as he took the headmaster’s position in 2001 at Health Careers Academy, a Horace Mann Charter School located on the Fenway on the campus of Northeastern. Among other innovations during his tenure is an Annual Health Fair coordinated by HCa, in which over 5,000 Boston residents have free health screenings and benefit from informational services. The fair is capped by a walkathon by HCa students to benefit the Greater Boston Sickle Cell Support Group. He also developed the “To Your Health Jazzfest,” where local musicians with community partners and businesses sponsor a night of music to benefit HCa students.

“We try to emphasize community service,” said Holland a few hours before the award ceremony. “We place kids in community internships in the summer and during the

Health Careers Academy Headmaster Albert Holland, winner of Ambassadors in Education Award.

school year. Some work in hospitals, and others work with state house representatives so they can learn about health issues. We’re giving our kids good opportunities to learn.”

Students and faculty teamed up after school to write letters of nomination to the MetLife Foundation, while State Senator Diane Wilkerson and State Representative Gloria Fox wrote supporting letters. “Al’s commitment and good work have been no secret in the school community,” said Dawn Lewis, co-director of the Boston Pilot/Horace Mann Schools Network at the Center for Collaborative Education. “He has been a community leader and developed students’ awareness that they are valuable members of this city.”

“Principals are key to establishing a culture of caring and community involvement in their schools,” said Sibyl Jacobson, MetLife Foundation president and CEO. “Their leadership in reaching out to their students’ neighborhoods sets an important example for students, teachers and staff.”