OKEECHOBEE — Okeechobee native and Assistant Principal of the Okeechobee Freshman Campus Ashley Kidd probably doesn’t fit the stereotypical image that immediately comes to mind when you try to picture a high school assistant principal. Youthful, approachable, and easy to talk to, it’s easy to see how students not only respect her but admire and look to her for guidance as well.

Ashley graduated from Okeechobee High School as salutatorian in 2009. She went on to get her bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University as well as attending Indian River State College for an AA degree in psychology. Ashley explains that more than anything she just wants to help people and that she figured the best way to do that begins in childhood. So she applied to the Okeechobee County School board in 2015 and began her career as a special education teacher at Okeechobee High School and after six years, took a position as the OHS guidance counselor for the class of 2023.

Recently Ashley was invited to Tallahassee where she was honored with the Excellence in Education Award as part of the state of Florida’s Celebration of Black History Month and the award was presented to her by Governor Ron DeSantis. This year’s theme was Honoring African American Contributions to Florida’s Success. Ashely believes that Black History Month is important because “it highlights African American Leaders and also it tells the story of resiliency and their strength to endure many challenges, past and present. They’ve made many contributions to the success of Florida.’

There’s no doubt that Ashley herself is already making contributions to the success of Florida by setting an example and being a strong role model to the community of Okeechobee.

When asked if she had any advice for the young people of Okeechobee Ashley quoted her favorite author Ryan Leak, “Chasing failure took me further than success ever did.” Ashley says, “As a people we try to escape failure or mistakes and disappointment but honestly those are the main things that make you great. So that is my advice to students. If you make a mistake recognize it and keep moving forward.”