"Hurley! Hurley! Hurley!"

The chant filled the Barrington High School gymnasium as students and teachers awaited the arrival of their principal, Joseph Hurley, during a special, surprise event on Thursday morning.

The students and staff members had learned only a few minutes earlier that Mr. Hurley had been selected as the 2018 Secondary School Principal of the Year by the Rhode Island Association of School Principals. 

Mr. Hurley had been called to a fake meeting off-campus while students and staff made their way from their classrooms into the large gym. After a short wait, word arrived that Mr. Hurley was back at the school and was headed to the gym.

The "Hurley! Hurley! Hurley!" chant broke into screams and cheers as Mr. Hurley entered the gym. The longtime administrator appeared quite surprised by the scene and paused for a moment to scan his surroundings.

"I work with some very sneaky people," Mr. Hurley said, later in the presentation. "This was a surprise."

The celebration allowed a number of people the opportunity to heap praise on the Barrington High School principal.

Don Rebello, of the Rhode Island Association of School Principals, said he was honored to share the award with Mr. Hurley. 

"He is a truly effective and inspirational leader," said Mr. Rebello, adding that Mr. Hurley will now compete for the national principal of the year award.

Barrington High School Assistant Principal Nicole Varone praised Mr. Hurley for his work. She said that it seems Mr. Hurley lives at the high school as he spends so much time there. Ms. Varone also offered a number of reasons why Mr. Hurley is so special — she said he is dedicated to students and teachers in the district; he is always thinking about what's best for the students and the rest of the community; he is calm and collected and leads with ease and grace.

"And he's humble," Ms. Varone said.

The assistant principal said Mr. Hurley has served as an inspiration to her.

BHS science teacher Diana Siliezar-Shields also shared kind words for Mr. Hurley and heartfelt congratulations for winning the award, and local legislators Rep. Joy Hearn and Sen. Cindy Coyne presented the local principal with special commendations from the general assembly. 

Barrington High School senior and student representative to the school committee Chris Sarli shared a short speech praising his principal, and Kate Brody, chairwoman of the school committee, congratulated Mr. Hurley. She also shared an interesting fact with the students packed into the BHS gymnasium: Ms. Brody said the students in the Class of 2018 were actually fourth-graders when Mr. Hurley was hired as Barrington High School Principal. 

Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore told the crowd that he and Mr. Hurley have known each other for decades, and in that time he has learned that the BHS principal is a big reason for the positive, caring culture shared among students and staff at the high school. 

"It starts at the top," said Mr. Messore. 

Eventually, Mr. Hurley approached the microphone and quickly shared the award with everyone else in the district — students, staff, fellow administrators, and parents of students.  

"I am getting this award because of everybody who's here today," said Mr. Hurley. 

Following the celebration, Mr. Hurley had the opportunity to reflect on what he felt was his greatest accomplishment at Barrington High School. Was it the national blue ribbon award or the other academic accolades and achievements?

Mr. Hurley said those matter, but he is actually most proud of the culture at the school, where students and teachers care for each other. 

He said BHS is not perfect, but the positive, accepting culture is a constant.

Then, as he often does, Mr. Hurley praised the work of others.

"You can't do this on your own," he said. "It's a team effort."