Principal wins prestigious scholarship

Sunset High School Principal David Lee recently was named one of the 2025 recipients of the Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship from the Texas Association School Administrators to pursue a doctorate in educational leadership and policy in The University of Texas at Austin’s Cooperative Superintendency Program.

Lee was selected from among a pool of applicants by the TASA Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship Committee, a group of Texas school superintendents and other public school district administrators.

He will receive a $2,500 scholarship and will be recognized during the 2025 TASA Midwinter Conference that will be held in Austin at the end of January.

“My journey as an educator and leader in Dallas ISD has been both challenging and rewarding, reinforcing my belief in the transformative power of education and the pivotal role leadership plays in shaping the future of our students,” Lee wrote in his application. “As a superintendent, I am eager to further hone and apply my leadership skills to realize my vision of inspiring and creating systems where every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to excel. As a superintendent, I look forward to contributing meaningfully to the field of education at the district level.”

The scholarship recognizes the leadership of Dr. Johnny L. Veselka, who dedicated nearly 44 years of service to the association, including 32 years as TASA’s executive director. The program is facilitated by TASA with the support of its 2024-2025 sponsor, PBK.