~ During a recent Harrison School District 2 Board of Education meeting, Mayor Yemi Mobolade presented Superintendent Dr. Wendy Birhanzel with the prestigious Mayor's Spirit of Colorado Springs Inspiration Award. This award recognizes Dr. Birhanzel's unwavering dedication to public education and her commitment to students and families in Colorado Springs.

In a surprise presentation, Mayor Mobolade praised Dr. Birhanzel for her enduring leadership and her efforts to put students at the center of everything she does. He stated that her legacy will be measured by the students who have been inspired and the educators who have been empowered because of her belief in them. He also noted that Colorado Springs is a better place because of her service.

Dr. Birhanzel has spent nearly three decades in the field of public education, with seventeen years dedicated to serving Harrison School District 2. Under her leadership, students in the district have gained greater access to opportunities such as college and technology programs, athletics and activities, tutoring, and before- and after-school care. She has also worked closely with community partners to address the needs of students and families beyond the classroom.

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Her exceptional leadership has not gone unnoticed, as she has received both state and national recognition for her contributions to education. In 2023, she was named Colorado's Superintendent of the Year, and in 2025 she received the American Association of School Administrators' Women in School Leadership Award in the Superintendent category.

The presentation on Thursday also marked a special connection between Dr. Birhanzel and Mayor Mobolade that dates back over a decade. Both were recipients of the inaugural class of Mayor's Young Leader Awards in 2015.

Michelle Wills-Hill, president of the Harrison School District 2 Board of Education, also spoke highly of Dr. Birhanzel's leadership style during Thursday's recognition ceremony. She praised her for always putting students first and building strong relationships within the district and the community. Wills-Hill also noted that Dr. Birhanzel's efforts to remove barriers and create opportunities for students and families have made a significant difference in the district and across Colorado Springs.

The Mayor's Spirit of the Springs awards are given to individuals and organizations that exemplify the spirit of Colorado Springs through their leadership and service to the community. Dr. Birhanzel's dedication to public education and her commitment to students make her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

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