ORANGE PARK – Christine Howell’s jaw dropped, and her eyes welled with tears when Chick-fil-A operator Craig Phillips started talking about the incredible accomplishments achieved by Orange Park High’s Chick-fil-A Leader Academy.

He talked about her tenacity and compassion. He spoke of programs that make a difference in the community. He laughed when he said Howell constantly emails and calls him about grant applications to support the leadership development program.

Howell has helped students re-imagine leadership roles to significantly impact the school and the county for the past 10 years. Chick-fil-A determined it was time to show its appreciation by selecting her as one of 10 national Facilitator Honorees.

With more than 1,200 schools in the program, it’s not a designation the international fast food chain took lightly.

Howell will be honored with other recipients in Atlanta on March 13-15.

“It’s all about leadership and working through problems and, you know, growing as an individual,” she said.

Howell said her students have created a food and clothing pantry called OP Outfitters that’s benefited more than 2,000 people. They’ve also partnered with the Ronald McDonald House and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office to make “blessing bags” for the homeless and Rethreaded that empower and support survivors of human trafficking.

“Her footprints are all over the place,” Phillips said. “Everybody here knows Mrs. Howell and her personality. I met her 10 years ago when we started Chick-fil-A Leader Academy at Fletcher High. Typically, people are a little more mild-mannered. That’s not how she came out of the gate. She said, ‘Hi, I’m Christine. I’m running the program in Orange Park.’ Man, how time flies after 10 years.”

According to the program, Leader Academy helps students learn values, communications, teamwork, and innovation so they can understand what it means to be a servant leader.

Howell also got her students to establish Tad’s Toys in memory of a student who died 15 years ago.

Teacher of the Year Olivia Youhas was at the reception. She was in Howell’s first Leader Academy class.

“How exciting that one of the very first members is now our Orange Park High School Teacher of the Year,” Howell said. “How exciting is that?”

Principal Ivin Gunder initially said he didn’t believe the news when Chick-fil-A called a week earlier about the honor. He also was one of a handful who knew about the announcement in advance.

“It’s amazing for our community and our school,” Gunder said. “That’s what teaching is all about. She has a heart for the students. We were excited for her to represent the state, but now the nation. That’s amazing.”

Orange Park High was one of first seven schools to join the Leader Academy.

According to Chick-fil-A, more than 200,000 students have been part of the Leader Academy, and they’ve served more than 2.5 million people whom high school students have directly impacted.