Westfield Principal Honored With Proclamation

WESTFIELD, NJ - The greater Westfield community is still in mourning over the loss of Westfield High School Principal Dr. Derrick Nelson, who died earlier this month after donating bone marrow to help a sick child overseas. At Tuesday's meeting of the Westfield Mayor and Council, Mayor Shelley Brindle spoke again about Nelson and read a proclamation into the record.

"I attended the wake and funeral for WHS principal Dr. Derrick Nelson. The outpouring of support, including national media attention, speaks to the genuine hero he was and the enormity of our community’s loss. Tonight we will be issuing a Proclamation to honor Dr. Nelson’s extraordinary life," Brindle said.

The complete proclamation is below:

"Town of Westfield
Westfield, New Jersey

PROCLAMATION

Dr. Derrick E. Nelson

Whereas, born on January 29, 1975 to proud and loving parents Willie and Juanita Nelson, Derrick E. Nelson dedicated his life to family, service, and education; and

Whereas, Derrick Nelson valued educational achievement and pursued its uppermost levels, graduating from St. Peter’s High School (New Brunswick) where he was a member of JROTC, and earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication from Delaware State University, a Master of Education degree in Administration and Supervision from St. Peter’s College, and a Doctorate in Education Administration from Seton Hall University; and

Whereas, Dr. Nelson began his career in marketing and communications, and while working as an account executive for a major media company, realized his true calling to become an educator; and

Whereas, in 2002, Dr. Nelson turned to the city where he was raised to begin his career in education as a teacher at Washington Elementary School in Plainfield, New Jersey; and

Whereas, after his successful tenure in Plainfield, Dr. Nelson served as the Assistant Principal to two elementary schools in Orange, New Jersey, before coming to Westfield to serve as the Assistant Principal at Roosevelt Intermediate School; and

Whereas, known for his innovation and inspiration, Dr. Nelson’s dedication to the Westfield community and student population led to his appointment as Assistant Principal of Westfield High School and later as interim Principal, ascending to Principal in 2017 when he was unanimously appointed to the position by the Board of Education; and

Whereas, in addition to his service as an esteemed educator, Dr. Nelson joined the Army in 1994 and served in the Army Reserve for over twenty years, achieving the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2); and

Whereas, during his meritorious Army career, Dr. Nelson continued to fulfill his desire to educate by volunteering for, and graduating from, the rigorous United States Army Drill Sergeant School, serving for a time as a drill sergeant and later as an Instructor for the Regional Training Center East, Fort Dix. In 2013, he was deployed to Kuwait for a year as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Specialist; and

Whereas, Dr. Nelson earned several military awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendations, and three Army Achievement Medals; and

Whereas, as a teacher, as a co-worker, as a school administrator, as a soldier, and as a person, Dr. Nelson was a positive influence to all those who were fortunate enough to know him. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Margaret Dolan wrote: “Dr. Nelson touched us all with his kindness, compassion, integrity, and endlessly positive attitude.” Lt. Col. Adam Jackson, an Army Reserve spokesman, stated to Army Times, “…we must not forget the valuable contribution he made to his country and the impact he has left on our organization.” Governor Murphy proclaimed that Dr. Nelson “embodied all that makes New Jersey great”; and

Whereas, perhaps the greatest tributes, and the ones Dr. Nelson would no doubt be very proud of, came from the hundreds of past and present students who came forward to share their stories about how Dr. Nelson inspired them day after day to challenge themselves, try something new, and commit to achieving a goal; and

Whereas, in an act of pure selflessness true to his character, Dr. Nelson volunteered to donate bone marrow to a 14-year old boy in France in desperate need of stem cells, and in the course of the procedure, suffered extremely rare complications that ultimately ended his life;

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that I, Mayor Michelle W. Brindle, on behalf of a grateful community, hereby recognizes the many accomplishments of Dr. Derrick E. Nelson and offer this Proclamation as a lasting tribute to him. Further, on behalf of a grieving community, I offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, his fiancée Sheronda Braker, and their beloved daughter, Morgan, and thank them for sharing this wonderful and inspiring man with us."

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