LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A local charter school is making sure the legacy of a beloved leader never fades, honoring their late assistant principal with a touching tribute.
Assistant Principal Jen Dudchya recently died following a battle with breast cancer. To honor her memory, school officials dedicated a campus bench adorned with a memorial plaque in her name, as well as renaming a street on campus in her name.
Colleagues Remember Dudchya
Friends and colleagues at the school remember Dudchya as the heartbeat of the campus, a devoted friend, and someone who treated the entire school like family.
Principal Julianna Turley says Dudchya first joined Doral Academy in 2013 as a fifth-grade teacher before stepping into the role of instructional coach in 2017. She soon transitioned into administration to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a school principal, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the school community for families, faculty, and students alike.
She add that she hopes the tributes keep Dudchya’s spirit alive while serving as an important reminder to prioritize health, advocate for early detection, and support those fighting the disease.
“So our hope is that, it’s really two things. One will be able to remember her, but also for us to be diligent in prioritizing our health and advocating for those who are affected either personally or to support those who are battling this illness,” Turley said.
Best friend and colleague, Lindsey Theurer, describes Dudchya as an outgoing, welcoming force from the moment they met. Whether she was handing out morning treats to family dogs in the carpool lane or connecting with students over shared passions, Theurer says Dudchya made a point to know every family personally.
“She was just so happy to be here. She loved her students. She loved her teachers. It was one big family to her,” Theurer said.
“She made it a culture of family. It was a community, and with her passing, that was something we knew we’re missing now. She brought us all together.”
For Jill Montgomery, a teacher and close colleague of eight years, she recalled meeting Dudchya before joining the staff, noting that Dudchya greeted her with an “instantaneous energy” and later mentored her as she transitioned into teaching middle school.
“Jen was Doral, and she was the epitome of what Doral should be,” Montgomery said. “Everybody knew she had treats in her vest for the dogs in carpool, she loved field trips, and she had an overall enthusiasm you can’t replace. She’s not a replaceable person.”
Jen Dudycha Student Travel Scholarship
To carry on her passion for hands-on learning, the school created a travel scholarship dedicated to funding student field trips. S
Staff members describe Dudchya as an extraordinary educator and community advocate, adding that they hope to honor her legacy by continuing the work she started.
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School officials said an official dedication ceremony for the memorial bench will take place this October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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