The award, presented on June 23 during the NAfME National Leadership Assembly, marks a career milestone for the legislator who has served in the Virginia House of Delegates for decades. Her legislative work, specifically the passage of the bill creating the fine arts diploma seal, was designed to emphasize that music education is both academically rigorous and directly relevant to workforce development. NAfME President Cecil Adderley praised Watts for her ability to translate classroom realities into effective statewide policy.

Watts, who first entered the House of Delegates in 1982 and became the chamber's longest-serving woman in 2017, noted that the recognition highlights the cognitive and social benefits of music training. She joins a select group of previous honorees, including former U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander and Patty Murray, who were recognized for their work on the Every Student Succeeds Act. The award serves as a rare acknowledgment of policymakers who prioritize the arts as an essential component of a well-rounded public education.