A Brooklyn school has been chosen to become the first-ever all-girls school to win the National Blue Ribbon Award.

Excellence Girls Charter School in Bed-Stuy was given the special recognition from the U.S. Department of Education this week, and will also become the first Brooklyn charter school to receive such an honor.

The school follows a personable tradition every morning, where their students shake Principal Nikki Bowen's hand before they start the day. Bowen says that first impressions are important, so she teaches these skills at a young age.

Bowen is in her third year as principal and says having "fierce females" in students' lives is important.

"As a woman, and a black woman who grew up in Brooklyn, I know how important it is to have strong, female role models," says Bowen.

The school will receive the official honor at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November.