This was a total surprise.
I was nominated last year at State Journalism in Norfolk, Nebraska, by the journalism teachers from Omaha North and Omaha Marian. At least four other people were nominated.
All journalism teachers in Nebraska voted, and it was quite an honor to have been their selection.
I also need to mention this was a total surprise and I had no idea I had won. Our NHSPA President, is someone that I student taught for eight years ago, and it was special that she was able to give me the honor. She started off her speech saying that the adviser that won had no idea, but that all the other journalism teachers in the state did. She then went on to say she knew this adviser personally, and had invited their parents to attend this ceremony. After that, she asked the students of the winning adviser to please stand. You can imagine my shock when my students stood in unison.
I was then called to stage to the sounds of a standing ovation and cheers from my students. Before I knew it, a video began to plan with testimonials from current and former students talking about why they felt I had deserved this award. On stage, in front of over 800 people, I tried to fight back the tears. I was successful...kinda.
After accepting the award, and thanking everyone, I returned to my seat to high-fives and cheers of my students and hugs from my parents (who before this were sitting in the back).
Then came the awards portion of the morning and the 2015 Millard West Prowler Yearbook won its 4th consecutive Cornhusker Award for having the top yearbook in the state of Nebraska. We also took home the Golden Kernel Award for Photography (see photo below).
The afternoon was filled with congratulations from colleagues and journalism teachers.
It was a great day, one that I won't soon forget. It's quite an honor to be selected as the 2015 Nebraska Journalism Teacher of the Year.
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