We are happy to announce the most recent award winners. Congratulations to them for their exemplary dedication to education in our nation’s rural schools.

NRECA Mini Grant Program

The winners of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s mini grants for 2009-2010 are: 

School	Teacher(s)
Gustine ISD Sumter School District Two Humphreys County School District Vienna High School District 13-3 Holliday C-2 School El Campo ISD Catoosa Public Schools Humphreys County School District Humphreys County School District Perry County Schools Matoon CUDS #2 VIT High School	Scott Walters Audrey Keys, Nolan Hunter, James Laverdiere Lois Jordan Barbara Will-Henn, Richard Sandfort Tim Schoonover Carol Turner, Laura Diess, Rita Coblentz Francine Hooten Paul O'Neal Jr. Cindy Hale Randy Kalal Kristi Reller, Karen Korenowski, Kayse MacGregor, Jessica Fouts

The NRECA sponsors the NREA mini-grant program. Each winner receives a $500 grant.

The NREA Foundation Essay Contest winners were announced September 19, 2009. The first place winner in the elementary division is Krystal Marie Schmidt, a 5th grader at Chrisney Elementary School, Chrisney, Indiana. The runner-up is Russell Spurlock, a 4th grader from Stratford ISD, Stratford, Texas.

Charles Edward Waterhouse is the junior high/middle school division winner. Charles is an 8th grader at Garrett Middle School in Garrett, Indiana. Brandon Wells, an 8th grader at North Posey Junior High School, Poseyville, Indiana is this year’s runner-up.

The high school division winner is Hannah Covington, a junior at Mantoon High School in Mantoon, Illinois. The runner- up is Christy Lynn Sandlin, a junior at Switzerland County High School in Vevay, Indiana.

The winner in the elementary division receives $250. The runner-up will receive $100. The winners in the middle/junior high and high school divisions receive $400. The runner-ups receive a $200 prize.

A teacher in Grand Canyon, Arizona has been named Rural Teacher of the Year by the National Rural Education Association, based at Purdue University. Amy McBroom, an Art teacher at Grand Canyon Unified School District, will be honored at the National Rural Education Association's 101st convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 9th - 11th.

McBroom teaches students at all grade levels (K-12) as the only Art teacher in the district. She has taught at Grand Canyon since 2001. She was a founding member of the Arts for Our Park, a juried art show designed for students in the district. She was instrumental in the development and authorization of the International Baccalaureate Primary and Middle Years programs. McBroom is recognized by community members as an “inspiration” to the children of the district.

The Rural Teacher of the Year Award is sponsored by the John Deere Co. Honorees receive a $2,000 honorarium, and the school district receives $1,000 to purchase instructional materials and school supplies. Candidates are nominated by the state affiliate organization of the National Rural Education Association.

These individuals are recognized for their contributions to NREA, and as incentive to all of the members of NREA to model the work and effort of these outstanding rural educators.

• Ray Drage: Inducted in 2007 - Ohio Past President 1979
• Joe Newlin: Inducted in 2007 - Colorado (Executive Secretary 1980 - 1999)
• E. Robert Stephens: Inducted in 2008 - Iowa Past President 1972
• V. Pauline Hodges: Inducted in 2008 - Oklahoma Past President 1998
• Edward W. Chance: Inducted in 2009 - Oklahoma and Nevada Research Leader
• John Sullivan: Inducted in 2009 - Kansas Past President 1999 and Auctioneer

Senator Blanche Lincoln

New Harmony Consolidated School

John Sipple, Hope Casto, and Lisa McCabe

Hobart Harmon

Karen Eppley