On Apr. 12, the annual Bell Awards were hosted in the HHS cafeteria. The Bell Awards are hosted each year to honor teachers who make a difference in the lives of graduating seniors.
The teachers who were honored with a Bell from a senior are: Michelle Steffek from Reese Estrada, Steven Drozd from Jake Ressler, Christina Halata from Alaijah Barnes, Heath Ressler from Nolan Schneider, Claudette Demel from Carter Pustka, Kristi Bradford from Rylie Mikulec, Christen Smajstrla from Lucas Hill, Ryan Barnes from Antwan Fletcher, Mackenzi Bivins from Alaina Halata, and Shannon Flores from Mycole Pegoda.
Mrs. Smajstrla, who teaches principles of human services, child development, and culinary arts at HHS, shares what receiving a bell award felt like.
“Receiving a bell award makes me feel like I am appreciated for all of the hard work and effort I put in each year,” Smajstrla said.
Teachers are chosen by the Education Foundation based on essays written by seniors about teachers who have impacted their education. Mrs. Demel, who teaches calculus at HHS, shares how she felt during the ceremony.
“I felt so happy and honored to be chosen as a Bell Award recipient. Teachers do not often get positive feedback from students. To receive the bell and hear the kind words from Carter just made me feel proud to be a teacher and ecstatic that what I am doing is making a positive impact. Carter’s speech really touched my heart, and I am excited to see all the great things he will accomplish in the future as an engineer. I hope he always looks back fondly at AP Calculus and that the binder will be helpful in his first college courses,” Demel said.
The bell awards are how teachers at HHS are recognised for their hard work that they put into teaching their students. These awards show how much the students at HHS value their teachers. Mr. Briscoe, the HHS principal, shares why the Bell Awards are an important part of HHS.
“The Bell Awards are special because they bring our school community full circle, students honoring the teachers who guided them, inspired them, and helped them become who they are today,” Briscoe said.
