EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR PROGRAM
Kiwanis Club of Las Vegas
Kiwanis Club of Las Vegas The Educator of the Year Program, now in its 21st
year, was the brainchild of Kiwanian Ned L. Jacobs, who had been Director of
Kaplan Education Corporation in San Diego before becoming Executive Director of
the Lied Childrens Discovery Museum in Las
Vegas.
The purpose of the program was to recognize outstanding
educators at the secondary level in the Clark County School District (CCSD).
Past Presidents Bill Paynter and George J. Vasconi met with Allison Copening,
community affairs director for KLAS TV-8, to recruit the station as a cosponsor
of the program. KLAS news anchor Gary Waddell agreed to serve as master of
ceremonies for the awards luncheon. George designed an apple-shaped lapel pin,
in red and gold, inscribed with Educator of the Year, the school year, and the
name of the recipient and his/her high school. These pins were made by Jostens.
George also designed a plaque with similar information that was given to each
honoree and a blue-and-white banner for the banquet room at the Port Tack
Restaurant. CCSD administrators nominated the honorees, and biographical
sketches were provided by Addie McGuire, a community relations officer for
CCSD. All this was printed in a four-page bulletin that was distributed at the
luncheon.
The inaugural Educator of the Year Awards was held on
April 29, 1992, at the Port Tack Restaurant. Seventeen educators were
recognized. Kiwanis Club President Bruce Dickinson presided, Gary Waddell served
as master of ceremonies, and CCSD Superintendent Brian Cram presented the
awards. That evening, KLAS TV-8 broadcast a clip from the awards luncheon, and a
quarter-page promotional ad featuring a photograph of the honorees was printed
in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The Ronkin
Educational Group, an initial cosponsor, was succeeded by Kaplan. KLAS TV-8
remains a cosponsor to this day. The format has changed somewhat over the
years, but the basic premise to recognize outstanding high school educators has
endured. Past Presidents Bruce Dickinson, Bill Paynter, and George J. Vasconi
chaired the Educator of the Year Committee for most of the %u201890s. A
highlight of those years was an appearance by Ian Perdriau, president-elect of
Kiwanis International, in April 1994.
It is important to note that several of the honorees over
the years were Varsity Quiz Coaches and Key Club Advisors who had played
important roles in our Youth Benefit and Sponsored Youth Programs. Mark Segal,
Chairman, Educator of the Year Committee Kiwanis Club of Las
Vegas.
George J. Vasconi, Past Lt. Gov.
Kiwanis Club of Las Vegas
Kiwanis Club of Las Vegas
Kiwanis Club of Las Vegas The Educator of the Year Program, now in its 21st
year, was the brainchild of Kiwanian Ned L. Jacobs, who had been Director of
Kaplan Education Corporation in San Diego before becoming Executive Director of
the Lied Childrens Discovery Museum in Las
Vegas.
The purpose of the program was to recognize outstanding
educators at the secondary level in the Clark County School District (CCSD).
Past Presidents Bill Paynter and George J. Vasconi met with Allison Copening,
community affairs director for KLAS TV-8, to recruit the station as a cosponsor
of the program. KLAS news anchor Gary Waddell agreed to serve as master of
ceremonies for the awards luncheon. George designed an apple-shaped lapel pin,
in red and gold, inscribed with Educator of the Year, the school year, and the
name of the recipient and his/her high school. These pins were made by Jostens.
George also designed a plaque with similar information that was given to each
honoree and a blue-and-white banner for the banquet room at the Port Tack
Restaurant. CCSD administrators nominated the honorees, and biographical
sketches were provided by Addie McGuire, a community relations officer for
CCSD. All this was printed in a four-page bulletin that was distributed at the
luncheon.
The inaugural Educator of the Year Awards was held on
April 29, 1992, at the Port Tack Restaurant. Seventeen educators were
recognized. Kiwanis Club President Bruce Dickinson presided, Gary Waddell served
as master of ceremonies, and CCSD Superintendent Brian Cram presented the
awards. That evening, KLAS TV-8 broadcast a clip from the awards luncheon, and a
quarter-page promotional ad featuring a photograph of the honorees was printed
in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The Ronkin
Educational Group, an initial cosponsor, was succeeded by Kaplan. KLAS TV-8
remains a cosponsor to this day. The format has changed somewhat over the
years, but the basic premise to recognize outstanding high school educators has
endured. Past Presidents Bruce Dickinson, Bill Paynter, and George J. Vasconi
chaired the Educator of the Year Committee for most of the %u201890s. A
highlight of those years was an appearance by Ian Perdriau, president-elect of
Kiwanis International, in April 1994.
It is important to note that several of the honorees over
the years were Varsity Quiz Coaches and Key Club Advisors who had played
important roles in our Youth Benefit and Sponsored Youth Programs. Mark Segal,
Chairman, Educator of the Year Committee Kiwanis Club of Las
Vegas.
George J. Vasconi, Past Lt. Gov.
Kiwanis Club of Las Vegas
