By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

The first round of nomination forms for USD 489’s Best of the Best Awards were emailed to district staff, students and parents this week.

At Monday’s work session, board President James Leiker said the awards  are intended to recognize the accomplishments of one student and one staff member each month this school year –  those who are not always given the attention they deserve.

“It’s the ones that continue to go above and beyond, to reward them, recognize them publicly and showcase what does go on in our schools,” Leiker said, “It is not just academics and athletics. There are a lot of other things that most people don’t realize, and those are really what we are looking for — those people that continually push this district forward and make it what it is.”

The board members and USD 489 staff will review nominations and choose the winners.

The deadline for October’s nominations is Oct. 17.

The first award recipients will be recognized at the Oct. 20 school meeting, where winners will each receive a donated $50 dining gift certificate and engraved limestone trophy.

For more information on the award and nomination process, contact Cheryl Schubert at the USD 489 Rockwell Administration Building  at (785) 623-2400 or [email protected].