‘Ping-pong’ principal, ‘positive’ student earn Best of the Best

Wilson Elementary principal Tom Meagher sits with his daughter Becky, 18, during Monday's USD 489 Best of the Best Awards. She said. "I am super excited for my dad and very proud of him." — Wilson Elementary principal Tom Meagher sits with his daughter Becky, 18, during Monday’s USD 489 Best of the Best Awards. “I am super excited for my dad and very proud of him,” she said.

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

January’s USD 489 Best of the Best Awards were awarded to Wilson Elementary principal Tom Meagher and Hays High senior Lily Meska at Monday’s school board meeting.

According to board president James Leiker, the awards are intended to recognize students and staff who go “above and beyond” to improve the district and the community.

Meagher was nominated for the award by his staff.

Wilson kindergarten teacher Jonita Windholz described Meagher as a “ping-pong.”

“He is bouncing from here to there and everywhere, but I mean as a ping-pong in a very skilled, managed and driven way…always with a purpose,” Windholz said. “He has touched many lives and made a difference in the staff, his students as well as the community and his family.”

Meska, a student assistant in the counselor’s office at Hays High School, was nominated by school nurse Misty Garrison and counselor Sherri Matlock.

HHS senior Lily Meska was honored with January's Best of the Best student award. — HHS senior Lily Meska was honored with January’s Best of the Best student award.

Both Garrison and Matlock described Meska as a positive and mature student who is always willing to help others.

Meska plans to continue her work helping others.

She is currently enrolled in the HHS Allied Health program and will major in nursing at the University of Kansas next year.