Three teachers were honored with the Bell Award at the National Honor Society senior recognition ceremony Monday, May 4.

Senior students wrote nominations for educators who impacted their lives in a positive way, and the three finalists were recognized at the ceremony. Kolton Casey-Burkhalter nominated engineering and architecture teacher Bill Troyer for the Bell Award.

“I chose to nominate Mr. Troyer because he’s really made an impact in my high school career,” Casey-Burkhalter said. “If you really get to know him, he’s a real genuine guy.”

Choir members Bailey DeBerry and Makenzie Kuykendall nominated choir director Brandon Farren, recalling his crazy antics in the classroom. DeBerry also commented on Farren’s ability to connect with his students.

“For me, Mr. Farren has become like a second dad,” DeBerry said. “If I ever need anything, I know that I can come to him for advice on any decision or if I’m just simply having a bad day. I know he’ll be there for me, and I know that he’d be there for any of his students.”

Farren said the kids are the reason he is successful in his job.

“Our incredible kids are why we show up every day and pour our passion into the classroom,” Farren said. “When that passion and dedication are returned to us in the students’ lives, that is when the teachers beam with pride and confidence that these students will continue doing incredible things. “

Senior Abby Caviness nominated her journalism and newspaper advisor Laura Smith. Smith has taught Caviness all four years of high school.

“I chose to nominate Mrs. Smith because out of all the teachers I’ve had, she’s made the biggest impact on me,” Caviness said. “She introduced me to what I wanted to do with the rest of my life and taught me to enjoy it. I don’t think there’s any other thing that’s as important as that.”

Smith took the newspaper staff, including Caviness, to New York for a journalism convention over spring break.

“We were driving home and it was very late,” Caviness said. “Everybody else in the car was asleep, and I was riding shotgun because I get carsick. Mrs. Smith and I started singing whatever songs we could find on the radio, ranging from smooth jazz to country. We really bonded over that moment.”

Smith said the recognition from her students means much more to her than any sort of national award.

“That night when I went home, I saw on the news the story about the national teacher of the year, and I looked at that bell,” said Smith, who was Region 16 Teacher of the Year for 2008-2009. “I thought about how it means more to me to have that bell from my students who are with me day in and day out than it did to have an award from a committee that voted for me based on what I wrote in an essay. This award shows me the hours that I have spent with these kids meant something to them.”