A record number of nominations are under consideration for the annual Star Performer and WOW cash awards given annually by the Hopkins Foundation, according to Tom Krueger, attorney and member of the Hopkins board of directors.
The awards go to teachers and support staff in the Emporia school district. Nominations for the honor were submitted by students, parents and others, Krueger said.
He said that although foundations are suffering financially from the national economic downturn, Hopkins will honor its commitment to the teachers and staff in the Emporia district.
“The purpose of the awards is to recognize the teachers and staff who make a difference in the lives of Emporia’s children and reward them for their efforts,” he said.
Carol Krueger will prepare a video that will be shown at the award winners’ schools and classrooms before being given to them to keep.
The awards have been presented in the past by Michelle Molinaro, granddaughter of the foundation’s creators, the late E.L. Hopkins and his wife, Z. Irene Hopkins, who takes part in the awards ceremonies.
Molinaro, who is in charge of the foundation, said in an earlier interview that it has given about $312,000 to the award winners during the past eight years.