Educator of the Year
St. Patrick's Catholic School teacher Amanda Feilen center, receives the 2012 McCook, Nebraska, Area "Educator of the Year" award Thursday evening. "I'm stunned, I'm so new at teaching," said Feilen. "We have a remarkable group of students. They all bring something special to the class." Feilen teaches fifth grade through eighth grade social studies and fifth grade religion. Presenting the award were, from left, the Rev. Gary Brethour, Linda Wood, Feilen, Maggie Repass and St. Patrick's principal Becky Redl. In 1998, Allen D. Strunk, former editor and publisher of the McCook Daily Gazette, gave a monetary gift to the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce to establish the "McCook Area Educator of the Year Award." This honor goes to an educator selected by the chamber's Education Committee to encourage and recognize outstanding performance in the field of education, with special emphasis on motivating students to reach their highest potential.