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WIU Alumnus Wins Regional Ag Award, Moves on to National Competition

August 2, 2018

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MACOMB, IL – A Western Illinois University School of Agriculture alumnus, who was awarded the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Outstanding Early Career Award this spring, has now won the competition's regional honor and is one of six finalists for the national award.

Bryan Schullian, an agriculture education teacher from Southeastern High School, represented six states in the regional competition, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana and Missouri.

"I am honored to receive this award," said Schullian. "It is a direct reflection of my school, community and students. I couldn't have worked in a better district for the past seven years. They deserve all the credit, especially my students; they have been hard working, passionate and willing to take advantage of opportunities in the National FFA Organization."

NAAE's Outstanding Early Career Award is sponsored by John Deere as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. The award honors NAAE members who are in their third-seventh year of teaching. The award was designed to encourage young teachers to remain in the profession and encourage and recognize participation in professional activities.

Schullian will be recognized during the 2018 NAAE Convention in San Antonio, TX, where the national award winner will be announced.

"Mr. Schullian's advancement through the regional competition and progressing to the national level doesn't surprise me at all," said School of Agriculture Director Andy Baker. "Mr. Schullian is a dedicated, hard-working, committed individual, who has a passion for educating youth about the numerous opportunities in the field of agriculture. Bryan's work ethic and leadership truly reflect the type of student/alumnus we pursue. His students continually compete very well at both the state and national levels. Being selected to be among the six national finalists is truly an honor and privilege. We wish Bryan and his family the best in November at NAAE."

As part of the same competition, WIU alumnus Riley Hintzsche, of Steator, IL, won the state NAAE Teachers Turn the Key Award. Because there is no regional competition for this award, he also moves on to compete at the national level.

The Teachers Turn the Key Award is open to agriculture teachers who are in their second, third or fourth year of teaching.

For more information about the awards, visit naae.org/resources/awards/index.cfm.



Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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