FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (January 22, 2024) – A total of 56 individuals have been selected to receive Outstanding Performing Arts Educator Awards from the NFHS, including 22 with Outstanding Music Educator Awards, 21 with Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator Awards and 13 with Outstanding Theatre Awards.
The 22 music honorees include seven section recipients and 15 state recipients. Eight individuals are receiving section awards in speech and debate and 13 will be honored with state awards. In theatre, there are seven section and six state recipients.
Since 1988 when the first Outstanding Speech/Debate Awards were presented, 254 individuals have received section awards and 413 have been honored with state awards. The Outstanding Music Educator Awards began a year later in 1989, and 213 individuals have received section awards and another 394 have been honored with state awards.
Outstanding Music Educator Award
Section 8 - Karen Bohart - Portland, Oregon
Embarking on a life-long journey that intertwines personal passion with professional commitment, Karen Bohart has proven to be an unwavering advocate for music education. Her teaching odyssey began in 1996 at Lake Oswego Jr High School and continued through various institutions, including Reynolds High School and Franklin High School, where she demonstrated her prowess in building and reviving choral programs. Bohart currently serves as Choir Director at Wilsonville High School.
Throughout her career, Bohart has showcased her adaptability by teaching and directing mixed, treble, and tenor/bass choirs at all levels. A distinguishing feature of her impact is the broad spectrum of institutions she has served, spanning socio-economic backgrounds. This exposure has afforded her unique insights into diverse approaches that lead to student success. Bohart’s teaching philosophy revolves around inspiring passion, providing meaningful opportunities, and fostering a positive and safe community for students to express themselves through music and performance.
In addition to her commendable work within the classroom, Bohart has been a luminary figure in the choral community on a regional and national scale. Her leadership roles include serving as Oregon President for the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and playing various managerial roles in the Oregon Music Educators Association (OMEA) and the National Association for Music Education (NAFME).
Her dedication to the advancement of choral music education is reflected in the Outstanding Service Award from NAFME and the awards from OMEA for presenting sessions and conducting choirs at state conferences. Bohart’s passion goes farther than her classrooms, as she continues to influence the lives of her students long after graduation, earning her the affectionate moniker "K-Bo" among her students.
Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator Awards
Section 8 - Kristen D. Sullivan – Jacksonville, Oregon
Kristen D. Sullivan embarked on her journey in 2016 by establishing the Speech & Debate team at Crater High School. Throughout her seven-year tenure, she has demonstrated exceptional coaching skills, leading her students to a variety of achievements, including multiple State and Nationals qualifications each year. Under her guidance, the team achieved significant success, such as State champions in Duo Interpretation in 2020 and high placements in sweepstakes. Sullivan’s commitment goes beyond coaching, as she actively contributes to the speech community. She has served on the NSDA District Committee and is currently a member, showcasing her dedication to fostering a supportive and competitive environment.
In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Sullivan has been an educator for 19 years, teaching English and Social Science in both Arkansas and Oregon. Her involvement extends to supporting the speech community through roles such as secretary of the Oregon High School Speech and Debate League Coaches' Association (OHSSL-CA) for three years. Sullivan’s organizational and communication skills shine as she helps run judge training, manages the judge lounge at tournaments, and hosts the Crater High School tournament. She has been instrumental in elevating her team's profile, transforming it from local competitions to participating in out-of-town tournaments, even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sullivan’s dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by her recognition of the Donus D. Roberts Award, signifying over 14,000 NSDA Points. Her impact extends to the broader speech and debate community in Oregon, where she serves as the Secretary for the OHSSL-CA and the South Oregon NSDA board. Sullivan's exemplary coaching, leadership, and contributions to the speech community make her a deserving recipient of recognition, demonstrating her commitment to the growth and success of the program at Crater High School and beyond.
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About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,000 high schools and 11 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7.8 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Bruce Howard, 317-972-6900
Director of Publications and Communications
National Federation of State High School Associations
Chris Boone, 317-972-6900
Assistant Director of Publications and Communications
National Federation of State High School Associations
Nate Perry, 317-972-6900
Manager of Media Relations
National Federation of State High School Associations
