The Hardin County Board of Education adopted a resolution and recognized students and staff for athletic, academic and community achievements at its meeting.

Board members voted to adopt a resolution to begin the recognition portion of the meeting; the motion carried. The board presented HCS Better Together student awards to about 30 James T. Alton Middle School students who organized a care-package drive for the Brown Cancer Center that collected more than 3,000 items. The students called their effort “Coleman’s Mission.” The presentation noted the school’s child nutrition team donated nearly 1,100 of the 3,000 items, and that Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman surprised the students and thanked them when they delivered the items.

The board also presented a HCS Better Together staff award to the James T. Alton Child Nutrition team for its role as the largest contributor to the drive. A HCS Better Together community award went to Danny Emmons, identified as a music-service representative with Conrad Music Service, in recognition of more than 50 years supporting student music programs.

The board recognized multiple student achievements: a John Hardin High School junior who won the 2A girls shot put state championship with a mark reported as 34 feet, 9.5 inches; students who qualified for KMEA All-State Middle School Band from multiple schools; James T. Alton and other students who earned spots in all‑state ensembles and academic competitions; culinary pathway students at the Early College and Career Center who placed first and second at the Kentucky ProStart Championships; John Hardin High School JROTC air rifle teams that finished state champion and runner-up; and Central Hardin and John Hardin area JROTC students invited to national competitions. The board also noted that Jason Nagle (EC3 engineering instructor) received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kentucky VEX Robotics Coaches Association.

Board members and staff invited awardees and their families to come forward for photos and brief remarks. The recognitions were presented at the start of the board’s evening meeting; the board took no policy action related to the recognitions.