Hardin County board honors students and staff for classroom achievements and community service

The Hardin County Board of Education on the evening meeting adopted a resolution to present its monthly "difference maker" awards and recognized students, teachers and community volunteers for classroom achievements and service.

Board members called up students and staff to accept awards, including a seventh-grade student whose design won the Kentucky Secretary of State "I Voted" sticker contest and will be distributed locally, and Binks, a sixth-grade participant in the University of Louisville Hospital's Future Healers program. "This young lady has she's like a hall of famer," an awards presenter said while introducing the sticker contest winner.

Other honorees included Josh and Heather Bell, who volunteered to fund uniforms for a Bluegrass Middle School club soccer team after more than 80 families expressed interest; Central Hardin students Dale Powell and Chase Hatfield for strong classroom engagement and work in the Early College and Career Center automotive pathway; and Edna Powell, the district’s special needs route coordinator, commended for coordinating transportation for nearly 400 kindergarten students and supporting preschool events.

Teachers were highlighted for integrating the district’s Portrait of a Learner competencies into daily instruction. Science teacher Christine Birch described brief, biweekly mini-lessons that focus on one competency per two weeks to boost engagement and student reflection. "We started analyzing ourselves and having that self reflection," Birch said.

The recognition segment concluded with applause and a formal voice vote to adopt the resolution. The board did not take additional action related to the awards during the meeting.

Looking ahead, board members said these recognitions are part of ongoing efforts to celebrate classroom innovation and community partnerships.