Raymond Churchill, who has taught music at Griswold High School near Norwich for 20 years, recently received the 2015-16 LifeChanger of the Year Award by National Life Group, a Texas company that sells life insurance.
It was before the choir and band concert of on the evening of March 8, while the students warmed up their instruments and voices, when the company surprised him. He thanked his family and students for the honor, for which he knew he had been nominated but did not think he had won because nobody had mentioned it.
National Life Group only told principal Mark Frizzell and Sue Rourke, interim superintendent of schools, about Churchill winning. Rouke said Churchill was a valuable asset to the school and a popular teacher. The previous superintendent nominated him, stating that his efforts were particularly notable during the annual spring musical.
National Life Group's Darlene Flagg explained that the LifeChanger Award goes to those in the nation who lead students and influence them to do their best. In total, 620 members of school staff around the United States were nominated, each of whom worked at a school on a full-time basis. There were 15 people across the nation, who won the award along with $5,000. Churchill will keep half of this amount and the school receives the other.
School newsletter printing documents after school events such as music concerts. A unique event like this would more than likely be in the newsletter and possibly make the front page.
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