Community

Confer honored with Apple Award at BASD board meeting

BELLEFONTE -- Vicky Confer is a key staff member at Bellefonte Area High School. Recently, she was honored with a statewide award.

At Tuesday's Bellefonte school board meeting, Confer was presented with the NSTOY Apple Award. BASD superintendent Michelle Saylor and teacher Myken Poorman presented Confer with the award.

"We often honor our teachers who are doing an exceptional job, but we don't always have the opportunity to honor some of our support staff who are doing exceptional jobs," said Saylor. "Tonight, we have that honor and we really are proud of a member of our support staff."

NSTOY is an acronym for National Network of State Teachers of the Year. Poorman -- who was in the running for Pennsylvania State Teacher of the Year -- nominated Confer.

"This is a prestigious award. Not everybody gets it and it's really designed to honor those members of the education community who go above and beyond to make a difference in our children's lives. We are so proud to say that Mrs. Confer has received this recognition," Saylor said.

In her letter nominating Confer, Poorman wrote: "Vicky is a light in our school. She sees and helps so many students on a daily basis. Her office is never slow. And it's not just students. We teachers are needy. She never complains and will helps us all with a smile on her face. Vicky is a busy lady, but is always willing to help others. I can't think of a better, more deserving person for this award because she is so selfless and means so much to our school."

Confer was presented with a framed certificate from NSTOY as Poorman read from the letter from the organization: "In recognition, you are hereby sent an Apple Award certificate. We hope you'll frame and display it as inspiration to others as well as letting it serve as the well-deserved pat on the back you've earned."