Music Director Mike Pierson was greeted with a pleasant surprise at 9:00 a.m., April 1. A group of teachers and administrators, including Superintendent Chris Belcher, walked into the choir room during first hour with an array of cameras and a purple bouquet of flowers. It was soon announced that Pierson had won the Columbia Fund for Academic Excellence Senior High Educator of the Year Award.

Pierson was nominated for the award through a letter-writing campaign. Students, teachers and peers sent in letters and essays praising Pierson for his devotion to the RBHS music program and to his students. After carefully reading through each entry, the CFAE decided upon Pierson as worthy of the reward.
With the title of “Senior High Educator of the Year,” Pierson received an engraved silver tray and a $1, 200 prize. He will attend the CFAE banquet at Stoney Creek Inn next Thursday, which honors his achievement.
“It’s a special award,” Pierson said. “I appreciate it very much. I appreciate that my students and their parents and my peers … see my dedication and see hard work and appreciate the success that we’ve all achieved together.”
By Lauren Puckett