Congratulations to LCHS Agriculture Teacher, Mrs. Melissa Blackburn, for being recognized on Wednesday, February 25, 2025, as the Big Sandy River Region Nominee for the Golden Owl Award!
The Golden Owl Award is awarded to the state’s top agriculture teachers, with nominations collected from local students, parents, fellow teachers, and community members. Mrs. Blackburn was presented with a personalized plaque and received a $500 check from Ms. Sheldon McKinney, Executive Director of the KY FFA Foundation.
During the ceremony, several students shared how Mrs. Blackburn has impacted them personally through her classes. Agriculture sophomore, Samantha Spradlin, shared, “Mrs. Blackburn inspires me to do better each day and makes learning about agriculture interesting and fun.” LCHS FFA President, Mikka Horn, expressed, “Mrs. Blackburn is a role model who encouraged and motivated me to step up in situations where I was nervous. This helped me to grow and develop confidence. She has shown me how much teachers care about their students!” LCHS co-worker, Crystal Cavins, shared, “Mrs. Blackburn goes above and beyond for her students and school. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award!”
Mrs. Blackburn was visibly emotional when asked about the significance of this award. “This is a dream award because it comes from my students! It isn’t determined by measurable means. My students recognized this in me, and that is why it means so much!”
Again, congratulations to Mrs. Blackburn, who truly goes above and beyond for her students, schools, and community. We value the important contributions she makes in preparing our LC students to become future leaders in agriculture and other industries.
