MARQUAND-ZION TEACHER WINS A STATE DAR HONOR

Marquand-Zion Social Studies teacher Shirley Gilmore Blecha was recently named by the Missouri State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution as the Outstanding Teacher of American History for the state of Missouri.

Blecha was honored at a luncheon and awards program during the DAR State Conference at the Holiday Inn Executive Center at Columbia, on March 26. She was presented with a DAR pin, a framed certificate and a monetary gift of $250.

Mrs. Donald Cook, DAR state history chairman, stated that the judges were impressed with the supportive letters accompanying Blecha's nomination. These letters indicated that Blecha includes her students in many activities relating to their American history studies.

Blecha is a 1970 graduate of Willard High School in the southwest part of the state. She received her bachelor's degree from Southwest Missouri State University in 1974 and her master's from Southwest in 1978. She taught American history and other social studies classes for grades 7-12 at the Marquand-Zion High School for the past 19 years.

She is currently president of the Marquand Community Teachers Association and president of the Southeast Missouri Council for Social Studies.

Blecha lives in Marquand with her husband, John.

Blecha will now become a contestant in the National DAR Outstanding Teacher of American History Contest. The national award will be presented in Washington, D.C., this month.