SUSAN HEKMAT GETS NATIONAL FORENSIC AWARD

We received more proof last month that the Cape Girardeau area is home to some of the best teachers in the country.

This time, Susan Hekmat, a Central High School English teacher, was one of 15 teachers in the nation who received the Outstanding Speech-Drama-Debate Educator Award. It is the top honor presented by the National Federation Interscholastic Speech and Debate Association based in Indianapolis. Each state nominates one educator for the award, and the nominee must be endorsed by the state's high school activities association.

Hekmat has coached speech and debate for 14 of her 22 years as an educator. She guided Central's team to a slot in the National Forensic League, an honor society of speech and debate clubs where students win points in competitions for membership.

Hekmat sat out last year for the first time in more than a decade for a well-deserved break. We hope she will lend her talent to Central's team once again, especially now that it is clear she is at the top of her field.