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Awards & Recognition
The Arkansas Communication & Theatre Arts Association presents distinguished awards to key individuals in the state that evidence a commitment to promoting communication, debate, forensics, and theatre as an essential discipline, life skill, and art form. We invite members to nominate a colleague for one of ACTAA’s awards. This provides an excellent opportunity to spotlight the outstanding service and commitment to our discipline that can be found in our community and on your campus. How to Write an Outstanding Nomination
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| Spirit of ACTAAEstablished in 2014, the Spirit of ACTAA award is given to those ACTAA members, in good standing, that have served ACTAA in some special manner sometime during the previous school year, (August to August). The Spirit of ACTAA award publicly recognizes not only those individual(s) that embody the spirit of ACTAA’s mission but also those members who work collaboratively to aid others in the organization. This award permits ACTAA to honor those who demonstrate a commitment to improving and strengthening the efforts of ACTAA in any area while making a significant impact on our organization. Nominate a colleague
2014: Helen Strickland & Brandon Higdem 2015: Micah Qualls & Terri Swedenburg 2016: Jacki Reiff & Mandy Taylor 2017: John Gale & Melinda Beith 2018: Brandon Box Higdem, John Gale, Rachel Mauchline, Andrea Speer & Rosie Valdez Block 2019: 2020: 2021: 2022: 2023: Daniel Caudle, Jenny Moses & Rosie Valdez-Block 2024: Antha Johnson, Lauren Loehndorf, Sean Petersen, Tonya Reck, and Tiffany Tucker |
| ACTAA Teacher of the YearEstablished in 1966, the award can be given to the secondary school teacher and/or the college teacher who best exemplifies not only the spirit of ACTAA’s mission but also shows throughout their tenure with ACTAA an ability to work toward the common good of ACTAA and its members. This teacher should be a member in good standing for at least 5 years before being considered for this award. Those candidates nominated for Teacher of the Year should not only serve their school and their discipline well but they should also be active members involved in the business of ACTAA. It is not necessary to give this award out every year.
1967: Donna Wasson 1968: Bobbye Faye Gammill 1969: Patty Howe 1970: Judy Vassar 1971: Marsha Pratt 1972: Libby Claylon Smith 1973: Pris Benson 1974: Carol Ann Hatchet 1975: J. W. Sumner 1976: Karen Lawrence Wiesner 1977: Charlotte Moore 1978: David Ray 1979: Renva Watterson 1980: Pat Treadway 1981: Steve Brown 1982: Therese McFall 1983: Gwen Brooks 1984: Debbie Howell 1985: Charlene Shehane 1986: Evan Ulrey 1987: Patti Stiles 1988: Sally Roden 1989: Pat Garner 1990: Fred Boosey 1991: Melinda Valdez 1992: Conley Hall 1993: Kathy Holladay & Linda Webster 1994: Lisa Tiller & John Gale 1995: Sue Morse & Claudia Beach 1996: Sallie Langford & Renva Watterson 1997: Jeannie Gray & Mike Fisher 1998: Jane Balgavy & Dennis White 1999: Cliff Langford 2000: Sara Cooke 2001: Tony Blackman 2002: Vicki Thompson 2003: Mary Richardson 2004: Ashley McMahan 2005: Debbie Ashcraft & Jim Roiger 2006: Angie Wooley 2007: Jennifer Akers 2008: Kim Dade 2009: Debra Catton & Scott Kuttenkuler 2010: Tim Hollis 2011: Jennifer Salazar 2012: Christen Pitts 2013: Dawn Tucker & Anthony McMullen 2014: Melinda Beith 2015: Callie Ham 2016: Rosie Valdez Block 2017: Brandon Box Higdem 2018: Martene Campbell 2019: Laurie Harrison 2020: Julie Rine 2021: Hannah Sawyer Evans 2022: Helen Strickland 2023: Tiffany Tucker 2024: Jessica Skordal |
| NFHS Outstanding Speech, Debate, & Theatre EducatorThe National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) recognizes outstanding educators in various athletic & activities for their impact on their area and their state professional associations in the following criteria: organization and continuance of an activity program, significant and ongoing contributions to the field, years of both curricular and co-curricular service, contributions to the profession both in and out of the state. Each state member association is allowed to nominate one educator to be considered for regional and then national recognition. ACTAA recognizes the ACTAA Teacher of Year award winner as the state nominee for the state to the NFHS award.
1998: Jeannie Gray 1999: Jane Morgan Balgavy 2000: Clifford Holli Langford 2001: Sara Cooke 2002: None 2003: Vicki Thompson 2004: Ashley Wyatt McMahan 2005: Marisa Arnold 2006: Deborah Kay Ashcraft 2007: Angela Wolley 2008: None 2009: None 2010: Debra Cotton 2011: None 2012: None 2013: None 2014: Dawn Tucker 2015: None 2016: Callie Ham 2017: Rosie Valdez Block 2018: Brandon Box-Higdem 2019: Martene Campbell 2020: None 2021: Julia Rine 2022: Hannah Evans 2023: Helen Strickland 2024: Tiffany Tucker |
| ACTAA Administrator of the YearThis award can be given to any administrator who is committed to promoting communication, debate, forensics, and theatre as an essential discipline, life skill, and art form. This may be evidenced by being highly supportive of a program at the state, district or school level. Whether promoting funding, advocating for development, or “cutting red tape” that positively impacted the disciplines. It is not necessary to give this award out every year.
2014: Dr. Tony Thurman, Superintendent (Cabot Public Schools) 2015: 2016: Jack Loyd, Principal (Bentonville High School) 2017: Duane Clayton, Principal (Mills University Studies High School) 2018: Dr. Jim Rollins, Superintendent (Springdale School District) 2019: 2020: Ahna Davis, Principal (Cabot Freshman Academy) 2021: Bradley Webber, Principal (Fulbright Junior High) 2022: Tim Harrison, Assistant Principal (Cabot High School) 2023: Dr. Nadia Saint-Louis, Principal (North Little Rock High School) 2023: Dr. Paul Griep, Principal (Har-Ber High School) |
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