Sedalia Firefighters Local 103 surprised Smith-Cotton High teacher Stacey Steinkuhler with one of its highest honors on Tuesday, Jan. 22.
Sedalia 200 says that Steinkuhler, a freshman English Language Arts teacher and sponsor of both the Freshmen Academy and the Link Crew freshmen support program, was awarded a challenge coin by Local 103 President Josh Nelson, Vice President Jeremy Pepin and member Jamie Volk with the entire freshmen class gathered in the Heckart Performing Arts Center.

Each year, the S-C Freshmen Academy raises funds for Sedalia’s FireFighter Memorial, which is located in Liberty Park, and other union programs. Steinkuhler was nominated by Volk and fellow Local 103 member Christion Hulen. In their recommendation letter, they wrote: “Found on the reverse side of our challenge coin are the words honor, respect, integrity and professionalism. Through her efforts, Stacey has not only demonstrated these values herself, but also instilled them in her students.”

Steinkuhler was surprised not only by the recognition, but also by her brother, Sedalia firefighter Chris Maggert, who was in attendance. Along with the challenge coin, Steinkuhler received a framed photograph of the memorial.

“Receiving the challenge coin and the memorial picture from Local 103 was an honor and a complete surprise,” Steinkuhler said. “Every year during our Firefighter Memorial event, we set out to raise more money and awareness than the last. We do it because it is the right thing to do to honor those who put their lives at risk for us on a daily basis. With the help of Smith-Cotton and our Sedalia community, we plan to continue teaching those values etched on the challenge coin: honor, integrity, respect, and professionalism.”

Steinkuhler also thanked Volk and the Sedalia Fire Department, who she said “prove your dedication to the students at Smith-Cotton and the Sedalia community.”

Sedalia 200
Sedalia 200
loading...

PIC: Smith-Cotton High teacher Stacey Steinkuhler, center, displays the challenge coin and photo of the Sedalia Firefighter Memorial that she received Tuesday, Jan. 22, from, from left, Sedalia Firefighters Local 103 President Josh Nelson; her brother, union member Chris Maggert; union member Jamie Volk and Vice President Jeremy Pepin.

More From Mix 92.3