May 24, 2007

CHHS teacher receives ‘Hero Award’ for excellence in classroom
Classic HUMMER of Grapevine offers use of vehicle for a week

Colleyville Heritage High School theatre director Jennifer Phagan has received the prestigious Bayard H. Friedman Hero Award, which recognizes her as the most outstanding drama teacher in North Texas. The award is part of the Score A Goal In the Classroom School Incentive Program and includes the use of a HUMMER vehicle for a week.

The vehicle was delivered to Phagan on Thursday during a special celebration at CHHS. In addition, Rick Lawlis of Classis HUMMER presented Phagan with a $1,000 honorarium.

Phagan was presented with the Hero Award during the 2007 Betty Lynn Buckley Theatre Awards on Monday at Casa Mañana Theatre in Fort Worth. In addition, two of her students received Buckley awards – senior Sydney Casey, best costume design for budget level 2; and senior Colleen Harris, best lighting design for budget level 1. This year, the musical theater productions of both CHHS and Grapevine High earned a total of 10 Buckley nominations.

Phagan has served as the CHHS theatre director since 2000. She also sponsors the International Thespian Society, Oral Interpretation Team, UIL Prose and One-Act Play. She spends her free time acting in area productions and is leaving the District after the current school year to pursue a full-time career in acting.

“It has been a pleasure to teach in this community and this school,” Phagan said. “I will miss my students more than words can describe. Winning this award is very humbling and represents the best seven years of my life.”

The Hero Award was established to honor outstanding school employees in North Texas. Phagan is the first Grapevine-Colleyville ISD teacher to receive the award since 2003, when CHHS choir director Danny Detrick was named the outstanding vocal teacher in North Texas.