GUERNSEY – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Department of Wyoming has announced Troy Reichert of Guernsey as this year’s recipient of the Wyoming Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award in the high school category. Reichert was selected from entries submitted by local VFW Posts throughout the state. He will go on to compete at the national level. In July, three national award recipients will receive a $1,000 donation for their individual professional development, another $1,000 will be awarded for their school, and they will receive an all-expenses paid trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, to participate in the 2017 VFW National Convention this year. Over 1,210 teachers were recognized by the VFW, with more than $190,000 in awards at this time.

Reichert is a high school industrial technology teacher at Guernsey-Sunrise High School in Guernsey. He has taught for 19 years. The award was based on his work with students, community members and veterans as he and his students accomplished many community service projects for Guernsey residents..

According to the VFW Department of Wyoming commander Dennis Miller of Gillette, “We are very proud of Troy and all the teachers who participated in the program. Their commitment to teach good citizenship to their students will be of great benefit to their communities as these students grow into informed and involved adults.”

Lynn W. Rolf, III, Director of VFW Programs, and coordinator of the national competition agreed with the state commander’s remarks: “These teachers are providing a great service to America. We hope this bit of recognition will encourage other educators to include citizenship activities within their curriculum. Their communities will be better for it.”

This year, participation exceeded expectations and program administrators expect the number of participants to continue to increase in 2018.