BCHS presents annual awards
Published 2:34 pm Monday, September 5, 2022
Mike Harmon, right, receives the Distinguished Alumni Award from Boyle County High School Principal Mark Wade. Photo by Lance Gaither
Boyle County High School Principal Mark Wade presents Nina Kirkland with the Rebel for Life Award. Photo by Lance Gaither
Gayle Best receives the Rebel for Life Award from Assistant Superintendent Chris Holderman. Photo by Lance Gaither
LANCE GAITHER
lance.gaither@bluegrassnewsmedia.com
On Friday, the Boyle County Alumni Association handed out a lot of hardware at its annual tailgate party to honor the 2022 recipients of the Rebel for Life and Distinguished Alumni awards.
The recipients of the Distinguished Alumni awards were Nina Kirkland and Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts and 2022 gubernatorial candidate Mike Harmon.
Kirkland graduated in 1970 and started a career in real estate. Her accomplishments include opening the first Coldwell Banker Real Estate franchise in Kentucky as well as being a recipient of the Realtor of the Year Award, the Realtors President Award, the Heart of Danville “Heart of Gold” Award, the Danville Business and Professional Women ‘Business Equity’ Award and the Danville Board Realtors KAR Director Award.
Harmon was valedictorian of his graduating class in 1984 and went on to Eastern Kentucky University, where he majored math, statistics and theater. He entered politics in 1996 when he was elected to the state legislature representing district 54. He was elected as the state auditor of public accounts in 2015 and re-elected in 2019.
“I’m really honored,” Harmon said of the award from his alma mater. “I loved my time at Boyle County High School. I’m honored and humbled to receive this award.”
The two recipients for the 2022 Rebel For Life award were Gayle Best and Robbie Mayes. Best attended Perryville Elementary School and Boyle County High School. She studied elementary education at Eastern Kentucky University and got her first job as Perryville’s first kindergarten teacher. She has taught almost 1,600 students during a 49-year career at Perryville Elementary.
“Its a big honor,” Best said. “And I’m proud to receive it.”
Robbie Mayes is a retired announcer for Boyle County Schools. After he graduated from Boyle County in 1966, he attended Western Kentucky University and served in the Army for six years. He served on the Boyle County School Board for seven years.
The Rebel for Life award is presented to retired faculty and staff for their dedication to Boyle County Schools. The Distinguished Alumni award is to honor former students for their accomplishments after graduation.
