WMS/WHS Vocal Director Hunter Boe receives 2019 Howard Hanson Award!
City honors Mr. Boe for his dedication and commitment to the cultural and performing arts
Launch the media gallery 1 playerWahoo native and famous composer Howard Hanson has a lasting legacy for his commitment to the cultural and performing arts. Luckily, Wahoo is blessed to have had many community members who, over the years, have worked non-stop and devoted their lives to that same mission.
In honor and memory of Hanson, each year the city of Wahoo recognizes a community member for that same commitment. This year, a WPS instructor has topped the list of contenders.
The winner of the 2019 Howard Hanson Award is Wahoo Middle/High School Vocal Director Hunter Boe, who has made quite a name for himself in his 2 1/2 years teaching in Wahoo.
At its recent awards ceremony, the city noted that Boe has amassed many accomplishments for himself and the students he teaches, all in a short period of time. He was praised for his implementation of elementary show choir camps, the high quality of his middle and high school show choirs (which consistently earn 'excellent' and 'superior' ratings at competitions), and his state award-winning musicals, which he co-directs with Mrs. Cherie Johnson.
In addition, thanks to Boe's efforts and connections, the UNL Big Red Singers are frequent performers on the WPS Performance-Learning stage.
"Mr. Boe is an excellent ambassador for music in our schools and in our communities," commented WPS Superintendent Brandon Lavaley. "I could not think of a more deserving individual to receive this award."
Wahoo Middle School Principal Marc Kaminski echoed those thoughts.
"Mr. Boe is a rising star in education," Kaminski stated. "He shows a tremendous amount of commitment and hard work in the classroom everyday. The vocal music program in our district is stronger than ever with participation and competitiveness, which is a direct reflection of his ability to connect with students."
German philosopher and composer Friedrich Nietzsche once said that life without music would be a mistake. There's not doubt about that, and there's no doubt that the lives of our students, as well as many across the community, have been enriched because of Boe's passion and dedication.
Thank you Mr. Boe for everything you do to make music an integral part of our kids' education, and congratulations on this much-deserved honor!
Howard Hanson