Bekki Galloway was honored last Wednesday night as the Fayette R-III School District’s 2026 Distinguished Citizen of the Year award during the annual Board of Education Awards ceremony Wednesday evening in the Fayette High School gym.

Fayette Superintendent Brent Doolin said it was an honor to recognize Galloway, who over the past three years has become an indispensable asset at Laurence J. Daly Elementary School. She personally remodeled the preschool pickup area and the wooden train, supplied hands-on scientific materials for first-grade life cycle units, and worked closely with the Tree Board, the Art Department, and the AWE Book Distribution Program.

“Her efforts have consistently bridged the gap between the classroom and the community,” he said. “Her selflessness, organization, and collaborative spirit make her a truly deserving recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award.”

Galloway has served twice on the Fayette Board of Aldermen and currently serves on the city’s Tree Board and Park Commission and has been an advocate for animal welfare in Fayette for decades. She spearheaded the reestablishment of Fayette’s Tree City USA status and dedicates hours volunteering each week to maintaining the city’s many trees throughout town and in the city park.

The district also recognized high school math teacher Ryan Atkins as the DESE Regional Teacher of the Year, sponsored by the Lincoln Public School Memorial Teacher of the Year commi,ttee. Atkins began teaching at Fayette in 2023 and quickly established himself as an exceptional educator.

“He consistently goes above and beyond to support struggling students, takes great pride in their achievements, and works collaboratively with middle school math teachers to strengthen instruction at earlier grade levels. His influence reaches far beyond his own classroom, making a lasting impact on both students and fellow staff members,” Doolin said. “Mr. Atkins exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding teacher. He is an exceptional educator, a collaborative leader, and a tireless advocate for student success.”

Ryan and his wife, Nichole, also own Fireside Bakes & Brews, Fayette’s popular coffee shop, a block off the downtown square.

The ceremony also recognized three retirees for their years of dedicated service to the district: Sandy Collins, Carrie Oakley, and Therese Stevens. The board also honored staff members who reached significant service milestones, including Elizabeth Betts, Chara Kee, Destiney Rice, Jennifer Shepard, and Leon VanDyke (5 years); Susan Craig, Mallory Gose, and Kylie Hedges (10 years); Holly Rhode and Tiffany Felten (20 years); and Amy Valencia (25 years).

The district also presented Board of Education Awards to students in grades six through 12 who maintained a cumulative grade-point average of 3.45 or higher for the first three quarters of the current school year.