Huntsman Award winners — 10 educators help change students' lives for the better

The regular school day isn't long enough for Laine Hall, judging from the additional time he devotes to beyond the classroom.

At the Riverton Public Library, he tutors reading at least 10 hours each week — this year totaling some 300 hours. Students who achieve the next grade reading level are rewarded with Happy Meals and Gatorade, hand-delivered to their homes by Hall.

Some of his first-grade students at Rosamond Elementary in Riverton have progressed to the fifth-grade reading level.

"I just love doing it — I don't have kids, so regard them as my kids and put a lot of effort into them," Hall said. "I get a lot of great interaction with them, can get kids excited about reading and it's fun for me to reward their progress."

He introduced the Riverton Community Heroes Award. Students and their parents nominate people who deserve recognition, and award the winners — a city librarian and the school janitor, among others.

"It lets kids use them as an example to aspire to that, too, and they can see how important it is to serve others in the community," Hall said.

Hall is on the Riverton Art Museum Board and also prepares a weekly newsletter listing community and school events, as well as an off-track calendar to encourage constant learning.

Lester B. Lee

Art teacher

Woods Cross High School

Davis District

As a noted artist and book illustrator, Lester Lee could have succeeded as a full-time professional artist. But opportunities that have come have not lured him away from his first love — teaching.

Lee's art classes are always large, and students demand to be in them. To Lee, every student is a unique being, brimming with potential and possibility. He sees the heart of the young artist and is gifted at bringing out their very best.

He shows students not only their artistic abilities but awakens them to their potential and encourages them to fulfill it. His belief in his students causes them to believe in themselves.

Lee also shares his talents in the community. He was chairman of the Bountiful/Davis Art Center for five years and has served on the board of the Bountiful Summerfest Celebration for 10. He has designed and built sets for Rodgers' Memorial Theatre for 11 years, with the help of high school assistants.

Lee can also be found painting displays in classrooms or hallways, helping students select and mount their best works for display, creating sets for school plays or leading his "Artwerks" outings to local shows and galleries.

Deonna V. Johnson

Volunteer