South Callaway educator earns recognition from FBLA, peers

Polly Burre has been a long-standing fixture in business classes and the Future Business Leaders of America at the South Callaway school district, so it's only fitting that she be recognized for it at the end of her three-decade career. Burre, who plans on retiring after next school year, has earned the Outstanding Local Advisor Award from FBLA for the state of Missouri this year.

The award, designed to honor local advisors who have "made outstanding contributions to the association at the local, state and national levels," is given every year to local advisers with 10 years of service. The adviser for the state receives nominations from local chapters, and judges then determine the winner based on a series of criteria, ranging from extent of participation in conferences at state and national level to contributions to local, state and national projects. Out of the more than 2,750 members and advisers representing 426 FBLA chapters in the state participating in conferences April 22-24, Burre received the coveted prize.

"The whole thing is embarrassing, because you're just doing your job," said Burre. "They nominated me without telling me, and it really surprised me. I'm not one who likes to be in the spotlight. It doesn't feel like anything that should receive an award, it's just something you do. But I feel very honored that they thought that much of me."

Among those who nominated Burre was her co-adviser, Jasmine Foster. Foster has been at South Callaway for six years, and has looked up to Burre since.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.