Students, parents, community members, and colleagues nominated more than 80 faculty, staff and administrators. Each nominee was then asked to submit an application. A selection committee made up of educators and business and community leaders then reviewed the fifty-nine submitted applications.

Paducah Tilghman Head Custodian C.W. Ligon was recognized as a finalist for the Cornelia Reece Unsung Hero Award. Morgan Elementary Technology Resource teacher Brittany Riley was a finalist for the Distinguished Faculty Award for grades K-5.

Dr. Anton Reece, president of WKCTC, also recognized Olivia Burr with a special award  to recognize her excellence in leadership and service to education.   Burr,  a retired life-long educator, served as the first Family Resource Center Coordinator in Paducah/McCracken County.