The NEED Project

"The Hanny Arram Center for Success (HACS), has been named the Nebraska Junior Level School of the Year and a Finalist for National Junior Level School of the Year by the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project for its student-led project, Importance of Energy Awareness in the United States.

The prestigious recognition honors outstanding student work and innovation in energy education and awareness. HACS students and staff have been invited to attend and be recognized at the 46th Annual NEED Youth Energy Conference and Awards in Washington, D.C., this June."

View this and all 2026 Youth Award Project winners at https://youthawards.need.org/youth-award-winners/

https://www.centralnebraskatoday.com/2026/05/15/hanny-arram-center-for-success-earns-state-recognition-for-energy-education-project/

Hanny Arram Center for Success earns state recognition for energy education project KEARNEY - The Hanny Arram Center for Success (HACS), has been named the Nebraska Junior Level School of the Ye...

Congratulations to Scott Valenta (St. John the Baptist Catholic School, Junior High Science Teacher) on being named the 2025 recipient of the Paul DeHart Hurd Award for Exemplary Middle Level Science Teaching and Leadership! 🎉

This award recognizes educators who demonstrate outstanding middle level science teaching and leadership in sharing their expertise with others.

Scott has been a valued member of the NEED community for many years as a teacher, facilitator, and friend, and we are so proud to celebrate this achievement. He recently received the award at the NSTA Conference in Anaheim, CA. It made the moment even more special to have it presented by fellow longtime NEED educator and friend, Kristin Slota, who was also a recipient of this award in 2017.

Please join us in celebrating Scott on this well-deserved honor! 👏