By: Ryan Duey

Photo Courtesy of USD 379

During Friday’s Homecoming parade, 5th-grade teacher Elizabeth Bott and the CCCMS and CCCHS Assistant Band Director, John Eyermann, were recognized as USD 379’s 2026 Horizon Award Recipients.

The Kansas Horizon Award Program, sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education, identifies and recognizes exemplary first-year teachers who demonstrate exceptional performance, distinguishing them as outstanding.

Bott grew up outside of Clay Center, graduating from Linn High School. She received her bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University. Bott actually student taught in the same classroom that she is currently teaching in.

Eyermann is originally from St. Louis, MO. He attended the University of Kansas, where he was a tuba player for the Marching Jayhawks. He works alongside Director Daniela Thrasher, and chose Clay Center as his home after hearing about the community’s connection to the arts and its programs.

As Horizon Award Nominees, Bott and Eyermann will now move to the regional competition, where four elementary classroom teachers and four secondary classroom teachers will be recognized. Regional winners will then be recognized during a luncheon at the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network conference in February of 2026.