Amarillo High Educator One of 16 State Honorees

Posted Date: 06/03/2020

January 11, 2018—Amarillo High School Speech and Debate teacher Mellessa Denny is one of only 16 Texas educators chosen as a recipient of the Sponsor Excellence Award, by the University Interscholastic League (UIL).

This award is given to outstanding sponsors of UIL scholastic competitions who go above and beyond their duties to help students reach their fullest potential in their extracurricular activities.

“Mellessa is an excellent teacher who not only challenges her students to do their best, but builds relationships with them so that the students feel encouraged and empowered,” said Amarillo High School Principal David Vincent, who nominated Denny for the award.

Denny, who has a bachelor’s degree in speech communication, has been teaching speech and debate for the past 20 years, the last 13 of those spent at Amarillo High where a number of her students have participated in regional competitions each year, some even moving on to state tournaments.

“She is very engaged with many speech competitions and events so that students are involved and have the opportunity to participate,” Vincent said, “This not only requires time and effort on her behalf, but a lot of coordination has to take place between her and her peers and colleagues to make the events as productive as possible for all speech students.”

Educators are nominated for the UIL Sponsor Excellence Award by their school’s principal and/or district superintendent. Winners receive $1,000, as well as a trophy.