PEETZ, Colo. -- In a town the size of Peetz, the community is defined by its school, and the success of each is defined by its leadership.

Peetz Plateau School District board president Shauna Reker was recently recognized by the Colorado Association of School Boards. She was recognized for her dedication and contributions to the Peetz school district.

The recognition was made August 14 in Holyoke. She said the award took her by surprise.

"I did not know I was being nominated for that award. My superintendent said 'hey, can you come to this meeting?' and, you know, we go to some of these meetings and so I did not know until the end of the meeting when the award was given to me that I was up for that, or going to be receiving that award," Reker said.

She was nominated by Peetz Superintendent Jeff Durbin. The award is recognition for her leadership on the board, Reker said.

She was encouraged to seek election on the school board by her peers: friends, teachers and administrators, and the superintendent. She is nearing the end of her first term on the board.

"I was actually encouraged by the superintendent at the time. I had been asked several years earlier. My kids were younger. It was a little bit crazier at the time. I do have three kids. I have elementary, junior high and high school. So this last round I've had some teachers and administration kind of prod me," she said.

She is nearing the completion of her first term and has submitted the paperwork to seek re-election.

The CASB McGuffey Award is a prestigious honor from the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) that recognizes dedicated, passionate, and unique school board members who go above and beyond to serve their communities and students. The award celebrates board members with outstanding commitment to education, demonstrated by their passion, service to all children, and impactful contributions to their districts.