Perry County Educator Receives Sagamore of the Wabash
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA beloved educator in Perry County has received one of the state’s highest honors. Ray Niehaus, a student entrepreneur mentor at Perry Center Jr./Sr. High School, this week received the Sagamore of the Wabash, which is given to “those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state or to the governor.”
Niehaus began his career in education in 2014 as a Project Lead The Way teacher at Pike Central High School in Pike County, coming from the defense and electronics industry. He was presented with the award during a ceremony at Perry Central.
Among his students’ accomplishments is winning an MIT humanitarian contest for designing and constructing a disaster relief shelter. His students had the opportunity to meet President Barack Obama as a result.
“The students are the most important part,” said Niehaus. “To see them have an opportunity to do things they never have before is just fantastic and I just can’t stress enough it’s students that really drive what I do. As long as there are students out there, I’ll continue doing it.”
Niehaus’ students and colleagues thanked him in a video shown during the ceremony: