Area high school students who do well academically will be recognized with a new award beginning this year. 
 The Southeast Nebraska Academic Excellence Award will be presented to students from participating schools that score highly on their A-C-T or S-A-T exams. 
 Falls City High School Principal Gale Dunkhas has helped to develop the award, as he explained this past week to the Falls City School Board.  Dunkhas says with Falls City Public Schools not being a member of a conference, he feels students don’t always get the recognition they deserve for the work they do in the classroom – and this award is a way to provide some recognition.  (play audio   :34)
 The participating school will receive medals to present to seniors who have achieved an ACT score of 26 or higher, or an SAT score of 1170 or higher.  If a student takes the test more than once, Dunkhas says their highest score will be recognized.  (play audio  :20)
 Students who score a 26 or better on the ACT during their freshman, sophomore, or junior year will be eligible for an Academic Excellence Certificate, with seniors awarded medals.
 Dunkhas worked with administrators from Falls City Sacred Heart, HTRS, and Auburn to develop the award.  Like Falls City, Auburn is not a member of a conference, and Dunkhas says the administration of Auburn High School was excited to be able to provide the recognition for their students.  (play audio  :16)
 The first Southeast Nebraska Academic Excellence Awards will be presented this spring.