Horn/Walter Awards

2025 Nominations are OPEN!

Each year, SST 2 has the honor and privilege of awarding the R.A. Horn Outstanding Student Achievement Award and the Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator Award.

The 2025 award nominations open on January 6, 2025 and close February 28, 2025. Follow this link for the streamlined nomination forms. Nominate a student with a disability for the R.A. Horn Award and/or an educator for the Franklin B. Walter Award today!

The R. A. Horn award is presented to one exemplary student with a disability from each of Ohio’s 16 State Support Team regions. Established by the Ohio Department of Education in honor of the late Dr. Raymond A. Horn, Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction, this award recognizes students’ outstanding achievements. Acknowledged as a national leader in the field of special education, Dr. Horn devoted more than 60 years of service to improving the quality of life and learning for students with disabilities.

The Franklin B. Walter award is given to an outstanding educator or team from each of the 16 State Support Teams in Ohio. Awarded to recipients who have made extraordinary contributions to the education of students with disabilities, this award is given in honor of the late Franklin B Walter, Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1977 until 1991, a post held longer than any other state superintendent in Ohio’s history. With over 50 years of service as a teacher and administrator, Dr. Walter’s leadership is evident in many of Ohio’s quality educational initiatives and programs, including the development of the nation’s first statewide plan for children with disabilities.

Past RA Horn Recipients

2024 Abigail Schoder, Sandusky City Schools

2023 Michael Uher, Perkins Local

2022 Lillie Sorok, Midview Local
2021 Preston Drain, Avon Local
2020 Morgen Hall, Midview Local
2019 Joseph Schultz, North Ridgeville
2018 Pablo Oquendo II, Lorain City
2017 Kyle Bayer, North Ridgeville
2016 Arjun Patel, North Ridgeville
2015 Mathew Hall, Perkins Local
2014 Seth Muck, Avon Lake
2013 Audrey Custilow, Amherst
2012 Juan Carlos, Amherst

2011 Robert McFadden, Avon Lake City

2010 Andrew Dodd, Perkins Local

2009 Elna Wright, Elyria City Schools

Past FB Walter Recipients

2024 Kristin Dickerhoff, Taylor Blascak, Jennifer Hakko, Jamie Novak, Murray Ridge School

2023 Keystone Elementary Team, Keystone Local

2022 Sheffield/Sheffield Lake City Brookside Intermediate Team

2021 Jason Steadman, Clearview High School

2020 Prospect Elementary Team, Elyria City Schools

2019 Bethany Shaw, Midview Middle School

2018 Westview Elementary Team, Avon Lake City Schools

2017 Midview Middle School Team, Midview Local Schools

2016 Sandra de Rivero & Elena Mulholland, Lorain City Schools

2015 Robin Hasselbach & Allison Leitz, North Point ESC

2014 Windsor Elementary Team, Elyria City Schools

2013 Midview Middle School 7th Grade Team, Midview Local Schools

2012 Midview East 6th Grade Team, Midview Local Schools

2011 Katy Innes & Julie Netzel, Amherst Exempted Village Schools

2010 Tara Greiner, North Ridgeville City Schools

2009 North Ridgeville Early Childhood Learning Center Team