Marilyn Moore receives Kiwanis award

Originally published on: October 16, 2009

Dr. Marilyn Moore, Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent for Instruction, has received the Kiwanis Club of Lincoln Award for Distinguished Service.  According to Kiwanis, Moore’s “determination and leadership to do the right thing for young people have made a great mark in the Lincoln community.”

Kiwanis Club member Robert FitzSimmons said, “Marilyn Moore was an early supporter of the high school level Science Focus Program, known as Zoo School, at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo.  From this initial support, the Kiwanis Club of Lincoln has maintained an outstanding Kiwanis Key Club as a result of the focus program.”

Barb Jacobson, Instruction-Director-Curriculum for Lincoln Public Schools, said,  “Marilyn Moore is the person who speaks for the children and for so many of us as she impacts lives across this community.”

In an essay written years ago, Marilyn stated,  “They have only one chance to be a kindergartner or a fifth-grader or a sophomore, only one chance to be a growing, developing, learning child.”

The Kiwanis International motto is “Change the world, one child, one community at a time.”

“That description is highly fitting for Dr. Moore for her outstanding and dedicated service to the Lincoln school system and the community for the 22 years she has served as the Associate Superintendent for Instruction.  While it is one community, her educational guidance touches not only one child, but also 34,500 K through 12 students on an annual basis.”

Moore grew up on a farm near Wilsonville, Nebraska, where she still has her roots in the soil as a family farm partner with her brother, Randy.  Her volunteer leadership positions have included, among others, past President of the Lincoln Children’s Museum, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Bryan LGH Medical Center Systems, past President of the Lincoln Action Program, and a board member of Junior Achievement, as well as Lincoln’s Symphony.  She is also an active lay leader of Saint Paul Methodist Church.

Kiwanis has recognized extraordinary service to the city, state, nation and the world since 1922.  Eighty-five awards have been presented to date; Dr. Phil Heckman received the award in 2008.