Drama Director William A. ``Bill'' Clary won Sharon High School's 1996 Elizabeth McMullen and Anna Grace Smith Teacher Appreciation Award.
Superintendent Donald B. Thomas and senior class President Heather Starkey presented the award as Clary received a standing ovation and roars of approval at Sharon's 123rd commencement Thursday night.
The annual award was begun by Milford Bohm, a 1939 Sharon graduate, to honor Misses McMullen and Smith and to recognize outstanding teachers.
He established a $20,000 trust fund, of which recipients receive a year's worth of interest _ about $1,000.
Recipients also receive an engraved teacher's desk bell.
Three community representatives select the teacher based on letters of recommendation from students and alumni.
Clary, 54, has been with the district for 30 years. He teaches art to students in grades 9-12 and has taught art to students in grades 4-12 over the years. He also teaches the theater production and children's theater classes at the high school.
As drama director, he has directed 63 plays and musicals including several through the school's Crisis Theatre Troupe. This spring, he presented his final musical, ``South Pacific.''
He also serves as adviser to the school's Masque and Mike Club and has taken hundreds of students, faculty, alumni and community residents on tours of New York City and to see Broadway performances.
In accepting the award, Clary offered a twist on the trademark pep talk he has given his students before every performance he has directed _ ``God loves you. I love you. And break a leg in everything you do.''
Clary holds a bachelor of business administration degree in marketing and statistics from Youngstown State University as well as a bachelor of education degree in art from YSU. He earned a master of education degree in guidance and counseling from Slippery Rock University.
He holds an art certificate from Chicago Art Institute and has studied theater at Slippery Rock, Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Point Park College, Pittsburgh.
He and his wife, Carol, live in Hermitage. They have two sons.
