MONTEVALLO-Marengo County School Superintendent Luke Hallmark has always taken a lot of pride in his work. In August, that hard work was honored.

Three Alabama educators were honored for their services and contributions to their schools, communities and profession at the University of Montevallo’s Graduate Honors Dinner last month.

Award winners included Hallmark, superintendent of the Marengo County Board of Education; Dr. Stafford L. Thompson, president of Enterprise/Ozark Community College; and Candy Mahaffey, principal of A.H. Watwood Elementary School.

Hallmark received the Kermit A. Johnson Outstanding Superintendent Award.

Hallmark said he was not expecting to be honored.

“It was truly a surprise to me to be honored,” Hallmark said. “I was very honored and very surprised.”

The award is given each year to an outstanding public school superintendent in recognition of his or her achievements and contributions to school, community and profession. This award is conferred in honor of Dr. Kermit Johnson, former president of Montevallo.

Hallmark said the award was an honor, but it was even more important because it gave him an opportunity to help a student.

“I think what I really enjoyed most was they gave me a scholarship to give to any student or graduate student who attended Marengo County schools to go to Montevallo,” Hallmark said. “It will pay their tuition and fees. To me, that is really the most rewarding thing of all.”

Hallmark has more than 17 years of experience in education. Before becoming superintendent of Marengo County Schools, he served as principal at Greensboro West Elementary School, coach and teacher at Demopolis High School, Marion Military Institute and Southern Academy.

Hallmark is also the past and present Marengo County Auburn Club president, Linden Rotary member, past Marengo County Historical Society board member, Presidential Advisory Council member for Marion Military Institute, School Superintendents of Alabama member, as well as a member of several other organizations.

With so many other things in his life Hallmark said it was important to have a strong staff behind him. He said he appreciated all they had done to help him throughout his career as Marengo Superintendent.

“It is certainly not all me,” Hallmark said. “It is a positive reflection of what we have been able to do as a staff. I have some great people to work with.”