On Jan. 4, Graham-Kapowsin High School's Daffodil Princess, Kori Hinkle (right in photo), honored her senior Army JROTC instructor, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Meray, with the "Educator of the Year" award.

Throughout Pierce County, there are 23 schools that participate in the Daffodil Festival that have their own Daffodil Princesses who represent their schools and choose a teacher for their "Educator of the Year."

Meray was chosen because of his history of performing above and beyond what the classroom calls him to do.

While he encourages all of his students to value and expand their learning, he is also in the process of enhancing his own knowledge by taking college courses. He pushes his students to be the best that they can be, making sure they're getting good grades, and offering his help when they need it.