Support Rick Stenftenagel for LifeChanger award - Dubois County Free Press, Inc.

Mr. Rick Stenftanagel and his crew at Jasper High School. Rick was nominated for a Lifechanger Award. To help promote Rick, specially designed T-shirts were created that say, "The J Stands for Champion.” Rick often says that his middle initial, which is J., stands for champion. According to Asst. Principal Glenn Buechlein, the school has expanded it to mean Jasper stands for champion. — Mr. Rick Stenftanagel and his crew at Jasper High School. Rick was nominated for a Lifechanger Award. To help promote Rick, specially designed T-shirts were created that say, “The J Stands for Champion.” Rick often says that his middle initial, which is J., stands for champion. According to Asst. Principal Glenn Buechlein, the school has expanded it to mean Jasper stands for champion.

Jasper High School special education teacher Rick Stenftenagel is up for the Life Changer of the Year award from the National Life Group Foundation.

The school created these great t-shirts to support him in being named one of the top 15 Lifechangers this year. Those wishing to support him can do so at https://lifechangeroftheyearnominees.com/rick-stenftenagel/ by leaving comments and sharing his story.

The following are excerpts from the nomination information supplied to the LifeChanger organization.

Stenftenagel works with a a student. Photo from a Wildcat Weekly story by Reagan Hochmeister http://wildcatweekly.org/?p=5841.

Mr. Stenftenagel was nominated for his work and efforts with his special needs students. He goes out of his way to ensure that students have everything they need to be successful and comfortable while also challenging them to do their very best.

Following his own personal motto of “be a step above”, Stenftenagel always takes extra steps to assist others at all times.

He strives to instill the value of hard work in all his students and stresses the importance of working as a team. That spills over into their work at the school’s cafeteria where they are credited with ensuring it work efficiently.

Mr. Stenftenagel recently retired as Jasper’s varsity wrestling coach. He excelled as a coach and was inducted into the Indiana Wrestling Hall of Fame. His three decades of coaching young men has impacted hundreds, if not thousands, of student athletes. He continues to coach students in Unified Track, a program he helped to bring to Jasper High School. His commitment to the program is incredible. He ensures that students receive transportation to and from practices and competitions, and it is not uncommon for him to treat the students to ice cream.

He continues to coach students in Unified Track, a program he helped to bring to Jasper High School. His commitment to the program is incredible. He ensures that students receive transportation to and from practices and competitions, and it is not uncommon for him to treat the students to ice cream.

LifeChanger of the Year is an annual program that recognizes and rewards K-12 education professionals. Nominees must be full-time educators, teachers, administrators or any member of a school’s staff who makes a positive difference in the lives of students. Anyone – including administrators – can nominate up to three educators per academic year for LifeChanger of the Year. Students also are welcome to submit nominations, but need to have support of an adult if under the age of 18.

The top 15 winners will receive cash prizes for their schools and be in the running for the Life Changer Spirit Award, which goes to the nominee who garners the most community support. The grand prize winner receives $10,000 to split with the school.