Eastern Missouri NSDA Administrator of the Year
The Administrator of the Year honor recognizes a school administrator who has made a significant contribution to Speech & Debate education. No program is truly able to thrive without the knowledgeable support of administration. When administrators invest their time and talent into their school's Speech & Debate program, more students are able to access its incredible benefits.
2021 Administrator of the Year - Mr. Nick Gianino, Ladue Horton Watkins HS
As the Activities Director at Ladue Horton Watkins High School, Nick Gianino clearly values speech & debate, understands the activity, and actively supports the Talking Rams.
In his first year in the job, Nick made a point to attend the first speech & debate team meeting of the season. He introduced himself, let the students on the team know he was there to serve them, and then spoke enthusiastically about speech & debate, the benefits it provides, and his unwavering support for the program. The students at Ladue know their Activities Director cares about their activity, as he promotes them during pep rallies, visits them when hosting tournaments, and actively inquires as to how they do at tournaments. The students feel seen, appreciated, celebrated, and supported.
Behind the scenes, Nick ensures the Ladue program has the budget it needs, the staffing that it needs, and the on-the-ground support they need when last minute situations arise (like cancelling an overnight trip due to bad weather!). More importantly, as an administrator, Nick makes it a point to check in with students and coaches when they hit tough times. Nick understands that coaches frequently take on the emotional burdens of their students during tragedies; he is there to help support the staff during the tying times. Nick is an advocate for mental health and self-care and always makes time for coaches who need his support.
Without a doubt Nick has had a positive impact on the Talking Rams which is why Eastern Missouri NSDA is proud to name Nick Gianino the 2021 Administrator of the Year.
In his first year in the job, Nick made a point to attend the first speech & debate team meeting of the season. He introduced himself, let the students on the team know he was there to serve them, and then spoke enthusiastically about speech & debate, the benefits it provides, and his unwavering support for the program. The students at Ladue know their Activities Director cares about their activity, as he promotes them during pep rallies, visits them when hosting tournaments, and actively inquires as to how they do at tournaments. The students feel seen, appreciated, celebrated, and supported.
Behind the scenes, Nick ensures the Ladue program has the budget it needs, the staffing that it needs, and the on-the-ground support they need when last minute situations arise (like cancelling an overnight trip due to bad weather!). More importantly, as an administrator, Nick makes it a point to check in with students and coaches when they hit tough times. Nick understands that coaches frequently take on the emotional burdens of their students during tragedies; he is there to help support the staff during the tying times. Nick is an advocate for mental health and self-care and always makes time for coaches who need his support.
Without a doubt Nick has had a positive impact on the Talking Rams which is why Eastern Missouri NSDA is proud to name Nick Gianino the 2021 Administrator of the Year.
