After several years with no program, music once again fills the halls of Girard Middle and High School thanks to the vision and leadership of former Girard student Meredith Reid.   

Reid, who earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in music from Kansas State University, was hired by the Girard district to reestablish the choral music program that was nonexistent when she herself attended the school years earlier. In just five years, she has developed an award-winning program that competes regularly in state competitions and performs throughout the Girard community.  

Nearly all her high school soloists have received top ratings at regional and state competitions. Six of her students were selected for the Kansas All-State Choirs, and one student was selected to join the prestigious Kansas State University Summer Choral Institute, a highly selective program that only admits 48 students across the country each year. Her choir also received the “superior” rating this past school year. 

Two years ago, she started a community choir in her hometown of Girard called, “Generations,” comprised of alumni, community members and anyone who loves singing but doesn’t have the opportunity to sing in a choir. The choir rehearses and performs with the high school choir, collaborating on concerts twice a year. 

Because of her dedication to her students and community, Reid was awarded the 2024-25 Milken Educator Award on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at an all-school assembly.  

“We are so pleased to see Meredith recognized for her tremendous contribution to her students and to the Girard community,” said Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Watson. “Her work not only to restore the school’s choral music program but to achieve state and national opportunities for her students and bring that pride to her community is what excellent teaching looks like.” 

Reid’s principal, Tim Davied, pulled her aside before Christmas break and told her the school would be getting a visit from Dr. Watson. Davied asked Reid for her choir to perform, not knowing what exactly the performance was for. 

After remarks from Davied, Watson and USD 248 Superintendent Todd Ferguson, Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop announced Reid as this year’s Kansas recipient. 

When Reid heard her name, she said she was completely overwhelmed. 

“The sweetness of the moment to have my choir there with me and all my students there really means a lot to have them be a part of this day,” she said. 

Reid worked as an assistant at the Lowell Milken Center in Fort Scott for several summers, interacting with Milken educators, not knowing one day she would become one.  

“As we all know, teachers are incredibly important in shaping students’ lives and I can say as an alumnus of this school, there are still teachers here that shaped my life and inspired me and never did it for recognition. But it’s important for our students to see how important those people are in their development as a human being and as they go out into the world.” 

Reid comes from a family of educators. The school’s auditorium is even named after her grandfather, John “Jack” Shireman, who was superintendent of Girard USD 248 for several years.  

“It was really a natural transition looking into teaching,” she said. “When I was in middle and high school, I loved music. I loved singing. There wasn’t an opportunity here at Girard for singers at that time. So, I feel strongly that students in a rural area should have the opportunity to be in a high-caliber musical ensemble.” 

Reid says her “why” is when she sees the students come into her room and sees how they’ve grown. 

“When I see students who have started out so young, and I get to see their progress all the way through until they walk across the stage and graduate, it’s an incredible feeling and an incredible honor to guide them through that,” she said. “The relationships are what really hold me fast in my school with my students. They’re incredible people and they put incredible effort in. So, I feel that I can do the same to give back to them.” 

Outside of school, Reid serves as a local officer in P.E.O., a nonprofit organization that helps women pursue education; serves as board secretary for the American Choral Directors Association; and has been involved with the Kansas Music Educators Association, serving as southeast Kansas choral chair. 

The Milken award comes with a $25,000 reward that Reid can use however she wishes. Reid said she would love to take her four-year-old daughter to Disney World with her husband and not worry about the expenses. Reid also will get to attend an all-expense paid Milken Educator Award Forum in Los Angeles later this year.