Submitted Photo Cassadaga Valley Social Studies teacher Wendy Dyment is pictured with former CVCS student Anna Grace Wenger. Wenger nominated her former teacher for the Singler Family Prize for Excellence in secondary school teaching.

A Cassadaga Valley Central School social studies teacher has been awarded the Singer Family Prize for Excellence in secondary school teaching.

The annual award was created in 2006 by Paul and Gordon Singer who established the Paul Singer Family Foundation to support the prize.

This award, given by the College of Arts, Science, and Engineering, is now a University of Rochester tradition during its commencement week.

Graduating seniors nominate high school teachers who have made a significant impact and difference in their lives.

Wendy Dyment was nominated by a former student, Anna Grace Wenger, an English and history double major senior at the University of Rochester.

The recipients were then selected by a committee that was led by the dean of the college, Dr. Jeffery Runner. Each of the recipients receives a cash award, and two plaques.

“Wendy Dyment is the reason I went to college and have become the passionate academic I am now,” Wenger said. “Her sophomore year global studies class changed everything for me. She was the first person I wanted to learn from, and I decided to be the student she deserved, starting to raise my hand to answer questions, staying after class to learn more about the topic, and being an active learner. She was patient, kind, always welcoming, yet firm. I know that there are many more students, just like me, that had their lives sculpted by this fantastically passionate woman in a small-town high school.”

The award also included a financial gift of $3,500 that was presented to each of the recipients’ schools. This year’s award ceremony took place May 12 at the University of Rochester. In addition to Dyment, Jeffrey Warzecha of Massachusetts, Jennifer Brakman of California, and Stephen M. Brown Jr. of Connecticut were selected.