There’s no doubt that Ben Hian, a physical education teacher at the Nierman Preschool in La Jolla, Calif., loves to run. The 27-year-old from Encinitas won the Angeles Crest 100-Mile Endurance Run last month. He crossed the finish line in 18 hours and 50 minutes. Though that didn’t beat his personal best of 14 hours and 16 minutes, it still brought him victory.
Mr. Hian, who runs about 12 races a year--all “ultra marathons” that range from 50 to 100 miles done on trails--said he is no fan of the standard marathon, which is only 26.2 miles. “I like the trails, not the flat road,” he said.
He uses the experience that has helped him win 20 such races to teach physical education to prekindergarten students at the private preschool in suburban San Diego. He also works with students in local after-school sports programs.
The National Association of State Boards of Education has honored three state board members with its annual Distinguished Service Award. They are Marjorie Murray Medd of Maine, Jay M. Robinson of North Carolina, and Arizona’s James A. Ullman. The Alexandria, Va.-based organization has also honored Carolyn Warner, the former Arizona superintendent of public instruction, as Policy Leader of the Year. NASBE, which represents the nation’s state and territorial school boards, announced the awards this month.
The Corporation for National Service has named Robert Rogers the chairman of its board of directors. The nonpartisan board sets policies and approves funding for federally sponsored service programs engaging over 1 million Americans, including the AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America efforts. Mr. Rogers is the chairman and chief executive officer of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a Kansas City, Mo.-based philanthropy dedicated to youth development and entrepreneurial leadership.
--ADRIENNE D. COLES acoles@epe.org
