Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation

Freida J. Riley Teacher Award

The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation presents the Freida J. Riley Teacher Award to an American teacher who works with a physical disability, teaches in an especially challenging educational environment, or has performed a heroic act by making an exceptional, personal or physical sacrifice on behalf of students. In 2002, the Foundation's Board of Trustees increased the award from $5,000 to $10,000.

The award is named after Freida J. Riley a math, chemistry and physics teacher during the early space race era of the 1950s and early 60s at Big Creek High School in Coalwood, West Virginia. While battling Hodgkin's disease, she inspired her students to overcome the limited opportunities of their era and environment to aspire to fulfill their dreams. Miss Riley died at age 31.

Miss Riley had a tremendous influence on her students from McDowell County, West Virginia--Homer Hickam, Jimmy Carroll, Roy Lee Cooke, Willie Rose and Quentin Wilson--whose lives and their desire to launch rockets were depicted in the novel the Rocket Boys, written by Homer Hickam, and the subsequent 1999 feature film October Sky. The "Rocket Boys" were the inspirational speakers at the 1999 National Gallery. Their obvious devotion to their teacher, after more than 40 years, was the catalyst for sponsoring an award honoring educators.

2008 Freida J. Riley Teacher Award Nomination

Please download the official Nomination form for the 2008 Freida J. Riley Teacher Award by clicking below. The completed Nomination forms must be received by the Foundation by 5:00 p.m., Monday, February 4, 2008. Emailed, faxed or late Nominations will not be accepted.

The Deadline for Nominations is Monday, February 4, 2008.

2008 Freida J. Riley Nomination Form [pdf]

If you have any questions, please call the Foundation at (315)258-0090 or email your inquiry to judithmscolumbus@cs.com.