Dec 11, 2023 3 min read

South Fayette High School teacher Dr. Felix Yerace has been recognized by the National Association for Student Activities (NA4SA) with its highest honor, the 2023 National Earl Reum Award.

The distinction is given annually to someone who, through personal experience and expertise, encourages and inspires others in the field of student leadership, as well as is instrumental in student leadership training and who promotes student leadership within their state and at the national level.

Yerace is only the second recipient from Pennsylvania in the award’s 33-year history.

“I’m so glad to be able to represent South Fayette and our student government, as well as PASC, NASC and NASSP, and NA4SA, in working with adults who are daily making a difference in the lives of their students by helping them to become better leaders,” said Yerace.

“As classroom educators, we are tasked with teaching our students on particular subject matter, but I believe one of the greatest contributions we can make is by preparing our students for the real world.”

Receipt of the National Earl Reum Award highlights Yerace’s work on a local, state, and national level to promote and enhance student leadership development. Locally, Yerace partnered with the University of Pittsburgh to establish his leadership class at South Fayette as the first College in High School (CHS) leadership course in Pennsylvania. The class is now offered in 12 high schools across the state, allowing students to learn leadership in their classrooms along with college credit.

At the state level, Yerace is the Assistant Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils (PASC), which includes serving as the PA Coordinator for the U.S. Senate Youth Program on behalf of the state’s Department of Education. He is also co-director of the Advanced Summer Leadership Camp offered through PASC.

Nationally, he serves as the Education and Engagement Coordinator for NA4SA and oversees training programs for activity advisers and leadership class teachers. He has worked extensively with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), as a National Honor Society (NHS) State Summit Faculty Member, and in 2019, worked with NASSP’s National Association of Student Councils (NASC) to host the National Student Council Conference at South Fayette High School.

“Dr. Yerace is extremely deserving of this award,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michelle Miller. “Even with all of the phenomenal teachers we are fortunate to have at South Fayette, he stands out for his dedication and commitment to our students and their leadership opportunities.”

Yerace has been with South Fayette High School since 2005, where, among other classes, he teaches leadership and positive psychology courses. He is co-adviser to the high school Student Government, Interact Club, and SF BeWell. He also coordinates the high school’s annual trip to Washington, DC.

Yerace is the founder of the school’s renowned MiniTHON, which has raised over $1.4 million dollars during the past 10 years for Four Diamonds to combat pediatric cancer. He is also responsible for creating the Homecoming Carnival, Glow Run, and student representative program on the South Fayette School Board.