Athens Staff Earns ESGR “Above and Beyond” Award

This past week, the staff at Athens High School was presented with an “Above and Beyond” award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) organization, nominated by Athens physical education teacher and coach Nick Lusk, who is also a Maritime Law Enforcement Specialist, Petty Officer 2nd class with the US Coast Guard. This Award is presented by ESGR State Committees to recognize employers at the local level who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act by providing their Guard and Reserve employees additional, non-mandated benefits such as differential or full pay to offset lost wages, extended health benefits, and other similar benefits.

According to Lusk, the Athens High School Administration Team has from day one supported his reserve duties and pride for our country. The Administration team is comprised of Principal- Dr. Lara Dixon, District Athletic Director-Tim Fulcher, Assistant Principal & Athletic Director- Bob Dowd, Assistant Principal- Michael Munaco and Assistant Principal- Kristin Meldrum. “The support started with hiring me as a full-time teacher, even knowing that at any time I can be called into Active Duty, then hiring me as the school's strength & conditioning coach and weight room supervisor, along with allowing me to volunteer as the assistant powerlifting coach.”

The “Above and Beyond” award is given in limited numbers by State Committees to employers who have had at least one of their supervisors/managers recognized with a Patriot Award (Dr. Dixon received the ESGR Patriot Award this past August), and who have signed an ESGR Statement of Support. State Committees are authorized maximum discretion in considering an Above and Beyond Award for Patriot Award nominations of smaller firms, those with no individual supervisors specified, and other similar situations.

Lusk feels proud to be encouraged by his employer and peers, who have supported him during recent deployments, most recently last spring when he was activated by Coast Guard Station Belle Isle in Detroit to support the Belle Isle crew during the COVID-19 pandemic. The station was running on limited crew members due to the restrictions of reduced workers allowed at the station at one time and personnel being quarantined. “When I informed my administration of my activation, they all supported me and showed their patriotic values. They all offered their support and thanked me for my service. This fall they again showed their patriotic values and love for our country and military members by allowing me to hang up an American flag and flags from each branch of the military in our weight room at the school.”

The respect is mutual, according to Dixon, who said “The Athens administration team is proud of Mr. Lusk and grateful for who is he is and his service both to our country and our students. Mr. Lusk is a great teacher, coach and person. We are honored and humbled by this recognition.”

Lusk concluded: “They never hold the fact that I can be deployed at any moment against me. They have even offered for me to join the School's Character Team, which has earned its State School of Character recognition within the 1st year of being established. I am truly honored to work in a building that is led by a team of individuals that are true patriots and have deep held American values, that they not only believe in but execute.”

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