Tim Speyer jumped and yelled "yes!" when he was told Wednesday afternoon that the Helena Education Foundation is recognizing him as a distinguished educator.

"This is what it's all about," Speyer told his sixth-grade art class at C.R. Anderson Middle School. "It's fabulous. I've always wanted this."

Members of the HEF spent two days this week surprising educators in the Helena School District of their nomination as a distinguished educator. This is HEF's sixth annual Celebration of Excellence, recognizing 53 students as either scholars or achievers and the teachers who have most impacted their school careers. The event is set for May 12 at the Great Northern Town Center.

This is the largest number of students the foundation has recognized as distinguished scholars, which is strictly based on the number of honors courses and their GPA.

"Distinguished scholars meet a high standard of commitment to not only honors and advanced placement coursework, but also a four-year commitment to a full course load, while maintaining a GPA of 3.7 or higher," HEF president Jon Satre said.

The high achievers represent a wide array of noteworthy accomplishments such as community service work or personal triumph over adversity. These students are nominated by teachers and selected by a committee.

Each student selects a teacher that has had the most significant influence on his or her educational experience.

Speyer was nominated by Andrea Christensen, a senior at Capital High School, who was his student for two years in middle school.

Choosing one teacher was no easy task for Christensen.

"I had a lot of good teachers telling me to reach beyond the stars," she said. "But he did something rare for me -- he opened up a new perspective of how I could draw. When I got into his class my drawings came alive, they looked right and not like some doodle."

Many teachers are moved to tears when notified of their recognition.

"For a kindergarten teacher, a middle school librarian and a high school counselor, not to mention 50 other educators, we were able to affirm that the work of public education is vibrant in Helena and extends beyond the walls of a traditional classroom," Lisa Cordingley, HEF event chair, said. "This can be the best thing that happens in a teacher's career."

Two other C.R. Anderson educators, Tana Cooper and Chuck Bozdog, were also nominated.

To see a list of all the distinguished educators and students, click here.

Reporter Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com