Saint Joseph school superintendent Melody Smith has been honored for her support of the military and their families. General Stephen Cotter of the Missouri National Guard presented the Patriot Award and the Above and Beyond Award to the superintendent at last night’s school board meeting.

The Above and Beyond Award is given on a limited basis to those who go beyond the legal requirements for supporting military families. The Patriot Award was awarded after Smith was nominated by the spouses of two soldiers deployed overseas.

The nomination says “the impact of her actions has been fundamental to opening up dialogue in schools and classrooms for the needs and differences in the lives of military children and their families’ circumstances.”