Nomination letter by Luke Jacobs, a 4th grader at Gates Elementary in Grand Island:

My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Steenson is the best teacher because we have American penpals that live on an Army post in Germany. We have penpals because she lived in Germany for about 32 years. She also lived in England for some years. Since she lived there, we learn about a lot of the culture in Europe. We sing in the morning. We sing and she plays the piano. We learn a lot of funky and cool songs such as Madelina Catalina Rosendina Waltendina Hogan Bogan Logan. She wants to have a clean and green earth. She has a club about that. It is called kids for saving earth. She saves plastic and tin cans in a big bag in a corner. When we sing in the morning, we even sing Every Day is Earth Day and Recycle Rap. We get to keep spider plants by a window. We water and take care of the plants. That is why Mrs. Steenson is the best teacher. If you come to our class, we will sing Madeline Catalina.

Watch this Golden Apple Award feature Friday on 10/11 News at 6.