DANA PAPPAS HONORED WITH NFHS CITATION
Indianapolis, IN– New Mexico Activities Association Deputy Director Dana Pappas was honored on Monday with a National Federation of State High School Association Citation. The award was part of the NFHS Centennial Celebration during their 100thSummer Meeting. Pappas was one of twelve leaders in high school activity programs across the country honored at their annual luncheon.
An award designed to honor individuals who have made contributions to the NFHS, state high school associations, athletic director and coaching professions, the officiating avocation and fine arts/performing arts programs, the NFHS Citation is one of the most highly regarded achievements in high school athletics and performing arts.
“For me it’s really a representation of the officials in the state of New Mexico,” Pappas said after receiving the citation. “I’m deeply humbled and honored.”
Pappas is starting her 23rdyear with the NMAA. She serves as the Commissioner of Officials for the New Mexico Officials Association (NMOA). Pappas spends countless hours working officiating camps, clinics and forums. In addition to her officiating duties with the NMAA, Pappas is the event director for the State Choir and Concert Band, and staff liaison for the English Expo, Student Council and Scholastic Publications. She also oversees the NMAA Activities Council and, in 2016, founded the NMAA Student Leadership Advisory Council. Pappas has assisted with the development of a training and evaluation system for basketball officials in New Mexico, as well as combining coaches and officials’ clinics in basketball, wrestling and track and field. She also developed the NMAA’s Officials Appreciation Weeks during the 2017-2018 school year.
“At the end of the day, what I do is really driven by the love I have for the officials in our state,” Pappas said. “The officials are very special to me and they fuel my passion to work hard every day and I hope I am serving them well.”
