"I told them ordination was more important," says Moore, who was ordained during the denomination's 121st Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan, last Friday evening.

The Iowa Department of Education nominated Moore for the award on the recommendation of the principal of the local middle and high schools. A letter from the department states:

You are receiving this award because you are a major contributor to the development of successful children, families, and communities in our state. Your contribution is an example of citizen service in action, and it does make a difference in the lives of children and schools.

Those contributions include tutoring, announcing seven sports, helping drive athletes to games, working with the show choir, and sending notes of encouragement to the students. "I just look at it as the things to do," Moore says. "You just show up and encourage them on."

The award surprised Moore. "I didn't even know there was such a thing."