Jupiter High School history teacher Lynn Hughes has been nominated for the esteemed University of Chicago's Outstanding Teacher Award. The award has been in existence for 30 years and entering freshman are invited to nominate an educator who has changed them, challenged them or helped them along the path toward intellectual growth. Ms. Hughes has been teaching history for 31 years, graduating from Cornell University in 1968 with a major in Government and Politics and a minor in South East Asian Affairs. "I am a child of the 1960's; I caught the idealism of that period, and wanted to give back," said Ms. Hughes. "I have always been motivated to make whatever I am teaching relevant to the students. To that end, I tape the news every night, and use it the next day to show an application of what they are learning. Every Friday is dedicated to current events. I always challenge students to back up their beliefs with sources, or an examination of where the feelings came from. So I feel very gratified both that a former student appreciated what they gained from my approach, and gratified that the university chose to recognize me for doing it."

As a teacher at Jupiter High School for the last 24 years, Ms. Hughes taught Advanced Placement (AP) American History for a number of years and was Social Studies Department Chair for 14 years. "Lynn Hughes goes above and beyond her subject material. She is one of the most compassionate and understanding teachers I have ever worked with," according to Jupiter High School Principal Paula Nessmith.

At the end of this school year Ms. Hughes is retiring but that hasn't diminished her dedication to academic excellence, "I'm having a wonderful, challenging year. I still get up every morning ready to go to work; the interaction with students energizes me."