Magnolia Parkway Junior High School theatre educator Amy Medina has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2025-26 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Outstanding Theatre Educator Award.

The historic announcement places Medina among an elite group of just three middle-level theatre educators recognized nationwide, marking the first time in the history of the awards that the NFHS has expanded its performing arts accolades to honor junior high and middle school programs.

Since the Outstanding Theatre Award’s inception, the NFHS has traditionally recognized high school educators. The introduction of a middle school category this year highlights the critical foundation built during early adolescence—a foundation Medina has spent years perfecting.

"Mrs. Medina has a love for the theatre like no other," said Parkway Junior High Principal, Dr. Julia Venghaus. "She connects with her students on a level that allows them to be masters of their craft. I am always impressed by her abilities and creativity in bringing stories to life!"

Representing Section 6 (which encompasses Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma), Medina is being celebrated for her relentless advocacy, creativity, and structural impact on education-based theatre.

At Magnolia Parkway Junior High, Medina has built a thriving, inclusive program where students discover their voices and build lifelong confidence. Her influence, however, extends far beyond the campus stage.

Medina is a vital leader in the Texas arts community, serving as a University Interscholastic League (UIL) Contest Manager and Advisory Board member, where she directly helps shape statewide theatre policies. She is also heavily involved in the Texas Educational Theatre Association (TxETA), contributing to workshop leadership and the development of the state's educational reading lists.

With a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre and Education, Medina has dedicated her career to both mentoring the next generation of educators and empowering her students to achieve excellence through the competitive and collaborative world of speech and theatre.

The NFHS Outstanding Performing Arts Educator Awards have been celebrating premier speech, debate, and music directors since the late 1980s, adding the distinct theatre category three years ago. This year’s pool recognized a total of 77 individuals across music, speech/debate, and theatre from thousands of member schools nationwide.

Please join us in congratulating Amy Medina on this monumental, history-making national honor!