Local teacher wins $7K in TV contest

Abraxas High School teacher Bob Lutticken is not dwelling on his loss in a television competition.

Lutticken, who teaches biology, geoscience and agriculture at the high school, was one of four finalists in the “Live with Kelly and Ryan” 2021 Top Teacher Search competition. “I think (me not winning) was a disappointment to a lot of people,” he said, adding Abraxas staff and students were excited about the competition. “... But eventually they realized, it’s an honor to be that close and it shined a bright light on Abraxas and the garden.”

He added the disappointment of not winning the competition was short-lived, “just as the excitement of winning would be.”

Though not the top winner, Lutticken said he received a $5,000 prize for himself. He also received a $2,000 Donorschoose gift card for the Abraxas school garden from Sonic. The funds for the garden will be used on operational expenses, including fish food, seeds, irrigation equipment and shade cloth. “There are all sorts of reoccurring bills that really never end,” Lutticken said.

The competition winner was Krista Pontius, an agriculture teacher from Greenwood High School in Millerstown, Pa. As the winner, she received $10,000 for herself and a $10,000 Donorschoose gift card from Sonic.

As a finalist, Lutticken was interviewed on “Live with Kelly and Ryan” on May 5. Due to the show being filmed on the East Coast, Lutticken said he arrived at Abraxas at 5:45 a.m. to get ready for the virtual interview. It was easy and felt relaxed, he added. His interview is available to watch online at tinyurl.com/ Boblutticken.

Bob Lutticken