‘Absolutely surreal’: Horry County teacher surprised with prestigious award

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) - A Horry County charter school teacher received the prize of a lifetime on Thursday morning when she was presented with a prestigious award.

Sarah Vicini, a social studies teacher and instructional coach at Coastal High School, was announced as the winner of the Milken Educator Award.

It’s an award that is only given to 75 teachers each year and it comes with a $25,000 prize. But it’s not an award teachers can apply for, and it’s not even an award teachers know they’re getting until their name is announced.

Vicini’s was surprised with the Milken Educator Award during what appeared to be an ordinary school assembly.

“The moment I heard my name I was, first and foremost, absolutely surreal, but then to hear the kids cheering for me I think made everything make a little bit more sense because that’s why I do what I do,” said Vicini.

Vicini has been at the charter school along Palmetto Pointe Boulevard for four years. She said she loves to help her students but didn’t realize her passion would come with such an incredible award.

But she wasn’t the only one surprised.

The Coastal High School students had no idea why they were called to the assembly but were overjoyed when they found out the reason.

Miah Serrano, a Coastal High School student who has had Vicini for three years, said hearing her favorite teacher’s name just strengthened her love and appreciation for her teacher.

“When I first heard her name I was like, ‘Oh my god this is amazing,’ and I love that she got recognized for all the hard work she does,” Serrano said.

Kyrie Boos, another one of Vicini’s students, said she demonstrates one key trait that has had an impact on her and her classmates.

“She respects every single student, even the ones that don’t behave well. She respects them, she believes in them, she trusts us,” Boos said.

Vicini will attend a conference in June in Los Angeles, Calif. where she will meet other Milken Educator Award honorees. As for the $25,000 prize, she will be ale to spend it on whatever she wants.

But Vicini said that while the award, recognition, and money are all great, she does what she does for her students.

“I want to be that adult that kids look back on and say she’s the reason why either I didn’t give up, B. I continued to work my hardest or C. determined what my passion is,” Vicini said.

The Coastal High School teacher will also receive a lifelong membership to the Milken Educator Network so she can collaborate with fellow recipients and further her career in K-12 education.

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