As the shroud of secrecy was lifted at White Oaks Elementary School surrounding the Milken award, the noise became intense as teacher George Weiner was named as one of the 100 winners for the coveted teacher recognition award of 2002.
Weiner's response to the students showed his dedication to the teaching profession.
"When you leave White Oaks, I hope you understand the world and understand people," he said.
A trademark of the Milken award, which is from the Milken Family Foundation, is the shroud of secrecy surrounding the announcement. No one but the inner circle of the Milken family knows the winners names and they keep it a secret until the last minute. The students and teachers at White Oaks were told to gather in the cafeteria for a program, highlighted by the Schools Superintendent Daniel Domenech's attendance, school board members and White Oaks second- grade choir.
"Everyone thinks they're coming to listen to the state superintendent for education," said Stephanie Germeraad, the Milken Family Foundation manager of media affairs.
Award presenter Lowell Milken stressed the importance of teachers. He remembered the influence teachers left on Milken and his brother Mike that they started this award program in 1985 that is now in 46 states around the country. Virginia first joined the program in 1999. Milken addressed the students, providing clues and building up the suspense as the students applauded their teachers.
"All the educators really appreciated your applause. I was able to pay back by creating an awards program," he said.
WEINER IS A FOURTH-GRADE teacher in the gifted and talented center at White Oaks. He created "Dr. Quizmo," which is featured on Fairfax County Public School's Red Apple 21 cable television station, and has appeared on television in other instructional programs. The "techno art" program and "phalange ball," are other creations of his. He sat throughout the ceremony on the side of the room, showing no sign that he was aware of the situation.
"This is a complete surprise," he said afterward.
Fern Milken, Lowell's mother, also attended the event. She travels with the entourage as much as possible.
"It's always a secret, we find them," she said.
White Oak principal John Tozzi started the ceremony by handing out magnetic flags to students who answered history and geography questions. Then the choir sang "This Land Is Your Land," but it wasn't until Lowell Milken mentioned the award, and selected students to hold numbers reflecting the amount of the money awarded that the excitement rose. He encouraged the students to pursue a teaching career.
"It's not just sport figures or stars that get recognized, teachers get recognition too," he said.
Rosey Grier, an ex-National Football League star who played with the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants, is part of the foundation. He attended the ceremony and asked the students a few questions as well. He came "just to marvel at the potential I see in them. Teachers' accomplishments are through other teachers," he said.
Grier also noted the sport-star comparison, stressing that the football star scoring all the touchdowns couldn't make it to that point on the field without some help.
"He couldn't be out there if there wasn't a teacher somewhere in the background," Grier said.
Fern Milken goes to many of the award ceremonies, which are all handed out in a one-week to ten-day period every year. She remembered one ceremony in which a teacher was sitting among students in the bleachers of the gym.
"One year I did 20 states, we do this in a week or 10 days. It's so effective when they're sitting in the stands," she said.
SO FAR, there have been 1,900 teachers honored with a Milken award. Cynthia Baird was the recipient last year. She is a teacher at Brentsville District High School in Prince William County. Baird noted how the teaching profession is under scrutiny occasionally and that was the case when she got the award.
"It came at a time when I really needed it," she said.
Weiner will now go out to California to accept his award. He has an idea where he is going to use the money as well, his wife wanted to take a trip to California.
"We're going now," he said but added, "somehow I'm going to use this award to my students' benefit," he said.
The Milken Family Foundation also recognizes the medical- research field in supporting basic and applied medical research, recognizing scientists and rewarding outstanding scientists in the area of prostate cancer and epilepsy. They also are committed to supporting basic health-care programs.