Arkansas Hospitality Association Will Name Educator Winner
The state group will announce the 2026 Stars of the Industry award winners during a gala in Pine Bluff.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Awards
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Katherine Quinn of Yellville-Summit ISD is a finalist for the 2026 Stars of the Industry Educator of the Year Award. The Arkansas Hospitality Association will reveal the winner at an upcoming gala on October 15, 2026.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights secondary and post-secondary teachers who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hospitality, tourism, and culinary fields. This honor specifically celebrates those who have made a lasting impact on their students and local communities.
The awards program includes 15 distinct categories to honor excellence within the hospitality and tourism sector. Nominations also include candidates for the Maurice E. Lewis Lifetime Achievement and Silver Cup awards.
The players
Katherine Quinn
She is an agriculture teacher at Yellville-Summit ISD and a finalist for the Educator of the Year Award.
Arkansas Hospitality Association
The organization promotes the interests of the state's tourism and hospitality sector through professional awards and advocacy.
Roger Gollinger
He is a nominee for the Tourism Employee of the Year award.
Cody Jackson
He is a nominee for the Maurice E. Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award.
Clint Gaston
He is a nominee for the Silver Cup Award.
The details
Teachers are evaluated on their specific contributions to student development and their ongoing service to the community. Alongside educator awards, the organization will recognize industry professionals such as Roger Gollinger, who is nominated for Tourism Employee of the Year.
Timeline
The award winners will be announced on October 15, 2026.
Culture Shift
This event follows the annual recognition standards set by the Arkansas Hospitality Association's Stars of the Industry program. These awards reflect a broader societal effort to elevate vocational and career-focused education as essential components of the state's workforce development.
Residents can monitor local education news to see how the recognition of teachers like Quinn reflects back on Yellville-Summit school programs. These awards provide a benchmark for the quality of culinary and tourism instruction currently available to students across the state.
The takeaway
Celebrating educators in technical fields encourages students to pursue vocational careers in the tourism and hospitality industries. Recognition of these teachers helps foster stronger connections between the classroom and the local economy.
What happens next
The Arkansas Hospitality Association will host its awards gala and announce the winner for Educator of the Year on October 15, 2026, in Pine Bluff.
Further reading
Discover more about the state's professional honors at Arkansas Awards.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTLO.
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