This distinction is granted every year, to honor educational professionals

With 54 years of dedication to education and 60 years of Marist religious life, math teacher Pedro Alípio Heck, better known as Brother Alípio, received on October 15 the title of ?Educador Emérito? of 2007, from the hands of Yeda Crucius, Governor of Rio Grande do Sul. Along with him, five other teachers received the same distinction.

This recognition is given annually and is rewarded to educational professionals who have demonstrated relevance in the quality of their work. The official presentation was made in Porto Alegre, in the Salón Alberto Pasqualini, of the Piratini Palace, seat of the state government, coinciding with Teachers? Day. Brother Alípio was representative of the Regional Council for Education, as well as the city of New Hamburg, the Institute of Marist Brothers and the Colegio Pío XII.

Born on May 5, 1925, he taught until 2002, and currently, at the age of 82, is still dedicating his life to teaching. A native of São José do Hortêncio, District of São Sebastião do Cái at the that time, he began his work as a teacher in Bom Principio and and always taught in Marist centers.

?I will have to share this honor with the Congregation and with the thousands of students whom I?ve had the opportunity to guide,? Brother admitted.

In the year 2000, he was awarded the title « Friend of New Hamburg. » Brother Alípio replied to the award with the calmness and serenity which his years as Marist Brother and educator had supplied him. He said that the education system has certainly gotten better with the passage of years. Yet, he insisted, those who wish to commit themselves to a life of teaching ?ought to have the charism for it, must study a lot, and must treat their students with respect.?

The teachers who were honored for meritorious service had given more than twenty years? service. They were chosen by a committee formed of representatives from: the State Education Secretariat; the Union of Private Teaching Establishments; the National Union of City School Directors; and the Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations. The selection of the honorees was based upon the candidate?s life, the course of the candidate?s career, and its influence upon the civic community.

Present at the awards ceremony were: Brother Lauro Francisco Hochscheidt, Provincial of the Rio Grande do Sul; Brother Luiz José Gerhardt, Assistant Director of the Province?s Council for Communication and Marketing; Brother Sandro Baruffi; the administrative staff; the Marist Brothers? community of which Brother Alípio is Director.