In January 1992, Maurine Myers Dukes established the George Myers Award as a 67th birthday gift for her father, George Myers. Myers served as principal of Martin Meylin Middle School (MMMS) for 26 years. In the 1960s, the Lampeter-Strasburg (L-S) school board gave Myers carte blanche to design a junior high school program. Myers showed his innovation and successfully implanted the team teaching concept that is the foundation of MMMS' teaching model. Myers came to L-S with a military background. After becoming the principal of MMMS, he was often referred to as "General George" while the school was nicknamed "The Fort." His wife, Gladys "Ginger," was an L-S library assistant. Together, they had three children who attended L-S.

Myers presented the George Myers Award to the first recipient, Rebecca Badger, in June 1992. Ever since then, the award has been presented every year in Myers' honor. Each year, the MMMS faculty chooses an eighth-grader who best exemplifies the values Myers held in high regard. A plaque on the wall of MMMS reads, "Myers was a man who led by example and was willing to accept responsibility, but never hesitated to delegate authority to his team leaders. He lived by the rules and would always strive to do his best."

This year's recipient of the George Myers Award was Truman Horst. "I feel like it could have gone to a lot of other people, but I try my best to show respect to my teachers and help my classmates when they need it," said Horst. "I'd like to thank Jesus Christ and my family." Horst noted that he might pursue a career in physical therapy in honor of his younger sibling with special needs.

"To me, the award should be given to a student who leads by example, helps everyone, and is a caring person, and that's who Truman is," stated MMMS principal Jamie Raum. "From what I've heard from the nominations, not only is Truman a very intelligent student, but he also likes to help people." Raum explained that help from a peer is essential. "Studies have found that students learn better from their peers than from teachers, so when someone is willing to roll up his or her sleeves to help others out, it goes a long way."