Shelby Harriel has been named Humanities Teacher of the Year at Pearl River Community College.

Harriel presented a public lecture Thursday on "Forbidden, Hidden and Forgotten: Women of the Civil War."

Although Harriel teaches algebra at PRCC, she holds a bachelor's degree in history with a mathematics minor and a master's degree in education with emphasis in math and history. She earned both degrees at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Her interest in the female soldiers of the Civil War was sparked by their adventurous spirits and devotion to their respective causes. Many followed loved ones to war, she said.

"They gave their lives fighting for a society that dictated their place was in the home and for a government that didn't want their service," Harriel said. "Because they had to disguise themselves in order to serve, we'll never know how many of them are lying in graves marked 'Unknown,' their names and identities lost to history, their ultimate sacrifice unnoticed and unappreciated. It is truly tragic. And that's why I share their stories so that we can honor them and give them the respect that they were denied 150 years ago, so that they won't be forgotten."

Harriel attended PRCC in 1992-94 and was named the Outstanding Humanities Student in 1993. She played softball and was named All-State as a freshman and All-American as a sophomore. She currently competes in tennis leagues and earned a trip to Tucson, Arizona, for the 2012 national championships.

She taught math at Poplarville High school for 10 years before coming to PRCC in 2007.

Harriel lives in the Steep Hollow community and attends Community Baptist Church in Barth.

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