LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Kirk Moore was nominated by Donna Kvapil.

"I have had the privilege of working with countless educators over the years. I have seen firsthand the extraordinary commitment teachers, coaches, administrators, and school employees make to their students—often far beyond their job descriptions," said Kvapil. "I don't make this nomination casually, and there is something important to know: I do not know Principal Kirk Moore. I am not a parent of a Pauls Valley High School student, and I have no personal connection to him or his school. I saw his story in my local news, and I couldn't stop thinking about it."

"I am nominating him because I am a mother. My sons are grown now, and I will always be grateful for every teacher who taught them, every coach who encouraged them, and every educator who helped shape the men they became. Thankfully, my boys never experienced the terror of a shooter entering their school. But I raised them in a time when active shooter drills became part of their school experience. Like so many parents, I was grateful they were being prepared while praying they would never need that preparation. For the families of Pauls Valley High School, the unthinkable happened," said Kvapil.

On April 7, an armed individual entered Pauls Valley High School and pointed a gun at students. Principal Moore ran from his office toward the danger. He tackled the gunman and held him down until another staff member could secure the weapon. In doing so, Principal Moore was shot in the knee. No other student or employee was physically injured.

"Every time we send our children through the doors of a school, we place tremendous trust in the people on the other side. We trust them to teach our children, encourage them, care for them, and return them safely to us at the end of the day," said Kvapil. "Over the years, I have met enough remarkable educators to know there are Kirk Moores on school campuses across this country—people who would do everything within their power to protect the children entrusted to them. I pray they are never tested. Kirk Moore was. He faced a test no educator should ever have to take, and when that moment came, he did not hesitate. He ran toward the children."

Every parent has a Principal Moore at their child's school, not because we should ever expect an educator to take a bullet for our children. We should not. But when confronted with an unimaginable choice, Principal Moore was willing to risk the ultimate sacrifice. Not simply because he was a principal fulfilling a responsibility, but because he was one human being protecting other human beings. In a world that can feel consumed by judgment, division, and disagreement, that kind of humanity is profoundly moving. In that moment, there were no differences to debate and no sides to choose. The children and staff of Pauls Valley HS were in danger, and Mr. Moore was willing to put himself between them and a gun.

Principal Moore has spent 37 years serving the schools of the community where he was born and raised. When asked about his actions, he said that when you're in education, you're there for the kids, "and you'll do anything for your kids." On April 7, he showed exactly what anything can mean. Mr. Moore spent 37 years changing lives. Then, on one terrifying day, he helped save them.

"I may never meet Principal Moore, and he may never know who I am," said Kvapil. "It's part of why I felt so compelled to nominate him. We don't have to know someone to be changed by their example. Sometimes, an act of courage reaches far beyond the people who witnessed it and reminds the rest of us of the very best of humanity. Principal Kirk Moore did more than change lives that day. He helped save them. He is a LifeChanger. He is a lifesaver. And from one mother who watched his story from afar and was deeply moved by his courage, sacrifice, and humanity, I cannot imagine anyone more deserving of being named a National Life Group LifeChanger of the Year."