Past Visionary Award Honorees

SYTA Youth Foundation Honors Bud Geissler with the Visionary Award

Each year, the SYTA Youth Foundation presents its Visionary Award to an individual in the conference host city who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to enriching students’ lives through travel, and to advancing the student travel industry through education, volunteerism, and community service. This year, that honor goes to Bud Geissler.

For more than two decades, Geissler has championed the belief that every journey can shape a young person’s future. His service to SYTA and the Foundation spans every level of involvement — from board leadership and fundraising to personal financial contributions that have helped countless students experience the transformative power of travel.

Over the years, Geissler has traveled with thousands of students, drawing personal inspiration from each journey. His dedication to connecting with every student he serves led him to learn American Sign Language so he could communicate directly with one group in particular — a testament to the depth of his commitment.

SYTA Youth Foundation Honors Roger Moss with the Visionary Award

Mr. Moss is no stranger to leadership in child advocacy and education. For the last 25 years, he has spent his career working with children’s programs in various capacities. In 2006, he co-founded the Savannah Children’s Choir to gather a diverse group of singers from all walks of life and educational backgrounds. The choir has been successful not only in directing students musically but also in supporting them academically, as all choir members must maintain a grade of “B” or above in their classwork.

This culture of excellence has contributed to 99 percent of former participants going on to higher education. The choir has sent members to eight countries to perform and ensures all students have the opportunity to participate regardless of family income.

Mr. Moss was also a founding member of the Savannah Classical Academy, a Title I charter school that serves primarily lower-income families. From the outset, the school’s leadership was dedicated to creating a culture of excellence before even beginning academic studies. Each student’s education is grounded in a discussion of eight virtues, which Mr. Moss credits with driving an educational and cultural shift.

He became President of the Savannah/Chatham County Board of Education in January 2023.

Mr. Moss says, “75 to 80 percent of the students are on free or reduced lunch, but we believe classical education can work and is focused on creating an equitable school system.”

To say that Mr. Moss is committed to the youth of Savannah is an understatement.