IMESD Honors 2022 Crystal Apple Award Winners
By Shannon McKone on Monday, May 2nd, 2022 in Featured Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Release from InterMountain ESD) InterMountain Education Service District (IMESD) and its component school districts are proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Crystal Apple “Excellence in Education” Awards. At total of 44 Crystal Apples will be presented in early May to deserving education staff in eastern Oregon.
On Monday, May 2, winners from Union County school districts will be honored at the event at EOU in La Grande. Winners from Morrow County and Umatilla County school districts will be honored at the event at the Pendleton Convention Center on Monday, May 9. The events include receptions, and winners’ families and friends and school district staff are invited.
Each year, the IMESD partners with its school districts to recognize outstanding administrators, teachers, educational assistants and office and building staff for their dedication and commitment to students and for their willingness to go above and beyond their regular duties. Nominations are submitted over a two-month period by administrators, coworkers, parents, students and community members. Winners are selected from these nominations by school district administration.
“Celebrating the hard work that school district employees do each and every day in our region is always exciting during the Crystal Apple Awards. But it’s especially wonderful this year, since we can return to in-person award events,” said Dr. Mark Mulvihill, IMESD Superintendent.
The IMESD would like to thank the 2022 Crystal Apple Award sponsors: CHI St. Anthony Hospital, First Community Credit Union, Rotary Club of Pendleton and Wheatland Insurance.
Below is the list of the 2022 Crystal Apple Award winners.
Award programs, which include biographies of the winners will be available on the IMESD website after each event: https://www.imesd.k12.or.us/page/crystal-apple-award-ceremonies (If you need this in a different format, please contact Michele Madril
Photos of the winners will be available after each event – please request from michele.madril@imesd.k12.or.us.
More information about the Crystal Apple Awards can be found at: https://www.imesd.k12.or.us/page/crystal-apple-awards
2022 Crystal Apple Award Winners
InterMountain ESD
Brandi Audis (Educational Assistant), Early Intervention/Early Special Education Program
Rhonda Dockweiler (Administrative Assistant), Teaching & Learning Dept.
Rachael Olson (3rd-4th Grade Teacher/Special Program Liaison), Virtual Learning Academy
Jennifer Richardson (Graphic Design Specialist) Communication & Print Solutions Dept.
Union County
Cove School District
Kelli Langford (3rd Grade Teacher), Cove School
Kelsey Stitzel (Secretary), Cove School
Elgin School District
Dena Ledbetter (5th Grade Teacher), Stella Mayfield Elementary
Tucker Murphey (Music Teacher), Elgin School District
Imbler School District
Tony Haddock (Math/PE Teacher), Imbler High School
Chrissy Wilhelm (Secretary/Substitute Bus Driver), Imbler High School
La Grande School District
Shawn Brooks (5th Grade Teacher), Central Elementary School
Amber Kessinger (Behavior Intervention Assistant), La Grande Middle School
Cindy Malone (Paraeducator), La Grande High School
Amy Pennington (School Nurse), La Grande School District
North Powder School District
Nancy Simonis (Paraprofessional), North Powder School District
Union School District
Karolyn Kelley (Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor), Union High School
Jodi Seale (4th Grade Teacher), Union Elementary School
Morrow County
Ione School District
Superintendent: Kevin Dinning
Tracey Johnson (Principal), Ione Elementary School
Stephanie McElligott (Preschool/Instructional Aide), Ione School
Morrow County School District
Superintendent: Dirk Dirksen
Katie Burton (Counselor), Sam Boardman Elementary School
Michelle Gale (Special Education Assistant), A.C. Houghton Elementary School
Lori McCabe (Head Cook/Assistant Custodian), Heppner Jr/Sr High School
Laura Winters (6th Grade Teacher), Windy River Elementary
Umatilla County
Athena-Weston School District
Superintendent: Ann Vescio
Ashley Tompkins (Agriculture Science Teacher), Weston-McEwen High School
Karen Webb (Secretary/District Kitchen Supervisor), Athena Elementary/District Office
Echo School District
Superintendent: Raymon Smith
Anna Bench (Classroom Aide), Echo School District
Shana Schmidt (Science Teacher), Echo High School
Helix School District
Superintendent: Brad Bixler
Tim Kahl (Language Arts/Social Studies Teacher), Helix School
Katie Zmuda (School Cook), Helix School
Milton-Freewater Unified School District
Superintendent: Aaron Duff
Melissa Cunnington (Choir/Drama Teacher), McLoughlin High School
Steffany Esser (Social Studies Teacher), McLoughlin High School
Jennifer Kessler (Lead Cook), Gib Olinger Elementary School
Heather Vaughn (Special Education Teacher), Gib Olinger Elementary School
Pendleton School District
Superintendent: Chris Fritsch
Tammy Hillmick (Paraprofessional), Sherwood Heights Elementary School
James McDonough (Maintenance), Pendleton High School
Karen Smith (Special Education Teacher), Sherwood Heights Elementary School
Fred Wolotira (Math Teacher), Sunridge Middle School
Pilot Rock School District
Superintendent: Troy Jerome
Lela Thieme (Science/Wellness Teacher), Pilot Rock Jr/Sr High School
Jacob Try (Music Teacher), Pilot Rock School District
Stanfield School District
Superintendent: Beth Burton
Adam Lemmon (PE Teacher), Stanfield Elementary School
Michelle Reeser (Kindergarten Teacher), Stanfield Elementary School
Ukiah School District
Superintendent: Jim Reger
Thomas Conner (Athletic Director/Basketball Coach), Ukiah School
Umatilla School District
Superintendent: Heidi Sipe
Danette Prindle (Paraprofessional), McNary Heights Elementary School
Tim Young (5th Grade Teacher), McNary Heights Elementary School
