More winners announced of the Crystal Apple awards
By Paul Hall on Friday, May 14th, 2021 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
Eastern Oregon – (Information provided by The InterMountain Education Service District) The InterMountain Education Service District (IMESD) and its component school districts are proud to announce the winners of the 2021 Crystal Apple “Excellence in Education” Awards. At total of 44 Crystal Apples were presented to deserving education staff in eastern Oregon during the past week at three ceremonies.
On Monday, May 3, Union County school district winners were honored, followed by an event for districts in Morrow County and the west end of Umatilla County on Monday, May 10, and a final event honoring the remainder of Umatilla County districts on Tuesday, May 11. The Union County event was in La Grande, the Morrow/West End Umatilla event was in Echo and the final event was in Pendleton. Due to pandemic restrictions, no audience was allowed at the ceremony, face coverings were required and physical distancing was practiced.
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.
“In the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the greatest challenges to K-12 education, but many educators have stepped up and worked even harder to serve eastern Oregon’s students. Due to these challenges, celebrating this year’s Crystal Apple Award winners has been even more important and more special,” said Michele Madril, IMESD director of communication.
The IMESD would like to thank the 2021 Crystal Apple Award sponsors: Mid-Columbia Bus Company, CHI St. Anthony Hospital, First Community Credit Union, Bank of Eastern Oregon and Rotary Club of Pendleton.
Below is the list of all winners.
Biographies of winners and copies of the three ceremony programs are available on the IMESD website:
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 are available – 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
2021 Crystal Apple Award Winners
*InterMountain ESD
Tamara Bow (Registered Nurse)
Deb Jones (Speech-Language Pathologist)
Marla Royal (Executive Assistant to the Superintendent)
Shane Weston (Technology Specialist)
*Union County
Cove School District
Kim McBride (School Secretary), Cove School
Russel Olmsted (Shop Teacher), Cove School
*Elgin School District
Denise Ludwig (Business Manager), Elgin School District
*Imbler School District
Barry Bowers (Math Teacher), Imbler High School
Wendy Clerget (3 rd Grade Teacher), Imbler Elementary School
*La Grande School District
Kevin Cahill (Language Arts Teacher), La Grande High School
Leslie Graham (4 th Grade Teacher), Central Elementary School
Linda Sweet (Paraeducator I), Greenwood Elementary School
Dena Tams (Secretary III), Island City Elementary School
*North Powder School District
Sandy Colton (Math Teacher), North Powder Middle/High School
Geneva Olson (3 rd Grade Teacher), North Powder Elementary School
Union School District
Julie Baxter (Secretary), Union High School
Shyanne Winters (Music Teacher), Union School District
*Morrow County
Ione School District
Mary Rosenberg (3 rd Grade Teacher), Ione Community School
JoAnna Lamb (Instructional Aide), Ione Community School
*Morrow County School District
Charlene Baker (Special Education Teacher), Riverside Jr/Sr High School
Amber Benetti (6 th Grade Teacher), Irrigon Elementary School
Darlene Jacobsen (1 st Grade Teacher), Sam Boardman Elementary School
Teresa Parret (Assistant Custodian), Heppner Jr/Sr High School
*Umatilla County
Athena-Weston School District
Becky Buckles (Lead Cook), Athena-Weston School District
Katherine Funderburk (Language Arts Teacher), Weston Middle School
*Echo School District
Samantha Kordosky (Paraprofessional), Echo School District
Christina VanNice (Special Education Director), Echo School District
*Helix School District
Katie Harlow (2 nd Grade Teacher), Helix Elementary School
Mary Lewis (Lead Custodian), Helix School District
Milton-Freewater Unified School District
Jeff Bishop (5 th Grade Teacher), Ferndale Elementary School
Kathleen King (Bus Driver), Milton-Freewater Unified School District
Denette Rhoads (Paraprofessional). Gib Olinger Elementary School
Cindy Saldana (Teacher), Central Middle School
*Pendleton School District
Karen Demianew (Counselor), Pendleton High School
Teri McCoy (Paraprofessional/Office Assistant), Hawthorne High School
Jan Patton (Paraprofessional), Sunridge Middle School
Shellie Wyss (Kindergarten Teacher), Pendleton Early Learning Center
*Pilot Rock School District
All Staff of the Pilot Rock School District
Stanfield School District
Clara Nichols (Food Service), Stanfield Secondary School
Lacey Sharp (Principal), Stanfield Elementary School
*Ukiah School District
Norma Barber (Lead Teacher), Ukiah School
Kari Keen (Library Technician), Ukiah School
*Umatilla School District
ESL Team: Maggie Barry, Gloria Chase, Charlotte Engelhart, Katie Goad
McNary Heights Elementary School
Desirae Zamudio (Media Assistant), Umatilla High School
