FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Excellence in Education Committee April 26, 2024
44 Honored, 13 Awarded at Excellence in Education Awards
Yakima, WA - Hosted by the Excellence in Education Committee—comprised of the Crystal Apple Co-Chairs, Yakima Schools Foundation, and Yakima School District—the annual Excellence in Education Awards celebrated the significant contributions of 44 educators and community members, with 13 exceptional individuals receiving the highest honors at Eisenhower Auditorium on Thursday, April 25 from 5-6:00 pm. For more information on the awards and a full list of this year's nominees and winners (including photos), please visit our website at www.YSD7.org/EIE.
Crystal Apple Awards
This award, bestowed upon dedicated teachers and certified educators, recognized six individuals who have profoundly impacted their students' lives and futures:
- John Soler, Discovery Early Learning
- Nicole Roberts, Whitney Elementary
- Nicole Mills, Davis High School
- Lacy Temple, Garfield Elementary
- Jeffrey McFadden, Franklin Middle School
- Brian Beck, Davis High School
Shining Star Awards
These awards were presented to six classified employees who exemplify exceptional work performance, leadership, and commitment:
- Ana Villasenor, Language Access
- Barb Fiscus, Superintendent's Office
- Julie Lantis, Teaching & Learning
- Danielle Woodcock, Discovery Early Learning
- Kelsi Beaman, Franklin Middle School
- Whitney McCulloch, Nob Hill Elementary
Yakima Schools Foundation's Champion of Youth Award
Christina Carlson received this award for her continuous engagement and mentoring, which significantly benefits the community and student lives.
About Yakima School District
Yakima School District is dedicated to providing a quality education that prepares all students for college and career readiness. Through innovative teaching, community engagement, and a focus on holistic development, YSD strives to achieve excellence in education.
About Crystal Apple Awards
The Crystal Apple Awards are a recognition initiative led by the Yakima business community. They celebrate teachers and certified educators who demonstrate excellence in their profession and have a positive impact on their students.
About Yakima Schools Foundation
The Yakima Schools Foundation supports educational excellence and achievement within the Yakima School District. Through fundraising and community involvement, the foundation provides resources and support for students and educators.
Contact Information:
Crystal Apple Awards:
- Carmela Solorzano, Email: carmela@ycda.com
- Drew Harris, Email: drew@heritageyakima.com
Shining Star Awards:
- Christopher Miller, Yakima School District
- Phone: 509-573-7000
- Email: chris.miller@ysd7.org
- YSD Media Inquiries: www.YSD7.org/media
Champion of Youth Award:
- Shawna Masters, Yakima Schools Foundation
- Email: Director@yakimaschoolsfoundation.org
Yakima, WA – April 25, 2024 – The Yakima School District is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Voices/Voces writing contest. This annual event, sponsored by the Teaching and Learning Department, encourages the literary talents of students and staff across the district, spanning grades PK-12. This year’s contest saw a remarkable range of entries, highlighting the creativity and depth of our district's participants.
The contest winners, selected for their exceptional skills in narrative, poetry, and essay writing, will be honored at the Voices/Voces Writing Awards Ceremony. The celebration is set for Tuesday, April 30th, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Eisenhower High School Auditorium. Winners will receive a certificate and a copy of the "Voices/Voces 2024" district writing anthology, where their works will be published.
The event will showcase winners like Rory Scheidegger from McKinley Elementary, who captured the hearts of judges with his narrative "The Gamer," and Aubrey Gonzalez of Davis High School, whose poetic expression in "Paper and Ink" resonated deeply. In the essay category, Wilson Harper of Davis High School stood out with his insightful work, "Safeguarding the Future: Preventing Contamination in the Search for Extraterrestrial Life."
Erin Chaplin, the contest coordinator, expressed her excitement about this year’s entries: "The results are in, and they are nothing short of inspiring. Our students and staff have once again demonstrated their outstanding literary abilities and creative thinking."
The Yakima School District invites family, friends, and the community to join in celebrating these talented writers. The Voices/Voces Writing Awards Ceremony is an opportunity not only to recognize the winners but also to affirm the district's commitment to fostering a love of writing and literature among its students and staff.
For more information on the winners and to read their entries, please visit the Voices/Voces page on the district’s website at YSD7.org/learning/voices
Contact: Kirsten Fitterer Chief Communications Officer Yakima School District Email: fitterer@ysd7.org Media Inquiries: www.YSD7.org/media
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