PRESS RELEASE:

On Wednesday, May 2, Bend-La Pine Schools will celebrate 66 staff members who make a positive difference in the lives of students — from classroom teachers to custodians — during the annual Excellence in Education awards at Mountain View High School.

“I am proud to work alongside these dedicated staff members, who give their hearts, time and talents to make the lives of students better,” said Superintendent Shay Mikalson. “I look forward to this event each year and getting the chance to honor their contributions to our schools.”

The honored staff members will be considered for Bend-La Pine Schools’ teacher and support staff person of the year awards, announced in August.

Staff members honored for their outstanding contributions are:

• Amity Creek Magnet at Thompson School: Jake Daggett
• Bear Creek Elementary School: Lindsey Manitsas and Ximena Vega
• Bend Senior High School: Jennifer Groth and Steve Wetherald
• Buckingham Elementary School: Erin Brown and Margy Tucker
• Cascade Middle School: Craig Kidder and Tara Termes
• Distribution Center: Dan Vannoppen
• Education Center: Wendy Reeves
• Elk Meadow Elementary School: April Jorgenson and Jessica Scott
• Ensworth Elementary School: Theresa Dent and Andrea Thompson
• High Desert Middle School: Sharlline Markwardt and Veronica Trejo
• High Lakes Elementary School: Kevin Godard and Nicole Suttle
• Highland Magnet at Kenwood School: Shelly Hill and JJ Howard
• Juniper Elementary School: Marlene Johnson and Marna Larsen
• Information Technology: Genti Saliu
• La Pine Elementary School: Jackie Kellogg and Sandra Reeves
• La Pine High School: Shanon Bryant and Lindsey Christian
• La Pine Middle School: Liana Hollingsworth and Michelle Whitney
• Lava Ridge Elementary School: Lori Crawford and Dyan Sultzer
• Maintenance Department: Michael Martin
• Marshall High School: Carolyn Carry-McDonald and Annette Shears
• Mountain View High School: Penny Andrews and Sorahi Harati
• Nutrition Services Department: Jenette Perras
• Pacific Crest Middle School: Liza Huet and Sara Mitchell
• Pilot Butte Middle School: Carter Larkin and Christina Lemke
• Pine Ridge Elementary School: Monet Biancucci and Judy McMillan
• Ponderosa Elementary School: Sha Brown and Jaime Desmarais
• Realms Middle School: Dante Biancucci
• R.E. Jewell Elementary School: Ashley Ertle and Sandy Vannoppen
• Rosland Elementary School: Matthew Haney and Dail Pautz
• Silver Rail Elementary School: Lauren Kittelson and Kate Pardo
• Sky View Middle School: Gay Sato and Geo Shebley
• Special Programs: Kim Laing and Alyssa VanSyckel
• Summit High School: Kathie Quick and Karen Young
• Three Rivers School: Suzanne Holman and Michelle Johnson
• Transportation Department: Christina Cathcart
• Westside Village Magnet at Kingston School: Greg Bueker and Scott Robertson
• William E. Miller Elementary School: Meredith Blackwell and Stephanie Rodgers