2022 Crystal Apple Awards Return In-Person (Photo) -02/15/22

PASCO, WA – After two years of a modified, virtual celebration, we are thrilled to announce the return of an in-person Crystal Apple Awards ceremony to honor local teachers!  The Dream Builder’s Educational Foundation, in partnership with ESD 123, will recognize twelve amazing educators at the 24^th annual Crystal Apple Awards beginning at 4:30 PM on Thursday, March 10th.  Once again, the public ceremony will be held at ESD 123 building in Pasco.

Since 1999, the Crystal Apple Award for Excellence in Education has sought to recognize local educators.  Representing nine local school districts, the 2022 Crystal Apple winners are as follows:

• Monica Armstrong, Columbia Elementary and Early Childhood School, 3^rd Grade Math (Columbia-Burbank)
• Leslie Parker, Finley Elementary School, 4^th Grade English Language Arts (Finley)
• Ken Holton, Amistad Elementary School, 5^th Grade (Kennewick)
• Kimberly Cruz, Lisa Stade, Araceli Chavez, and Joni Ashley (teacher team), Kiona-Benton Elementary School, K-5^th Grade Support Intervention Specialist Team (Kiona-Benton City)
• Julie Nunsit, Connell High School, 9^th-12^th Grade English Secondary Language (North Franklin)
• Heather Ochoa, Hiawatha Elementary School, 6^th Grade (Othello)
• Maria Nuñez, Pasco High School, 9^th-12^th Grade World Language Spanish (Pasco)
• Dan Norris, Housel Middle & Prosser High School, 6^th-12^th Grade Band (Prosser)
• Carolyn Leggett, Hanford High School, 9^th-12^th Grade Algebra I, AP Statistics (Richland)

At the March 10th ceremony, the nine district superintendents will speak to the outstanding contributions of their district winners.  Winners are presented with $1,000 checks, beautiful glass “crystal apples,” and other gifts donated by area businesses.  This year’s twelve winners bring the total number of awarded teachers to 263 since the awards began in 1999. For more information, contact Molly Curtiss at 509.544.5787 or mcurtiss@esd123.org.

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The Crystal Apple Awards are only possible through generous contributions from community organizations, businesses, and service groups who sponsor the ceremony both monetarily and through gifts to the recipients.  The 2022 Platinum Level Sponsors include:  Bechtel National Inc, Evergreen Associates, Gesa Credit Union, Lampson International, Pasco Kennewick Rotary Trust, STCU, Stevens Clay, Tri-Cities Sunrise Rotary Club, and Washington River Protection Solutions.