OnPoint Community Credit Union Announces 2026 Prize For Excellence In Education Community Builder Winners And Educator Of The Year Finalists (Photo) - 05/06/26
Five schools will receive cash prizes for special school projects in the 17th annual OnPoint Prize campaign awards
PORTLAND, Ore. — Five local schools have won the 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education Community Builder awards. Each school will receive a cash prize for a special project that positively impacts its school and community.
OnPoint also named the eight finalists for its Educator of the Year awards. Each educator is in the running to have their mortgage or rent paid for one full year and receive $2,500 for their school. The four winners in each category (K-5, 6-8, 9-12, and Gold Star) will be announced on May 20, 2026. The remaining four runners-up in each category will receive a $5,000 cash award and a $1,500 donation to their schools for resources and supplies.
“Across our region, schools and educators are doing incredible work to support students and strengthen their communities,” said Rob Stuart, president and chief executive officer of OnPoint Community Credit Union. “We are inspired by the ways they create welcoming environments, support students as individuals and help them grow with confidence. We are proud to recognize these schools and educators who go above and beyond to shape the next generation.”
The OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education has awarded more than $1 million in prizes to over 350 local educators and schools since 2010. The 2026 campaign will award an additional $193,000 to deserving K-12 educators and schools.
Learn more about the 2026 Community Builder award winners and Educator of the Year finalists below:
Community Builder Awards
OnPoint has recognized five schools from across the region with its Community Builder awards. Four schools will receive $2,000 from OnPoint for a special project of their choice, and one school determined by online community votes will receive $5,000.
Grand Prize Winner – $5,000 Community Builder Award
Cedar Ridge Middle School: Kiln for Kids (Oregon Trail School District, Sandy, Ore.)
Limited equipment has made it difficult for Cedar Ridge Middle School students to participate in the ceramics program, despite its growing popularity. Winning the $5,000 Community Builder Award allows the school to purchase a new kiln, giving students the opportunity to explore advanced techniques like glazing and sculptural work while building creativity, technical skills and confidence through hands-on learning.
$2,000 Community Builder Award Winners
- Carus Elementary: Community Garden Space (Canby School District, Oregon City, Ore.) Carus Elementary is developing a multi-phase community garden that will feature native plants, outdoor learning spaces and nature play features. The $2,000 award will enable students to learn how to design a garden and gain hands-on experience creating a space that connects them to nature and the community.
- Mapleton School District: Community Makerspace Initiative (Mapleton, Ore.) Mapleton School District is transforming a former middle school into a community center featuring a makerspace, garden and shared resources. The makerspace will serve as a hub for hands-on learning, creativity and entrepreneurship for both students and community members. The $2,000 award will support initial development, helping create a space where students can explore new skills and contribute to projects that strengthen their rural community.
- Rex Putnam High School: Indoor Percussion Drum Replacement (North Clackamas School District, Milwaukie, Ore.) Rex Putnam seeks to replace outdated marching band drums that are more than 30 years old and no longer functional. The $2,000 award will help provide new instruments, giving students equitable access to quality equipment and supporting student growth, program sustainability and stronger community engagement through performances.
- Woodland High School: Postsecondary Exploration Field Trips (Woodland Public Schools, Woodland, Wash.) Woodland High School plans to take students on visits to trade schools, community colleges and universities to explore postsecondary options. These experiences build awareness, confidence and interest in continuing education, especially for first-generation students. The $2,000 award will help remove financial barriers and provide guided exposure so students can better understand their options and make informed decisions about their futures.
Educator of the Year Finalists (listed by category, then alphabetically by last name)
OnPoint also named its eight finalists for its 2026 Educators of the Year awards today. Winners will have their mortgage or rent paid for one full year and receive $2,500 for each of their schools. The remaining four finalists will receive a $5,000 cash award and a $1,500 donation to their schools for resources and supplies.
K-5 Finalists
- Ashley Reich – 4th grade, Bertha Holt Elementary, Eugene School District 4J
- Sam Wishart – 1st grade, City View Charter School, Hillsboro School District
6-8 Finalists
- Mikael Benson – 6-8th grade Math and Gardening, Harrison Park Middle School, Portland Public Schools
- Kristine Napper – 6-8th grade Social Studies, Whitford Middle School, Beaverton School District
9-12 Finalists
- Stephanie Fitzgerald – 9-12th grade Algebra, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Colton High School, Colton School District
- Heidi Friesen – 9-12th grade Chemistry and Physics, Bend Senior High, Bend-LaPine School District
Gold Star Finalists (includes pre-kindergarten teachers, school counselors, substitute teachers, librarians, principals or school administrators)
- Kali Dalton – Counselor, Coweeman Middle School, Kelso School District
- Yaneira Romero – Social Worker, James John Elementary, Portland Public Schools
Click here to learn more about OnPoint's finalists for the 2026 Educator of the Year awards. Winners and runners-up will be announced on May 20, and the announcement will be broadcast live on KGW.
Honoring Founders' Legacy of Excellence in Education
Founded by 16 schoolteachers in 1932, OnPoint continues to honor its legacy today by improving access to quality education for everyone. Visit onpointcu.com to learn more.
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ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION
OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union headquartered in Oregon, serving more than 645,000 members throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and who lives, works, worships, or attends school in one of four Washington counties (Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, and Skamania), and their immediate family members. OnPoint Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). More information is available at onpointcu.com.
Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Opportunity.
