The closing ceremony for School District of Washington staff was held Friday morning, May 26, in the CJB Theater at Washington High School.
The ceremony marked the end of the 2022-23 school year and celebrated accomplishments, presented service awards, technology recognition, recognized and thanked retirees, announced staff scholarships, and announced WINGS awards.
Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Kephart and Board of Education President Dan Leslie addressed the staff. Kephart gave opening remarks, spoke on behalf of Connect Washington, and gave closing remarks.
Brad Mitchell spoke on behalf of WINGS.
Announcing honors and service awards were SDOW Assistant Superintendents Dr. Rachael Franssen, John McColloch and Maranda Anderson.
Heike Sehrt, Early Learning Center Administrative Assistant, was named SDOW and WINGS Support Staff Person of the Year. Washington Middle School agriculture science teacher Kaylin Bade was named SDOW and WINGS Teacher of the Year in April and was recognized.
Receiving the Dr. Jane and Doug Reed Scholarship for $2,000 apiece were Campbellton Elementary special education teacher Brandi Huyser (certified staff) and Washington High School long-term substitute of alternative education Sophia Orozco (support staff).
The top selling school of the WINGS discount cards, per student, was Campbellton Elementary.
Retiring staff members recognized were Dr. Kelle McCallum, Dr. Dawn Hellebusch, Melanie Trentmann, Rob Landers, MSG Tim Gates, Tim Rinne, Kelly Richard, Cathy Hartmann, Joe Burns, Bonnie Rademacher, Dawn Martin, Becca Dotson, Amy Conard, Deanne Tiefenbrunn, Cheryl Spratt, Mary Dahl, Nancy Shiels, Amy Roethemeyer, Lloyd Johnson, Daniella Cotos, Heike Sehrt, Stephanie Kliethermes, Kerri Flynn, Diana Harrison, Cathy Jinkerson and Jennifer Wirthwein.
Honored for 30 years of service was Stacey Siefken.
Honored for 25 years of service were Dwayne Briggs, Laura Bruckerhoff, Annabelle Gaebe, Dr. Dawn Hellebusch, Sandra Knickmeyer, Gary Maune, Erin Monzyk, Tracy Straatmann and Becky Zanin.
Honored for 20 years of service were Tim Buschmann, Stephanie Juengling, Tim Rinne, Jaime Opfer, Melanie Trentmann, Dana Vogel and Robert York.
Honored for 15 years of service were Meghan Brueggemann, Kathleen Chisholm, Chris Dunard, Jennifer Gamez, Dane Gough, Erin Gough, Julie Grafrath, Katie Hogenmiller, Lindsay Kober, Amanda Kuntzman, Rob Landers, Jenny Meers, Tracy Niccum, Kara Pate, Brenda Roloff, Shelly Struckhoff and Terry Zanin.
Honored for 10 years of service were Barb Bauer, Shawn Brooks, Catherine Cargill, Heather Clark, Samantha Dougherty, Colin Flynn, Bruce Graham, Janie Hamai, Molly Hanify, Kellie Harbath, Aimee Harty, Joselyn Hummel, Molly Lynchard, Jill Mahon, Adam Meyer, Lindsay Pittner, Michelle Prewitt, Anita Rehmeier, Laura Riegel, Keith Thacker, Dina Vitale, Craig Vonder Haar, Christine Winchester and Grant Young.
Staff who participated in the Teaching With Technology Leadership Academy who received honors during the school year also were recognized.
Professional Level (Year 1) were Danielle Berges, Lee Engemann, Lorna Griffen, Molly Hanify, Katelyn Huber, Jennifer Powers and Christa Schwoeppe.
Specialist Level (Year 2) were Iesha Maloney, Ashley Smith and Amber Strickland.
Master Level (Year 3) were Sarah Bayless, Jodi Fortner, Lindsey Jasper, Jamie Knight, Bradley Kuntzman, Alicia Midkiff, Rebecca Ragle, Miranda Straatmann and Keith Thacker.
WINGS Support Staff of Year
Heike Sehrt, Early Learning Center Administrative Assistant, was named the WINGS Support Staff Person of the Year.
Dr. Jane and Doug Reed Scholarship
Receiving the Dr. Jane and Doug Reed Scholarship were Campbellton Elementary special education teacher Brandi Huyser (certified staff) and Washington High School long-term substitute of alternative education Sophia Orozco (support staff). From left are Sophia Orozco, Dr. Jane Reed and Brandi Huyser.
Retiring Staff Members
Pictured are School District of Washington retiring staff members. Retirees are Dr. Kelle McCallum, Dr. Dawn Hellebusch, Melanie Trentmann, Rob Landers, MSG Tim Gates, Tim Rinne, Kelly Richard, Cathy Hartmann, Joe Burns, Bonnie Rademacher, Dawn Martin, Becca Dotson, Amy Conard, Deanne Tiefenbrunn, Cheryl Spratt, Mary Dahl, Nancy Shiels, Amy Roethemeyer, Lloyd Johnson, Daniella Cotos, Heike Sehrt, Stephanie Kliethermes, Kerri Flynn, Diana Harrison, Cathy Jinkerson and Jennifer Wirthwein.
Service Awards: 30 years
Honored for 30 years of service was Stacey Siefken.
Service Awards: 25 Years
Honored for 25 years of service were Dwayne Briggs, Laura Bruckerhoff, Annabelle Gaebe, Dr. Dawn Hellebusch, Sandra Knickmeyer, Gary Maune, Erin Monzyk, Tracy Straatmann and Becky Zanin.
Service Awards: 20 Years
Honored for 20 years of service were Tim Buschmann, Stephanie Juengling, Tim Rinne, Jaime Opfer, Melanie Trentmann, Dana Vogel and Robert York.
Service Awards: 15 Years
Honored for 15 years of service were Meghan Brueggemann, Kathleen Chisholm, Chris Dunard, Jennifer Gamez, Dane Gough, Erin Gough, Julie Grafrath, Katie Hogenmiller, Lindsay Kober, Amanda Kuntzman, Rob Landers, Jenny Meers, Tracy Niccum, Kara Pate, Brenda Roloff, Shelly Struckhoff and Terry Zanin.
Service Awards: 10 Years
Honored for 10 years of service were Barb Bauer, Shawn Brooks, Catherine Cargill, Heather Clark, Samantha Dougherty, Colin Flynn, Bruce Graham, Janie Hamai, Molly Hanify, Kellie Harbath, Aimee Harty, Joselyn Hummel, Molly Lynchard, Jill Mahon, Adam Meyer, Lindsay Pittner, Michelle Prewitt, Anita Rehmeier, Laura Riegel, Keith Thacker, Dina Vitale, Craig Vonder Haar, Christine Winchester and Grant Young.