Crystal Apple Awards Held in Salem

The organizers say thank you to all the local businesses and supporters that made the 11th annual Crystal Apple Awards a memorable event for this community.

Salem-Keizer Schools

(SALEM, Ore.) - The 11th annual Crystal Apple Awards were held Thursday night at the Elsinore Theater in downtown Salem. Hundreds of community members and businesses came together to honor educators that go above and beyond the call of duty to educate children.

Fifty-five people were nominated for the prestigious award, and here are the 2007 Crystal Apple Award recipients:

• Pattie Sloan, Teacher, West Salem High School
• Jim Lorenz, Teacher, South Salem High School
• Nancy Fischer, Teacher, Howard Street Charter School
• Steve Sanchez, Counselor, Claggett Creek Middle School
• Rich Swartzentruber, Teacher, North Salem High School
• Sarah Whitney, Teacher, Hammond Elementary
• Rhonda Hansen, Library Media Teacher, Keizer Elementary
• Carlotta Arnold, Career Service Specialist, Sprague High School
• Michelle Ross, Behavior Intervention Trainer, Student Services
• Karl Raschkes, Coordinator, Music and Drama

In 1997, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the school district started the awards program as a way to recognize exceptional staff who make a difference everyday in the lives of children. Any staff member can be nominated for the award by the local community. The award nominations are also open to area private schools staff.

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This year's award ceremony included "Live from the Red Carpet," a TV show that aired inside the auditorium. The show's hosts were Brent DeHart and Patti Woods. This year's Master of Ceremonies was Tom Hewitt who provided special entertainment along with the Crystal Apple Band and Ensemble. One special moment in the awards ceremony is the presentation of the Western Oregon University Student Scholarship. This scholarship is given to a local high school student who wishes to become a teacher.

This year's recipient was Ashley Durschmidt from McKay High School.

The organizers say thank you to all the local businesses and supporters that made the 11th annual Crystal Apple Awards a memorable event for this community.
Source: Salem/Keizer School District