Crystal Apple Nominees Announced

Crystal Apple Awards honors educators making a significant impact in the lives of children. This year's event takes place at Salem’s historic Elsinore Theater.

Last year's Crystal Apple recipients for 2006 Photo courtesy: salemchamber.org

(SALEM, Ore.) - Fifty-five local educators have been nominated to be one of a dozen or so who’ll be honored with a 2007 Crystal Apple Award.

This year's list of nominees includes counselors, custodians, teachers, office managers and administrators, all the professionals who help make a school tick. Of the 55 nominees, 52 are employees of the Salem-Keizer School District and three are from area private schools.

The Crystal Apple Awards honor those in education making a significant impact in the lives of children. The 11th annual event is set for November 15th at Salem’s historic Elsinore Theater.

The 2007 celebration will again feature a red carpet walk for nominees, broadcast live inside the theater. Tom Hewitt, Judson Middle School drama teacher and local actor and comedian, will emcee.

Tickets go on sale October 15th. They can be purchased at the Elsinore Box Office, by phone with a credit card at (503) 375-3574, online at ticketswest.com, and at all Tickets West locations. All seating is reserved.

In 1996, Salem Chamber business representatives teamed with local educators to begin the Crystal Apples as a way to encourage and recognize education excellence in Salem-Keizer schools.

Presented by the Salem–Keizer Education Foundation in collaboration with the Salem-Keizer School District and the Salem and Keizer Chambers of Commerce, the Awards celebrate and recognize those teachers, administrators and support staff who exceed all expectations of their profession and who engage community in their work. Since its inception, the Crystal Apple Awards has been replicated in communities throughout the United States.

2007 Crystal Apple Nominees

Susan Adams- Principal
Myers Elementary School

Margaret Allen- School Office Specialist
Sprague High School

Kristin Andersen- Teacher
Sprague High School

Carlotta Arnold- Career Service Specialist
Sprague High School

Sherrie Bashaw- Teacher – Religion
Blanchet Catholic School

William Brooks- Teacher – Religion
Blanchet Catholic School

Kristin Burgess- Teacher – English and Social Studies
Judson Middle School

Sheri Burleson- Teacher – Math
Sprague High School

Raymond Byrd- Security Manager
Security Department

Tana Cox- Registrar
Houck Middle School

Jean Craig- Teacher – Sixth Grade
Queen of Peace

Wendy Crane- Counselor
Highland Elementary School

David DeRoest- Teacher – Music
Waldo Middle School

Kathie Dewey- Teacher
Leslie Middle School

John Dixon- Teacher – Business
South Salem High School

Scott DuFault- Teacher – Social Studies
South Salem High School

Gary Etchemendy- Principal
Forest Ridge Elementary School

Timmy Fields- Custodian
Whiteaker Middle School

Nancy Fischer- Teacher – Humanities
Howard Street Charter School

Mark Gilman- Teacher
North Salem High School

Rhonda Hansen- Teacher – Library/Media
Keizer Elementary School

Dan Heer- Teacher – Science
Sprague High School

Lorie Hughes Pedroli- Teacher – Special Education
Hammond Elementary

Korrine Jackson- Office Manager
Englewood Elementary School

Jim Jenney- Supervisor
Custodial Services

Fritz Juengling- Teacher – German
Sprague High School

Sara LeRoy- Teacher
North Salem High School

Sandi Levak- Counselor
Myers Elementary School

Jean Logan- Sign Language Specialist
Salem Heights Elementary School

Jim Lorenz- Teacher – Computer Education
South Salem High School

Val Luukinen- Teacher – Sixth Grade
Walker Middle School

Linda Maddy- Teacher – Third Grade
Hammond Elementary

Tami Mazzei- Teacher
North Salem High School

Meri McLeod- Teacher – Library/Media
West Salem High School

Rebecca Mucken- School Office Specialist
North Salem High School

Jennifer Neitzel- Principal
Morningside Elementary School

Steve Nelson- Principal
Leslie Middle School

Colleen Post- Teacher – Special Education
Whiteaker Middle School

Melinda Quast- Teacher – Fourth Grade
Salem Heights Elementary School

Karl Raschkes- Supervisor
Curriculum Department

Janet Romine- Teacher – Music
Wright Elementary School

Michelle Ross- Behavior Intervention Trainer
Student Services Department

Jennifer Rowan- Teacher – Special Education
Lee Elementary School

Steve Sanchez- Counselor
Claggett Creek Middle School

Ken Slack- Teacher – Social Science
North Salem High School

Pattie Sloan- Teacher – English
West Salem High School

Susan Studebaker- Teacher
Leslie Middle School

Diane Swan- Teacher
Sprague High School

Carolyn Swanson- Instructional Assistant – Special Programs
Sprague High School

Jeff Swartwout- Teacher – English
Sprague High School

Rich Swartzentruber- Teacher – Science
North Salem High School

Linda Tiegs- Office Manager
Morningside Elementary School

Carla VandeGrined- Teacher
Parrish Middle School

Sarah Whitney- Teacher – Fifth Grade
Hammond Elementary School

Ruby Sue Whittley- Teacher
Waldo Middle School

Source: Salem Chamber of Commerce