10th Annual Crystal Apple Awards Recognize Teaching Excellence in Dublin and Pleasanton
For a decade Dublin and Pleasanton high school students of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have sacrificed sleeping in late to meet early, before school, to plan a very special event. On Sunday May 5, at the Pleasanton Stake Center, students, educators and members of the community gathered for an evening of giving thanks to teachers. The event featured student-led presentations introducing each Crystal Apple Award-winning teacher, along with emotional thank you’s from the Dublin High School, Valley High School, Amador Valley High School and Foothill High School teachers. The Crystal Apple Awards recognize teachers who take the extra time and care to look after each of their students and help them in their school career, while also giving guidance in living a good life.
During seminary, a religious study class held early each morning before school, students are given the opportunity to nominate a teacher that has not only made learning more meaningful, but also one who fosters character values they deem important to life. The nominations are then considered by a committee comprised of students who review all nominations and then choose the recipients for the year. The emotional highlight of the event came with the recognition of retiring Amador Valley High School principal Jim Hansen. After four decades of service to students in Dublin and Pleasanton, Mr. Hansen fought off tears during his speech and was rewarded with both a Crystal Apple Award and a standing ovation.
The Crystal Apple Award recipients for 2013 are:
- Amador Valley High School (Pleasanton) – Tom Hall and Jon Grantham
- Dublin High School (Dublin) – Lisa Carhart and Kelly Beck
- Foothill High School (Pleasanton) – Chris Jones and Michael Leitz
- Valley High School (Dublin) – Laurie Sargent
- Special presentations to retiring Amador Valley High School principal Jim Hansen and Foothill High School principal John Dwyer (who is taking over as principal at Lynbrook High School)
A common thread in many of the speeches by teachers receiving awards was that the Crystal Apple Award is most special because the event is led by students. Foothill High School student Rachel Lanning on teacher Chris Jones: “He forces us to put in the effort required to learn and gain an understanding of the curriculum. He is a talented, passionate teacher, but what makes him outstanding is his concern for his students, both inside of school and out.” Dublin High School student Toni Shipp on teacher Lisa Carhart: “She is down to earth, relatable and kind. She’s wonderful at what she does and makes me actually pay attention in a history class!”
Given the response of the community for this special 10th anniversary event, it looks favorable that Crystal Apples will be feature on teachers desks for decades to come. Here are some of the student-authored comments for the recognized teachers.
Additional photos from the event are available here.
Dublin Unified School District 2013 Crystal Apple Award Recipients
Pleasanton Unified School District 2013 Crystal Apple Award Recipients
Past Crystal Apple Award recipients:
Amador Valley High School |
Dublin High School |
Foothill High School |
|
2004 | Mr. Neil Bellow, Mr. Matt Campbell | Ms. Kim Penske, Mr. Ron Rubio | Mr. Dustin Collins. Mr. Robert Loew |
2005 | Ms. Linda Newman, Mr. Peter Robbins | Ms. Veronica Alvarez, Ms. Sara Hollison | Mr. Ed Cloyd, Ms. Nina Rees |
2006 | Mr. Clark Fuller, Mr. Darren Pagtakhan | Ms. Kim Bauman, Mr. Jeff Taylor | Mr. Kurt Richey, Mr. Scott Sears |
2007 | Mr. Chris Murphy, Mr. Colin Wenstrand | Mr. Tim Sbranti, Mrs. Lenni Velez | Mrs. Mary Crawbuck, Mr. Howard Gilliland |
2008 | Mr. Mark Aubel, Ms. Pattie Peters | Ms. Rebecca Briggs, Ms. Anna Kim | Ms. Barbara Correia, Mr. John Nix |
Officer Floyd Gill (Alameda County Sheriff’s Office – DHS), Ms. Laurie Sargent (Valley High School) | |||
2009 | Mrs. Jill Battilega, Ms. Anne Johnson | Mr. Darren Tippit, Mr. Mark Wainwright | Mr. Scott Gorsuch, Ms. JoAnn Koobatian |
Ms. Liz Paz-Rumore (Quarry Lane School) | |||
2010 | Ms. Delise Anderson, Ms. Mairi Wohlgemuth | Ms. Barbara Hall, Ms. Julianne Sundstrom | Mr. Greg Haubner, Mr. Zach Lipman |
2011 | Mr. Matt Kelley, Mr. Ryan Templeman | Ms. Kathleen MacDonald, Ms. Maria Vlahiotis | Mr. Jeremy Detamore, Mr. David Middleton |
2012 | Ms. Heather Pereira, Mr. Matt Thayer | Ms. Lauren Andrade, Ms. Rochelle Morris | Mr. Tom Calvert, Ms. Shaun Martins |
Mr. Tom Pankey (Valley High School) | |||
Presented by Dublin and Pleasanton high school students of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
Trackbacks
- Crystal Apple Awards Celebrate Outstanding Amador Valley, Foothill and Dublin High School Teachers | OneDublin.org
- 12th Annual Crystal Apple Awards Celebrates Teachers from Dublin and Pleasanton | OneDublin.org
- 13th Annual Crystal Apple Awards Celebrates Local Teachers and Outgoing Dublin Administrators | OneDublin.org
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Bravo!!! Excellent coverage of an excellent evening honoring excellence in our teachers and retiring principals! Thank you!