13th Annual Crystal Apple Awards Celebrates Local Teachers and Outgoing Dublin Administrators

Crystal Apple Award
PLEASANTON, CA–Thirteen was not an unlucky number for a special group of educators at the 13th annual Crystal Apple Awards last Sunday hosted by Dublin and Pleasanton high school students of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Crystal Apple Awards are unique in that students nominate and recognize the teachers, and organize the annual event.
In addition to the student-led recognition of six teachers from three Tri-Valley high schools (details below), there were also two Education Leadership Awards presented by the Church members and parents to Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hanke (retiring after 45 years of service in public education, including 10 here in Dublin) and Carol Shimizu (retiring Principal from Dublin High School, after 12 years as the Principal at DHS and 48 years in public education).
After the presentation of the Crystal Apple Awards to the Teachers by their students, Mayor David Haubert took a few minutes to commend both Superintendent Hanke and Mrs. Shimizu for all of their remarkable service and the tremendous positive impact they have had on our schools and communities.

Credit: Michelle McDonald
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.
As in prior years, the event featured student-led presentations filled with photo essays and memories of each recognized teacher, along with emotional thank you’s from the Dublin 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.
The Crystal Apple Award recipients for 2016 are:
- Amador Valley High School (Pleasanton) – Brian Ladd andBree Barnett-Dreyfuss
- Dublin High School (Dublin) – Christine Buckley and Mark Chatigny
- Foothill High School (Pleasanton) – Chris Gibbons and Eric Heinitz
As in previous years students spoke of how each of these teachers impacted their lives, and the lives of their peers. The full house in attendance for this year’s event means there will likely be many teachers in the years ahead who will celebrate a Crystal Apple Award!
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) | |||
2013 | Mr. Tom Hall, Mr. Jon Grantham |
Ms. Lisa Carhart, Ms. Kelly Beck |
Mr. Chris Jones, Mr. Michael Leitz |
Ms. Laurie Sargent (Valley High School) | |||
2014 | Mrs. Jen Hoenshell, Mrs. Amber Carrion | Mr. John Parsons, Mr. Gregory Rodriguez | Mr. Joshua Hill, Mr. James Clark |
2015 | Mr. Brett Bower, Mr. Clif Simms, Mr. Rick Sira | Ms. Katina Lewis, Ms. Jeanne Morgan | Ms. Theresa Ochoa-Lionetti, Ms. Donna DeGiobbii |
Presented by Dublin and Pleasanton high school students of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
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