MUSCATINE, Iowa–At the end of the school year, students look forward to what lies ahead. This holds especially true for eighth grade students progressing to high school and seniors preparing for postsecondary education and career opportunities. To celebrate outstanding students at these moments in their educational careers and the teachers who support them, Muscatine Community School District and the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust held their Excellence in Education Awards May 1 at the Merrill Hotel.

A tradition since 1986, the Excellence in Education Awards honor 10 eighth graders and 20 seniors who demonstrated excellence in schoolwork and extracurriculars, the potential to succeed, interest in postsecondary education, and resilience in the face of challenges. Staff members may nominate any students they feel meet the criteria. Nominees then write essays highlighting the qualities the awards honor. Selection committee members read the submissions to determine the winners.

On the evening of the Excellence in Education Awards, winners had their families join them for a special dinner before the awards. They each invited a staff member who positively impacted their school experiences too.

The eighth grade, senior, and staff Excellence in Education Award winners. Photo by Margaret Hurlbert.

The award recipients came from many backgrounds, from lifelong Muscatine residents to recent immigrants, and had various postsecondary goals. They chose many different staff members to celebrate their achievements with them. The winners and staff honorees included the following people:

Eighth grade:

• Ivan Alvarado, honoring English language arts teacher Emily Goddard.
• Leeland Canarr, honoring Madison Elementary School special education paraprofessional Jacque Young.
• Emilio Garcia-Fording, honoring English language arts teacher Rachel Fallon.
• Ethan Johnson-Enriquez, honoring science teacher Pam Joslyn.
• Wiliam Moomey, honoring Pam Joslyn.
• Aubrianna Plank, honoring Engish language arts teacher Angela Horton.
• Angelina Rojas, honoring English language arts teacher Miranda Dobson.
• Ethan Viner, honoring Pam Joslyn.
• Jacob Whitworth, honoring chorus teacher Nathan Swartzendruber.
• Jeanie Zuo, honoring Nathan Swartzendruber.

Seniors:

• Kossi Akakpo, honoring Muscatine Community College Career Counselor Elyse Cress.
• Vanessa Calderon, honoring Elyse Cress.
• Kily Castillo, honoring physical education teacher Ann Edkin.
• Maura Chalupa, honoring English language arts teacher Randy Guerra.
• Ella Christopher, honoring Randy Guerra.
• Verenise Colmenero Carrillo, recognizing English language arts teacher Mary Goedken.
• Maggie Halloran, honoring instructional coach Alex Isobaker.
• Aubrey Haney, honoring English language arts teacher Alex Rauenbuehler.
• Kenneth Krause-White, honoring Elyse Cress.
• Jared Lopez, honoring Muscatine County Extension Office Latinx Outreach and Youth Programming Coordinator Jesse Garcia.
• Shelby O’Brien, honoring English language arts teacher Stephanie Cromer.
• Elizabeth Payne, honoring math teacher Kathy Degner.
• Maya Perez, honoring Randy Guerra.
• Rebecca Potter, honoring Dave Tometich.
• Isabelle Rosin, honoring Susan Clark Junior High School band teacher Jennifer Rosin.
• Gabriella Scott, honoring counselor Dani Wolfe.
• Roberto Solis, honoring Randy Guerra.
• Nevaeh Stover, honoring Elyse Cress.
• Abigail Tiah, honoring Randy Guerra.
• Anahi Zumaya, honoring English as a second language building aide Belen Marquez.

Because of their dedication to helping students reach their highest potential, six staff members received Excellence in Education Awards. They included the following people:

• Bob Baillie, Muscatine High School security liaison.
• Ciara Dahlin, Madison Elementary fifth grade teacher.
• Callie Pangburn, McKinley Elementary kindergarten teacher.
• Michelle Smith, Muscatine High School English as a second language building aide.
• Nick Stuart, Muscatine High School social studies teacher.
• Jacque Young, Madison Elementary School special education paraprofessional.

In addition to covering the cost of the reception, the Roy J. Carver Trust provides $1,000 scholarships for eighth grade winners, $3,000 scholarships for senior winners, and $500 awards for staff winners. Roy J. Carver Trust Program Director Lynne Sasmazer shared her pleasure in continuing this tradition: “Excellence in Education is one of the Trust’s longest-running award programs, and we are very proud to play a part in this Muscatine tradition. It is unique among the school districts in our area and reflects Mr. Carver’s enduring belief in the importance of access to education by encouraging youth to recognize their own academic strengths and helping to remove obstacles in their path to learning.”