These 12 outstanding educators are 2024 Crystal Apple award winners in Salem, Keizer

Capi Lynn, Salem Statesman Journal

Twelve educators, including six teachers and a counselor, received Crystal Apple Awards on Wednesday night at Salem Convention Center.

Family members, colleagues and friends gathered to celebrate the honorees at the annual gala celebrating excellence in local education. The Crystal Apple Awards recognize those who exceed expectations of their profession, inspiring students and engaging the community in their work.

The recipients who represented seven public schools and one private school in Salem and Keizer were selected from a record 97 nominees, who all received red-carpet treatment.

"That is still only a small representation of all of the impactful teachers, support staff, administrators and other members of our Salem-Keizer team who make a positive difference in the lives of young people in our community,” Salem-Keizer Public Schools Superintendent Andrea Castañeda said in a press release.

The 25th annual awards were presented by the McLaran Foundation and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. Tickets for the dinner event sold out early, and organizers opened another room at Salem Convention Center for a livestream viewing party.

Here are the 2024 Crystal Apple honorees:

  • Amanda Starkey, teacher, North Salem High School

  • Christopher Feskens, teacher, McKay High School

  • Gabriela Acevedo-Solis, teacher, Waldo Middle School

  • Keelana Meyer, CTE liaison, South Salem High School

  • Kellie Menghini, teacher, McKay High School

  • Ken Ramirez, security field coordinator, Safety and Risk Management Services

  • Lisa Olson, library media instructional assistant, Chapman Hill Elementary

  • Luis Oliva Barrientos, bilingual special education assistant, Chavez Elementary School

  • Max Price, teacher, South Salem High School

  • Pat Ozenna-Lemay, teacher, Cummings Elementary

  • Rubi Hovenden, program associate, Curriculum and Instruction

  • Shayla Brown, counselor, Blanchet Catholic School

Capi Lynn is a senior reporter for the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips to her at clynn@statesmanjournal.com, and follow her work on X @CapiLynn and Facebook @CapiLynnSJ.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: These outstanding educators are 2024 Crystal Apple award winners

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