44 honored for ‘Making a Difference’

May 16, 2024

West Shore School News is presented by West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press.

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — On Monday, May 13, the West Shore Educational Service District honored 44 people for making a difference in the life of students who receive special services from the ESD. The ceremony was held at West Shore Community College.

This school year more than 1,400 students with disabilities, birth through age 26, are supported by the West Shore ESD and local school districts in Lake, Mason, and Oceana counties.

Over the past nine years, the ESD’s Special Education Parent Advisory Committee has sponsored the annual “Make a Difference” Awards Ceremony to recognize agencies, businesses, and individuals that go above and beyond to enhance the educational opportunities for students with exceptional needs.

A total of 194 award recipients were honored previously

Support Staff
Kim Weinert
Liane Drier
Kim Mickevich
Jennifer Tyndall
Alayne Speltz
Tori Cameron
Melissa Merrill
Kathy Dodds
Chelsea Miszewski

General Education Teacher

Michelle McCulley
John Russell
Cherie Coleman
Eric Stevens
Lindsey Boyd
Melanie Hargreaves
David Smith
Roger Bailey
Fountain Child Development Center Staff
Todd Graham

Parent/Community Member
Chris Bosse
Representative Curt VanderWall

Peer Support
Bode Powell
Elijah McFaul

Ancillary Staff
Michael Leikert
Jennifer Taranko
Dustin Webb
Stephanie Hart
Tracy Wardle
Heather Dennis

Special Education Teacher
Larry Lynch
Nancy Carder
Nicole Paul

Administration
Jessica Danielson
Troy Moran
Chris Etchison
Dana Kessell
Craig Barter
Ashela Trevino
Paula Jerry

Agency or Business
Lyrin Malburg, Wildflower Spa Co.
Jason & Stephanie Maralt, ProMaster Cleaning & Restoration
Dr. Jacob Seng, Northstar Fitness
Nate & Nicki Peterson, Backstage Hobbies & Games
Emily Garland, Mason County District Library

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