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Support Staff recipients
West Shore School News is presented by West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
AMBER TOWNSHIP — More than 50 educators, support staff, community members and organizations were honored Wednesday during the 11th Annual Make a Difference Awards hosted by the West Shore Educational Service District Special Education Parent Advisory Committee at the Graystone Event Center.
The annual awards program recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses that have made “a meaningful and positive impact” on the education and success of children with special needs throughout the West Shore ESD service area in Mason, Lake and Oceana counties.
The event began with a reception and dinner before welcoming remarks from Dr. Jason Jeffrey and a keynote address by Stephanie Stakenas. Award presentations were conducted by members of the SE Parent Advisory Committee.
Administrators
Award recipients were recognized in multiple categories, including administrators, general education teachers, special education teachers, support staff, agencies and businesses, ancillary staff, parent and community members, and peer support students.
Administrator honorees included Kara Brown, Randy Fountain, Jenn Mackey and Diana Patterson.
The agency and business category recognized Goodwill Industries of West Michigan and Kayla Lester; Home Team Housing and Executive Director Jamie Healy; and The Ladder Community Center and Director Brian Beckman.
Ancillary award recipients included Carrie Failor, Pam Janowiak, Julia Mac, Kate Pratt and Chad Skiba.
General education teacher honorees included Mandy Aicher, Kara Bishop, Maggie Brandel, Zahida Burgos, Jesse Chickering, Mark Cooke, Aleisha Haner, Andréa Herneman, Erin Jensen, Stacey Kraft, Sara Morrow, Emily Roussin, Mark Saari, Micah Schmidt and Antoinette Vierbuh.
Agency or Business Recipients
The parent/community member award was presented to Stephanie Jablonowski and Jana Jett.
Peer support honorees included Addison Hain, Payton Lindgren and Porter Rinehart.
Special education teacher recipients were Vanessa Sekensek, Susan Stark, Tess Versluis and Andrea Wegener.
Support staff honorees included Katie Englebrecht, Susan Flers, Beth Gunsell, Larry Hawke, Trisha Knizcky, Deputy Jake Lesinski, Teri Leys, James Mahn, Judy Powers, Tania Reyna, Jim Schnarr, Peggy Smith, Kristy Stewart, Jocelyn Teske, Nacomie Waltman and Samantha Walton.
Ancilliary Recipients
The ceremony program also highlighted the mission of the awards, noting that small acts of kindness and support can create a lasting “ripple” effect throughout the community.
West Shore ESD officials thanked attendees and committee members for supporting the annual event and its focus on “Success for all students.”
General Education Teacher Recipients
Parent/Community Member Recipients
Peer Support Recipients
Special Education Teachers Recipients
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