The Huron School District’s 33rd Annual employee recognition banquet was held May 12th at the Huron Event Center. Many employees were recognized for meritorious service, special awards, and “Employee of the Year”. The night ended with honoring the retirees.
The following teachers were recognized for their years of service to the district:
5 years
Peggy Harkness, Myranda Holtrop, David Jensen, Kelby Johnson, Trisha Jons, Cassidee King. Jolene Konechne, Halima Kringen, Mia Kruse, Raleigh Larson, Joyce Maras, Steven Martens, Mary Moe, Michelle Moeding, Hezekiah Moo, Henry Morales, Nicholle Mudge, Beth Neitzert, Ashley Neuharth, Breanee Olsen, Maria Ptak, Vicki Ranney,Rhonda Ransom, Terry Regnier, Wesley Rennich, Zachary Retzer, Jessica Skorheim, Tracey Steele, Dru Strand, Wah Ka Paw Thein, Licia Wallace, Charlie Warner, Kristin Wheeler and Tori White
10 years
Tamera Barnes, Dave Corcoran, McKenzie Gill, Duane Hansen, Abby Johnson, Kristine Kattner, Michael Radke, Dale Schoemaker, Rebecca Stoddard, Dianne Tapken, Angela Thomas, Abby Vaillancourt, Amy Velthoff and Carolyn Westby
15 years
Ginger Brake, Brooke Cunard, Sharon Engelhart, Karen Ford, Timothy Hedblom, Michelle Hotchkiss, Erv Huber, Adele Van Zee, Laura Willemssen and Cynthia Williams
20 years
April Ahlers, Dawn Marshall and Charlene Polsean
25 years
Linda Eck, Kari Hinker and Michael Postma
30 years
Staci DesLauriers, Peggy Podhradsky, Julie King and Terry Rotert
35 years
Debbie Henning, Lona Moser, Barbara Myhre and Jodi Walter
40 years
Barbara Nicholas
Special Recognition was given to those staff receiving special awards throughout the year. Rita Baszler: Nationally Certified School Nurse, Shelly Buddenhagen: Volleyball Coashes Association Region 6 Coach of the Year and SD High School Coaches Association Volleyball Coach of the Year, Terry Nebelsick: 2020 South Dakota Superintendent of the Year, Appointed to the State Board of Educational Standards and Huron Chamber and Visitors Bureau Distinguished Civic Service Award, Barb Nicholas: SD Region 3 Teacher of the Year and Finalist for SD Teacher of the Year, Amy Schoenfelder: American Legion Teacher of the Year Post-7, TyAnn Ulmer: AA Volleyball Assistant Coach of the Year and Huron School District Mayor’s Award of Excellence
The Classified Employees of the Year for 2021 were Hezekiah Moo and Gina Gabriel. Hezekiah is an ESL para at Huron High School, while Gina works maintenance for Buildings and Ground. Also recognized was the 2021 Professional Support Staff Employee of the Year Rita Baszler. Rita is the school nurse at Madison 2/3 Center and accepted the award on behalf of all the school nurses and all the hard work they have done the past year and all years to keep everyone safe.
Three teachers were named 2021 Teachers of the Year: Lynne Hanten, Leah Branaugh and Jennifer Fuchs. Lynne is a 3rd grade teacher at Madison 2/3 Center, Leah is a math teacher at Huron middle School and Jennifer is a science teacher at Huron High School.
Special recognition was given to David Wheeler for his years of service on the Huron School Board and then the night ended with recognition of retirees.
Retirees include:
Ann Blondheim, 4 years, Washington 4-5 Center Teacher, David Jensen, 5 years, Huron Colony Para Educator, Rita Schulz, 6 years, Curriculum Office Administrative Assistant, Cindy Eckman, 7 years, Transportation Administrative Assistant, Collen Jensen, 9 years Huron Colony Teacher, Loia Dorris, 9 1/2 years, Buchanan k-1 Center School Nutrition, Linda Eck, 25 years, School Home Liason, Sharla Mees, 27 years, Madison 2-3 Center Teacher, Julie Zell, 27 years, Washington 2-3 Center Teacher, Kathy Engst, 28 years, High School Teacher, Lisa Sargent, 28 years, Transportation Bus Driver, Jeanne Olson, 32 years, Our Home Teacher and Jodi Walterm 35 years, SLPA
The last retiree recognized was Superintendent Terry Nebelsick. Terry will be leaving the Huron School District after 27 years. He started as High School Principal and then served as Superintendent. To Honor Terry, the SDDOE was present to read a proclamation from Governor Kristi Noem that June 30th, 2021 in South Dakota will be “Terry Nebelsick Day”.