Awards and scholarships
Have You Heard. . . Student Scholarships Congratulations to recipients of the 2009-10 AAEOP Student Scholarships. Auburn Riverside High School – Kelsey Greer Kelsey spent time in the classroom of her aunt, a special education teacher, and educational doors were opened for her. Kelsey is pursuing higher education in the psychology field. Arnie Grab described Kelsey’s commitment by saying, “Once she stamps her name to an activity she will make sure it is done with quality and meets the specified timeline.” Another teacher, Mark Davis, says, “She embodies a strong work ethic, motivation, and strives to meet all of her goals.” Kelsey’s mom is an educational office professional in the Auburn School District. . . it seems education may be in Kelsey’s blood! West Auburn High School – Stephanie Torreblanca Stephanie enjoys working with people and money; she will be working on a business degree. Family ties are important to Stephanie; she is especially mindful of the impact she has as a role model for her younger siblings. Colleen Rayburn, Stephanie’s advisor, knows financial assistance to attend college will make a difference for Stephanie. Ms. Rayburn says, “She [Stephanie] is very deserving of this scholarship; she recognizes the power of education and is determined to get and education and change the direction of her life.” Auburn High School – Joy Hiibel Auburn Mountainview High School – Kirsten Gero Recipients of 2008-09 AAEOP Student Scholarships were: Each year, AAEOP awards a student scholarship to one graduating senior at each of Auburn’s four high schools as well as one scholarship to an AAEOP member. We thank you for your support and ask that you encourage a deserving young adult to apply for an AAEOP student scholarship. Pam Craft or Cris Cruickshank (fundraising committee co-chairs) Jonna May received the 2008-09 AAEOP Member Scholarship. In the past few years Jonna has attended several WAEOP workshops, conferences, and/or institutes as well as workshops offered by AAEOP. Jonna has earned her bachelor degree! Congratulations Jonna, you are commended for your commitment to education--especially modeling life-long learning. Educational office professionals in the Auburn School District may qualify for scholarships offered by AAEOP, WAEOP, NAEOP, and PSE, in addition to those available from several other sources. The AAEOP Member Scholarship was adopted in 2005. An award of $200 is available to one dues-paying, AAEOP member each year. For an application for the AAEOP Member Scholarship, contact Deyanna King. February 1, 2010, is the deadline to submit an application for WAEOP Scholarship. (Forms are available on the WAEOP website.) Educational Administrator of the Year Toni Lally was selected as the recipient of AAEOP's Administrator-of-the-Year Award. Educational office professionals, as well as district administrators, appreciate Toni’s fiscal smarts! Toni speaks highly of office professionals and is always willing to facilitate training and provide one-on-one guidance with budgets. It is a pleasure to recognize an administrator who is so willing to be actively involved in supporting the career skills of AAEOP members. In recognition of outstanding service and support of classified personnel, specifically education office professionals, AAEOP member are encouraged to nominate an administrator for AAEOP's Educational Administrator-of-the-Year Award. Contact Deyanna King for application information. Vicki Alonzo was selected as the recipient of the 2007-08 administrator of the year. Vicki is a classified administrator who is described as having an unending wealth of knowledge coupled with sincere desire to share that knowledge with others! Vicki Alonzo's professionalism, knowledge, and easy-going approach have made her and asset to the school district and a trusted leader whom office professionals appreciate. Debbie Leighton was selected as the 2006-07 AAEOP administrator of the year. She was recognized for her unwavering respect for and fair treatment of educational office professionals, leading by example, and supporting educational office professionals as they set and reach personal, professional, and career goals. Debbie Leighton openly recognizes AAEOP members as essential, vital, and integral to the day-to-day operations of the educational environment. Outstanding Achievement/Distinguished Service Award This award allows the AAEOP executive board to recognize a non-board member for outstanding personal achievement and/or thank them for professional involvement and/or service to the professional association. Jan Rhodes was selected as the 2009-10 recipient of the award for distinguished service. The executive board said, It makes “cents” to honor someone for a job well done. . . particularly if it is a job for which few people have volunteered. This year, your AAEOP board selected a member who often works behind the scenes to get things done. Members of the board consider themselves fortunate to have this person in the AAEOP corner. In addition to this person frequently being one with her hand up first, saying, “pick me,” she can be counted on to get her tasks done in a timely manner. In fact, she is known for her timeliness and accuracy. Being accurate is essential in all our tasks. . . the “checks and balances” have to all come out right in the end. Though we are a volunteer association, we are a professional association and are bound to behavior that demonstrates integrity, honesty, and pride. This member exemplifies these traits and more! It is with great pride that we chose to present the AAEOP Distinguished Service Award to Jan Rhodes. Marilyn Weigand was the first educational office professional to receive the AAEOP award for outstanding achievement/distinguished service. Debra White was honored with the award in 2008-09. Educational Office Professional of the Year Loretta Kingsolver was selected to receive AAEOP’s Educational Office Professional-of-the-Year Award for Deyanna King was chosen as the first recipient of AAEOP's Educational Office Professional-of-the-Year Award (2006-07). Laurali Larson was selected as the 2007-08 recipient and Cris Cruickshank was the 2008-09 recipient of this award. Recognizing the superior accomplishments and contributions of colleagues is gratifying. This award is designed to shine the spotlight on an office professional in the Auburn School District who is a positive role model who exemplifies professionalism; is involved in local, state, and/or national association activities; and is a life-long learner. For information about this award, or to receive a nomination packet, contact Deyanna King. Laurali Larson, AAEOP co-president, has been awarded the 2010 PSE President’s Leadership Award for Zone 7. Laurali will receive her award at the Annual PSE Convention, July 24, in Yakima. Click here to visit the PSE website and view the latest Public School Employees of Washington news. Congratulations to Lori Sanford who was named as one of eight employees to receive recognition as State Classified Employee of the Year! Lori has been a major ingredient of the glue that holds Lea Hill together since 1982, when she began serving as a parent volunteer. Lori is generally referred to as the "heart of the office," and colleagues testify to her unwavering commitment to respect, courtesy, and organization, and her attention to detail.
Kirsten is an inspirational (as evidenced by the Most Inspirational Award received in cross country) and energetic student. Counselor, John Tomasi describes Kirsten as “a leader.” With the admiration of members of the Auburn Mountainview dance team, and appreciation of her motivation from the team coach, Kirsten found many ways to demonstrate her drive, commitment to goals, and ability to accomplish anything she sets her mind to. Kirsten worked as a nanny for Carol Smetheram (dance coach), who says, “On a personal level. . . there is no higher level of trust than when you trust someone with your children.”
Ashley Whiting (AMHS), Gary Strand (ARHS), Danica Purple (AHS), and Liliana Morales (WAHS) received an AAEOP scholarship to help get their post-high school education started.
In 2006, one of the AAEOP scholarship recipients (Angelica Gonzalez) qualified to be sponsored by AAEOP for a scholarship from the state and national associations for educational office professionals. Angelica's applications were sent to WAEOP and NAEOP and she was selected to receive scholarships from both associations.
Since beginning her post-high school education at Green River Community College in 2006, Angelica has been on the Dean's List for exceptional grades, earned several more scholarships, received her associate degree, completed her bachelor degree through the University of Washington (Tacoma Campus), and is now bound for law school! This is a change from her original educational plan (her sights were initially set on a business degree and a career in a large company), but not to her commitment to continuously improve herself, serve others, raise her young daughter, and solidify how much she deserved the awards bestowed upon her. To read more about Angelica's U of W achievements, click here.
To support these scholarships, throughout the year AAEOP members host fundraising activities such as Shop ‘til You Drop, an evening of family games, car wash, sale of Entertainment Books, and more! You are invited to participate in fundraising events. Just contact either or the fundraising committee co-chairs, Pam Craft (253-931-4938) or Cris Cruickshank (253-931-4990), to find out about the next event on our calendar. We appreciate community support of our fundraising functions and invite people to make a contribution directly to the scholarship fund if that is more convenient than attending a special fundraising event. To make a contribution, contact one of AAEOP’s co-presidents or either co-chair of the fundraising committee.
Deyanna King or Laurali Larson (association co-presidents)
AAEOP Member Scholarship
2009-10. Loretta is a dedicated member of AAEOP who gives much of her time and talent to her professional organizations. She builds strong working relations with staff members, students, families, and community representatives. Loretta is always willing to step in to assist where needed. She is a true professional, and an asset and positive role-model for AAEOP.
Additional Recognition
Deyanna King was elected and installed (at the WAEOP Conference April 24) as the WAEOP Area 7 Director. She has a big job ahead of her but as we all know from the wonderful job she does in AAEOP she will handle this with ease and get the job done. She is already planning a WAEOP Professional Development Day (PDD) workshop.
At the WAEOP conference (April 23 and 24), Cris Cruickshank received WAEOP's distinguished service award. The award is named after Paula Thomas, a long-time member of the Washington Association of Educational Office Professionals (and NAEOP). Paula has been active in the state association since 1967. Candidates for the award are nominated by the WAEOP board and after the board votes, their recommendation is given to Paula for a final decision. This is the first time anyone from Auburn has received the award.