Some Emporia teachers and staff members received special recognition Tuesday when members of the Hopkins family surprised them with checks ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
The checks were part of the annual awards from the E.L. and Irene Hopkins Foundation, which honors exceptional job performance of teachers and staff. Teachers receive Star Performer Awards, while staff members receive WOW awards.
Michelle Hopkins-Molinaro, Foundation secretary and manager, announced the awards at school assemblies across the district after her father, Kenny Hopkins, explained the background and purposes of the awards. Irene Hopkins, Foundation president, was among the family members who attended the events.
Kenny Hopkins said that this year’s winners were selected in a secret ballot by a 10-member panel of retired teachers, board of education and community members, and two Hopkins Foundation representatives.
“Even the members of the committee don’t know the winners as we speak today,” Hopkins said during a morning stop at Emporia High School.
Pam McGuire, vocal music instructor at Emporia Middle School, had been the first winner announced Tuesday morning. She received a $5,000 Star Performer award.
“Wow! What a surprise!” McGuire said minutes later. “I don’t know what to think. How exciting!”
McGuire said the district has many wonderful teachers.
“I’m just blessed today,” she said.
Art teacher Alan Keck received the $5,000 Star Performer Award at EHS, the next stop. Keck was cited as an influential mentor who stood by students through challenges and helped them succeed.
Other EHS winners were family and consumer science teacher Lynette Yevak, a $2,500 Star Performer award; counselor Teresa Maley, a $1,000 Star Performer award; and paraeducator Marla Adkins, a $1,000 WOW award.
The third $5,000 Star Performer winner was Susan Cates, early childhood teacher at Walnut School.
The entourage of Hopkins family, Foundation board members, and school officials visited eight Emporia schools before they’d finished distributing $29,500 worth of over-sized checks.
Others who received $2,500 Star Performer awards were Jeanette Sliter, special education interrelated teacher at Lowther North Intermediate School, and Jeannie Jenkins, Head Start preschool teacher at Maynard.
Other $1,000 Star Performer awards went to Andy Battenfield, physical education teacher at Lowther South Intermediate School, and Lori Rainey, third grade teacher at Timmerman.
The remaining $1,000 WOW awards went to Ginger Haas, paraeducator at LNIS; Carol Alderman, building support technician at Riverside; and Bernard Bueno, head custodian at Walnut.
In the five years the awards have been presented, 66 individuals have received a total of $148,500 in prize money, according to Nancy Horst, community relations director for the school district.
Winners will be honored at the district’s annual Staff Recognition Program May 16 and their names will be added to a plaque on the Hopkins Wall of Honor at the district office, she said.
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
I can not even begin to tell you what I think of this one!!!!
May 9, 2007 at 4:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eljefe101 (anonymous) says...
Wow i was there i saw it it was BORRRRRRRRRRRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 11, 2007 at 7:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lurker75 (anonymous) says...
enlighten us dave.
May 11, 2007 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
This is difficult for me because of mixed feelings.(I will not go into detail). I am thankful that the Hopkins are willing to give to the community. I remember that they moved their business to Mexico for cheap labor and not to have to pay benefits for the employees. How many people lost their jobs over this? I also remember them "donating" their house to ESU. What a big tax write off for them as if they did not have the money to pay the taxes!! Now, we as Lyon County residents get to pay tax dollars on the property. They are very smart people!
May 11, 2007 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barbara61 (anonymous) says...
I can always depend on the comments of daveedailey to tell it like it is ...... Love those kind of people. ( HA)
May 12, 2007 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )