Employee Awards

The Excellence In Education Awards Ceremony was held in the Davis High School Auditorium on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM. The cost was $5.00 per person. Nominees, their guests, Yakima School District students (with ID), and children five and under attended for free.

Crystal Apple Nominees

This award honors the certified educator profession by awarding certificated individuals who positively impact the lives and futures of their students. Crystal Apple Awards are given by the business community in Yakima, not the district. The chairpersons of the Crystal Apple Awards this year are Carmela Solarzano and Drew Harris. The goals of the Crystal Apple Awards are to...

• Reward excellence in education in the Yakima Public Schools
• Encourage creative and quality instruction
• Encourage the development of a positive learning environment
• Encourage excellent educators to remain in education as a career
• Provide an incentive for individual initiative on the part of educators
• Contribute in a substantive way to the improvement of education in the Yakima School District.

Allison Jones, Instructional Facilitator at Gilbert Elementary School

Amae Merrill, 3rd Grade Teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School

Amy Seely, SLP at Adams and Nob Hill Elementary School

Anna Betancourt, 2nd Grade Dual Language Teacher at Adams Elementary School

Delia Torres, Counselor at Barge Lincoln Elementary School

Heidi Griffin, ELA Instructional Facilitator at Eisenhower High School

Israel Fuentes, 4th Grade Teacher at Whitney Elementary School

Josh Holliday, Medical Sciences Teacher at YV-Tech

Justin Regalado, Kindergarten Teacher at Gilbert Elementary School

Katelin Crowner, Music Teacher at Wilson Middle School

Kenzie Ballard, 3rd Grade Teacher at Gilbert Elementary School

Natalia Rodriguez, 6th Grade Read 180/Reading Intervention at Washington Middle School

Raul Alvarado, Physical Education Teacher at Davis High School

Robyn Harris, 2nd Grade Teacher at Hoover Elementary School

Stephanie Means, 4th Grade Teacher at Adams Elementary School

Trindi Alvizo, 7th Grade Read 180/Reading Intervention at Washington Middle School

Shining Star Nominees

The purpose of this award is to recognize the outstanding achievements of Yakima Public Schools’ classified employees. It honors those employees who consistently demonstrate outstanding work performance, exemplary leadership, collaboration, and dedication to the district and its mission every day.

Blanca Zepeda, Student and Family Liaison at Hoover Elementary School

Ibet Vargas, Behavior Paraprofessional at McClure Elementary School

Jazmin Talavera, Front Desk Coordinator/ Receptionist at Central Services

Josefa Garcia, Special Education Paraprofessional at Barge Lincoln Elementary School

Joy Haughton, Paraeducator at Nob Hill Elementary School

Kristy Calkins, Athletics/Activities Secretary and Facility Rental Coordinator at Central Services

Lizbeth Olivera, Paraeducator at Discovery Early Learning

Rodney Hankinson

Jorge and Jazmin Herrera

Nina and John Rodriguez

Kyoko Durkee

Katrina Goodwin

 

 

Click Here to View the Past Winners of the Crystal Apple Award

The business community awards the annual Crystal Apple awards for Yakima School District certificated employees like teachers, counselors, etc.

Click Here to View the Past Winners of the Shining Star Award

Our Shining Star award, known historically as the classified employee of the year award has been awarded to over 150 employees in the Yakima School District. We look forward to adding more to the list this year!