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North Central ESD 171

Pictured above (left): Superintendent Glenn Johnson, Cashmere; Friend of Children award winner Bob Wildfang; Charles Beresford, NCESD Board. Center: Cashmere S.D. Board of Directors and friends who came to see Mr. Wildfang receive his award. Right: Lake Chelan S.D. Board members, Siri Tift and Ken Brunner; Superintendent Jim Busey from Lake Chelan S.D. and Si Bautista, NCESD Board Chair.

North Central ESD hosts award programs

NCESD region recently completed the 25th year of celebrating school district employees at the regional Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan Excellence Banquets. Each year exemplary certificated and support staff from school districts within the four counties served by North Central ESD are honored at banquets, one for each county, held throughout March and April.

The Excellence Banquets began in 1985, and during that first year 14 districts participated and 27 awards were presented. This recognition event has, since then, grown into the four regional award programs. Since 1985, nearly 800 awards have been presented to deserving staff.

The first Friend of Children awards were presented in 1992 and continue even now to honor the best among the best. Local superintendents and principals across their districts and communities nominated those who serve unselfishly, without wish for fame, giving willingly to make a better school and a better community. Since 1992, over 50 individuals and businesses have received this prestigious award. In 2002, the award was renamed the Gene Sharratt Friend of Children award.

The newest NCESD award, begun in 2005, is the Regional Board of the Year. Since that time, five regional boards have been honored. Criteria for this award includes improvement of student learning, vision and leadership, teamwork, experiences of benefit to other school boards, and a thoughtful implementation plan.

Winners in these award programs receive an engraved plaque and are honored at a banquet in their honor. The purpose of the awards is to honor, recognize, and say thank you in a formal manner to those individuals who give daily and unselfishly to the children in our schools. These dedicated workers are indeed extraordinary in the performance of their duties.

~Eldene Wall, NCESD Public Relations