SIX - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Teachers, staff honored
at Crystal Apple Awards
-Continued from PAGE ONE strong relationships with
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students and their families,
advocating for them with
a friendly and caring de-
meanor.
Those who work with
her say Lemmon has, with-
out hesitation, stepped into
any role asked of her at
MEC from driving buses
and cleaning restrooms
to tutoring students and
holding a baby so a mother
could take a test.
According to one nom-
ination, “She is truly ded-
icated to the families of
MEC and does anything
she can to make it a warm
and welcoming place for
students and staff.”
A total of 46 Crystal
Apples were presented in
May to deserving educa-
tion staff in Eastern Ore-
gon. Winners from Mor-
row County and Umatilla
County school districts
were honored at the event at
the Pendleton Convention
Center on Tuesday, May
13. The events included
receptions for winners’
families and friends and
school district staff.
Each year, the IMESD
partners with its school
districts to recognize out-
standing administrators,
teachers, educational assis-
tants and office and building
staff for their dedication and
commitment to students
and for their willingness to
go the extra mile for student
success.
Nominations are sub-
mitted over a two-month
period by administrators,
coworkers, parents, stu-
dents and community mem-
bers. Winners are selected
from these nominations
by school district admin-
istration.
“Crystal Apple Awards
season is something we
look forward to every
year. It’s a privilege each
spring to recognize the
many talented and dedicat-
ed employees who serve
students at IMESD and in
our districts across the re-
gion,” said Michele Madril,
IMESD Director of Com-
munication.
Sup
er
ch
of each student.
In addition to her strong
teaching, she has stepped
up as a leader for FFA and
advisor for National Honor
Society and Yearbook. Cole
also shares her knowledge
and experience as a mentor,
where her unwavering spirit
and joy for her work shine
through.
Elizabeth Graham
Elizabeth Graham is a
special education/ life skills
teacher at Sam Boardman
Elementary School. She has
worked for MCSD for five
years. Always giving her
best for students and fam-
ilies, she greets everyone
with kindness and a smile.
Graham diligently works
to determine the best strat-
egies and classroom tools
to help each student reach
their potential. She always
puts her students first and
has a wonderful ability to
make them feel safe and
loved.
Her nomination form
said her students are “the
very luckiest individuals
to have Elizabeth as their
teacher, supporter, cheer-
leader and advocate.”
Stephanie Simpson
Stephanie Simpson is
a math teacher at Riverside
Jr./Sr. High School and has
worked for the district for
seven years. She maintains
excellence and academic
rigor in her classes while
cultivating positive interac-
tions with students.
Simpson is described as
very organized and fair, set-
ting the bar high, which stu-
dents recognize and work
hard to reach. Her hard
work and good ideas help
students realize their poten-
tial even in some of the hard
subjects she teaches.
In addition to teaching,
Stephanie is a dedicated ad-
visor to Key Club, supervis-
ing students at community
events and helping them re-
alize their leadership skills
and importance of giving
back.
Greg Grant
Greg Grant retired as
the head teacher/physical
education teacher at Hep-
pner Jr./Sr. High School. He
has worked for the district
for 35 years. During his
career, he enhanced the
PE Department, fostering
an inclusive environment
and establishing a stan-
dard of excellence that
promotes physical fitness
and well-being.
As an academic coun-
selor for students, he helped
them effectively navigate
their academic paths and
meet graduation require-
ments. Grant has devoted
many hours to improve
connections between stu-
dents and the communi-
ty, including creating the
annual Mustang Mop-Up
Community Service Event.
“Greg embodies the
spirit of the Mustang Way,
demonstrating genuine ded-
ication and loyalty to the
school and its students,”
said one nomination.
Susie Lemmon
Susie Lemmon is the
secretary at Morrow Ed-
ucation Center (MEC)
in MCSD, where she
has worked for 20 years.
Through multiple roles at
the center, she has built
Dancers shine at
spring recital
Softball seniors honored
at final home game
Tuesday, May 20, was senior recognition night for the Lady
Mustangs softball team. The Heppner/Ione Mustangs recog-
nized and honored four seniors, Ava Gerry, Kadie Henrichs,
Pre-K dancers performing their routine on stage. -Photo by
Keeley Nairns and Katie Spivey. Pictured L-R are softball
Rachel Sykes
seniors and their parents: Ryan Gerry, Ava Gerry, Samantha
crowd-pleasing hip hop.
By Rachel Sykes
Gerry, Josh Henrichs, Kadie Henrichs, Kim Henrichs, Cody
Each dancer brought High, Nicole High, Keeley Nairns, Kyle Nairns, Sarah Nairns,
On Thursday, May 22,
the stage at the Gilliam-Bis- their unique spirit and style Stephanie Spivey, Katie Spivey and Brian Spivey. -Contributed
bee lit up with energy and to the stage, captivating the photo
talent as Element Dance
Co. held its annual Spring
Recital. Hosted by dance
teacher Paige Counsell, the
evening showcased the hard
work and passion of the
dancers in a dynamic series
of performances.
The recital featured
10 pieces, including group
routines, duets, and solo
performances from kids IN
pre-school up to 8 th grade.
Audiences were treated to
a diverse lineup of dance
styles, ranging from ex-
pressive creative movement
to high-energy jazz and
audience with every leap,
spin, and beat. The variety
of choreography highlight-
ed both individual talent
and the strength of team-
work across the different
age groups and experience
levels.
M s . C o u n s e l l ’s
thoughtful direction and
choreography were evident
throughout the show, creat-
ing a memorable evening
that celebrated not just
dance, but dedication and
joy. Summer session sig-
nups are happening right
now, call 541-561-0028.
Six ladies braved the
cool and windy weather
May 20 for the ladies play
day at Willow Creek Coun-
try Club. Karen Thompson
had low gross of the field,
while Betty Carter had low
net. Sharon Harrison had
the least putts of the field.
For flight A, Pat
Dougherty had low gross.
For flight B, Colleen
Neubert had low gross and
Karen Wolff had low net.
Karen Wolff had KP.
A sunny and warm
Tuesday on May 27 made
for greater numbers on the
green, with 10 ladies out
enjoying some golf and
sunshine.
Karen Thompson had
low gross of the field, while
Betty Carter had low net.
Shirley Martin had the least
putts of the field.
For flight A, Tiffany
Clement had low gross,
while Pat Dougherty had
low net and long drive.
For flight B, Colleen
Neubert took low gross,
Kris Lindner had low net,
and Karen Smith-Griffith
had least putts and the long
drive.
WCCC ladies’ golf
Tuesdays begin with sig-
nups at 8:30 a.m.; play
begins at 9 a.m.
The Jo Pettyjohn Tour-
nament is planned for June
20-22.
Over the Tee Cup
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Fishing Derby May 31 - Cutsforth Pond,
Registration starts 8:30 am
Flag Day Ceremony June 14 - Come join the
ceremony that tells the history of the flag
Father’s Day Picnic June 15 - CutsforthPark
(members and their guests)
Lodge Hours:
Wed 4pm to close with dinner at 6pm
Thurs 4pm to close (Lodge at 8pm)
Fri & Sat 4pm to close with dinner from
5pm to 8pm off the menu
Members and their Guests
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