Blue Apple Awards
Each year, nominations are accepted to recognize eight special recipients for Blue Apple Awards (Formerly Of the Year Awards). Nominations can be submitted by BPS staff, students, parents, alumni and community members.
NEW in 2025/26 – In response to staff survey feedback and our growing district, the New Educator, Distinguished Educator, and Support Staff awards will now each have two recipients: one at the elementary level and one at the secondary level.
Nominations can be submitted by BPS staff, students, parents, alumni and community members. Recipients are selected by BPSF committees based on the following Rubrics and Guidelines.
Nominations Open Feb 1-28
2025 Award Categories
New Educator of the Year
Recognizes a certified staff member in their first five years at BPS.
One elementary recipient and one secondary recipient will be selected.
Each receives $500
Distinguished Educator of the Year
Honors a certified staff member with five or more years at BPS.
One elementary recipient and one secondary recipient will be selected.
Each receives $500
Support Staff of the Year
Celebrates outstanding contributions by non-certified staff.
One elementary recipient and one secondary recipient will be selected.
Each receives $500
School Volunteer of the Year
Honors an individual who consistently gives time and support to students and staff across the district.
One recipient
Distinguished Alumni
Recognizes a BHS graduate whose accomplishments reflect positively on Bennington Public Schools.
One recipient
Past Recipients
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Educator of the Year
2025 – Kristin Straight (Distinguished), Mickayla Hegy (New)
2024 – Tonya Eurek (Distinguished), Phil Scherer (New)
2023 – Chris Tomjack (Distinguished), Kathryn Sindelar (New)
2022 – Janna Pohlmann-Noel (Distinguished), Maddie Weaver (New)
2021 – Kris Melvin (Distinguished), Emily Weitzenkamp (New)
2020 – Laura McGrew (Distinguished), Alex Saunders (New)
2019 – Jen Flynn (Distinguished), Amy Nguyen (New)
2018 – Tye Hanke (Distinguished), Mariah Babbel (New)
2017 – Abby Fitzgerald
2016 – Kellie Backlund
2015 – Gary Sather
2014 – Emily Panning
2013 – Stan Turner
2012 – Cindy Pichler
2011 – Ken Crookshank
2010 – Wendy Andersen
2009 – Dawn Kucera
2008 – Denise Hoge
2007 – Jim Dickson
2006 – Karen Brostad
2005 – Kathy Valasek
2004 – Jim Dickson
2003 – Sister Barb Ficenec
2002 – Juanita Schmidt
2001 – Janiece Coe
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Support Staff of the Year
2025 – Mindy Bird
2024 – Norise Young
2023 – DeAndra Dirkschneider
2022 – Linda White
2021 – Shelly Christiansen
2020 – Gay Copeland
2019 – Lyle Brayton
2018 – Kathy Nowak
2017 – Bonnie Eikmeier
2016 – Rob Loptin
2015 – Denise Heppner
2014 – Kelly Witt
2013 – Miriam Sukraw
2012 – Trena Rice
2011 – Carol Loptin
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School Volunteer of the Year
2025 – Kelly Van Haitsma
2024 – Mandy Evert
2023 – Danita Diamond
2022 – Brenda Ferris
2021 – Tracy J. Behnken
2020 – Curt Bohn
2019 – Dr. Bacino
2018 – Nicki Byars
2017 – Chuck Oborny
2016 – Nadine Menke
2015 – Melissa Freed
2014 – Andrew Brueckner
2013 – Robyn Romero
2012 – Julie Schrum
2011 – Dr Jeff & Kristi Jacobs
2010 – Marcia Ellison
2009 – Mark Reimers
2008 – Chris Renter
2007 – Miriam Sukraw
2006 – Leann Siekman
2005 – Rochelle Samuelson
2004 – Sally McElroy
2003 – Linda Williams
2002 – Marilee Braesch
2001 – Wendy Andersen
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Distinguished Alumni
2025 – Rob Loptin, Class of 1981
2024 – Connie Blazek Wickham, Class of 1976
2023 – Brett Erickson, Class of 1978
2022 – Nancy Mohr, Class of 1974
2021 – Albert Weberg Jr Class of 1965 & Tim Clark Class of 1996
