The closing ceremony for School District of Washington staff was held Friday morning, May 23, in the CJB Theater at Washington High School.

The ceremony marked the end of the 2024-25 school year and celebrated accomplishments, presented service awards, technology recognition, recognized and thanked retirees, announced staff scholarships, and announced WINGS awards.

Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Kephart and Board of Education President Dan Leslie addressed the staff. Kephart gave opening remarks, outlined district highlights, the strategic plan, and gave closing remarks.

Brad Mitchell spoke on behalf of WINGS.

Announcing honors and service awards were SDOW Assistant Superintendents Dr. Rachael Franssen, John McColloch and Maranda Anderson.

Lori Ruether, nurse at South Point Elementary, was named SDOW and WINGS Support Staff Person of the Year. Augusta Elementary third-grade teacher Julia Young was named SDOW and WINGS Teacher of the Year in April and was recognized.

Receiving the Dr. Jane and Doug Reed Scholarship for $2,000 apiece were South Point Elementary sixth-grade teacher Emily Trentmann (certified staff) and SDOW maintenance worker Ben Hoemann (support staff). This is the 13^th year the Reeds have awarded the scholarships.

The top selling school of the WINGS discount cards, per student, was Campbellton Elementary. 

Retiring staff members recognized were Lydia Ciot, Linda Bromeier, Mary Ann Kassebaum, Scott Paulsen, Chris Marquart, Jeff Marquart, Sharen Jones, Cynthia Eckelkamp, Julie Strubberg, Cynthia Stroeher, Bill Deckelman, Chris Lanemann, Lisa Gleeson, Annette Miles, Gloria Bauermeister, Mary McKeever, Juli Schuster and Helen Connell.  

Honored for 30 years of service was Lisa Gleeson.    

Honored for 25 years of service were Scott Bray, Casey Campbell, Denver Ellis, Jessica Fitzgerald, Karen Fixsal, Sharen Jones, Chris Lanemann, Dale Loesing, Melissa Schulze and Barbara Schweich.  

Honored for 20 years of service were Cheryl Brueggemann, Jana Buchanan, Erin Declue, Ken Doyon, Rachael Franssen, Chris Gauzy, Sandra Gildehaus, Diana Klepper, Trisha Ley, Rebecca Lingle, Jeff Marquart, Melissa Mauchenheimer, Julie Meyer, Brenda Roloff, Karrie Schmidt, Sherry Schull, Danielle Snider, Ryan Snider, Denise Talucci, Krista Williams, Jenny Willis, Heather Yenzer and Angel Young.

Honored for 15 years of service were Curt Beers, Ann Bolzenius, Cynthia Eckelkamp, Adam Fischer, Michelle Holtmeyer, Jenny Kelpe, Robin Kluesner, Kimberly Pellin, Mary Robertson, Erin Scheer, Amanda Schweissguth, Stacey Secor, Kelly Stone and Dave Wells.

Honored for 10 years of service were Kayla Bartel, Joe Dierks, Lorna Griffen, Jennifer Hanneken, Christina Hewlett, Jodi Howell, Stephanie James, Jessica Lueckenhoff, Michelle Ming, Kimberly Osthoff, Karen Schmieder, Anne Stahl, Angela Stewart and Amanda Truetken.

Ann Maerli was recognized for continued service to SDOW.

Staff who participated in the Teaching With Technology Leadership Academy who received honors during the school year also were recognized.

Tech in the Classroom (Year 1) were Jennifer Boyce, Denver Ellis, Alicia Feldmann, Jenna Faust, Sonya Jones, Catherine Monzyk and Lisa Nadler.

Technology Leadership (Year 2) were Makenzie Ellis and Nathan Cabot.  

Beginning Teacher Assistance Program completers recognized were Emily Trentmann, Genevieve Nickelson, Jenna Faust, Katelyn Cassin, Angela Bee, Payton Sansom, Cole Nahlik, Emily Gebel, Hanna Butherus and Jill Fennell.

WINGS Support Staff of Year

Lori Ruether, nurse at South Point Elementary, was named SDOW and WINGS Support Staff Person of the Year. Brad Mitchell, WINGS, makes the presentation.

Dr. Jane and Doug Reed Scholarship

Receiving the Dr. Jane and Doug Reed Scholarship for $2,000 apiece were South Point Elementary sixth-grade teacher Emily Trentmann (certified staff) and SDOW maintenance worker Ben Hoemann (support staff).

Retiring Staff Members

Pictured are School District of Washington retiring staff members. Those recognized were Lydia Ciot, Linda Bromeier, Mary Ann Kassebaum, Scott Paulsen, Chris Marquart, Jeff Marquart, Sharen Jones, Cynthia Eckelkamp, Julie Strubberg, Cynthia Stroeher, Bill Deckelman, Chris Lanemann, Lisa Gleeson, Annette Miles, Gloria Bauermeister, Mary McKeever, Juli Schuster and Helen Connell.  

Service Awards: 30 years

Honored for 30 years of service was Lisa Gleeson.

Service Awards: 25 Years

Honored for 25 years of service were Scott Bray, Casey Campbell, Denver Ellis, Jessica Fitzgerald, Karen Fixsal, Sharen Jones, Chris Lanemann, Dale Loesing, Melissa Schulze and Barbara Schweich.  

Service Awards: 20 Years

Honored for 20 years of service were Cheryl Brueggemann, Jana Buchanan, Erin Declue, Ken Doyon, Rachael Franssen, Chris Gauzy, Sandra Gildehaus, Diana Klepper, Trisha Ley, Rebecca Lingle, Jeff Marquart, Melissa Mauchenheimer, Julie Meyer, Brenda Roloff, Karrie Schmidt, Sherry Schull, Danielle Snider, Ryan Snider, Denise Talucci, Krista Williams, Jenny Willis, Heather Yenzer and Angel Young.

Service Awards: 15 Years

Honored for 15 years of service were Curt Beers, Ann Bolzenius, Cynthia Eckelkamp, Adam Fischer, Michelle Holtmeyer, Jenny Kelpe, Robin Kluesner, Kimberly Pellin, Mary Robertson, Erin Scheer, Amanda Schweissguth, Stacey Secor, Kelly Stone and Dave Wells.

Service Awards: 10 Years

Honored for 10 years of service Kayla Bartel, Joe Dierks, Lorna Griffen, Jennifer Hanneken, Christina Hewlett, Jodi Howell, Stephanie James, Jessica Lueckenhoff, Michelle Ming, Kimberly Osthoff, Karen Schmieder, Anne Stahl, Angela Stewart and Amanda Truetken.