2009 Award Recipients Announced

Each year outstanding educators of the Okemos Public Schools are nominated by students, parents, and/or colleagues for their outstanding ability to inspire and motivate students, implement innovative and/or creative ideas, promote the welfare of students, and provide leadership within the school community. The Recipients of the 2009 Commitment to Excellence Award will receive a commemorative plaque and a $1,000 cash grant from the OEF. All recipients in the various categories will be featured in an OEF newsletter and honored at the OEF Awards Banquet. Congratulations to everyone!!
 
Based on the nomination packets submitted, the following educators were chosen as recipients for the
2009 Commitment to Excellence Award recipients :
       ·    Bob Bullock, Assistant Principal at Chippewa Middle School
       ·    Jennifer Holcomb, Fifth Grade Teacher at Cornell
       ·    Beth Josephson,Guidance Counselor at OHS
       ·    Christopher Smith,Social Studies Teacher and Department Chair at OHS
       ·    Deborah Sprecher,Music Teacher at Central and Edgewood
       ·    Marc Vickers, English Teacher and Drama Coach/Director at OHS
 
 
The Special Recognition Award is presented to support staff who demonstrate a passion for excellence and whose support elevates the Okemos district. Recipients will be honored at the OEF Awards Banquet and receive a commemorative plaque.
 2009 Special Recognition Award recipient:
       ·    Todd Sharp, Director of Transportation
 
The Dan C. Wertz Founder's Award is presented to an individual or business that has demonstrated a commitment to quality in education through its generous financial support of the Okemos Education Foundation.
2009 Dan C. Wertz Founder's Award recipients:
      ·    Kathy and Richard Schalter, Okemos parents
 
The Volunteer Service Award honors individuals who have a significant positive impact on students, staff, and/or the school community through their extraordinary volunteer service and will be honored at the OEF Awards Banquet and receive a commemorative plaque.
 2009 Volunteer Service Award recipient:
      ·    Rekha Sambamurthy, Debate Coach at Kinawa Middle School
 
The Alumni Award honors an alumnus of Okemos Public Schools who demonstrates exceptional dedication and achievement as well as humanitarian contributions.  This year, we are honoring a very distinguished group of Okemos alumni who prove that an Okemos education can indeed have a "world-wide" impact.  We are pleased to pay tribute to the following Okemos graduates who have served our country in the military.
 2009 Alumni Award recipients:
      ·    John Comar, Lieutenant Commander, Coast Guard (OHS '84)
      ·    Joseph Comar, Lieutenant Commander, Coast Guard (OHS '94)
      ·    Kimberley (Koons) Gipson, Lieutenant Colonel, Air Force (OHS '83)
      ·    Charles R. Miller Jr., Lieutenant Colonel, Army (OHS '86)
      ·    Matt Minnick, Captain, Army (OHS '92)
      ·    James Pocock, Lieutenant Colonel, Air Force (OHS '77)
      ·    Leanne (Bjornstad) Seguin, Captain, Army (OHS '92)
 
We hope you will join us in honoring the recipients at the annual OEF Awards banquet, to be held at the Country Club of Lansing.
 
OEF Awards Banquet
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Country Club of Lansing, 2200 Moores River Drive, Lansing, MI 48911 
Social Hour 5:30 p.m.
Dinner 6:30 p.m.

Ticket prices for this exceptional evening are:
Adult $30.00
Children (12 and younger) $12.00.  
 
Tickets will be available in schools October 1 through Wednesday, November 11, or by mailing us the Ticket Order form, or by calling 517-655-6307.  Tickets are limited-- so don't miss out!