HURON — The Huron School District recognized employees with special end-of-the-year awards and other awards, during the district’s 35th annual employee recognition banquet, held Wednesday evening at the Huron Event Center.
Special awards were presented to the Teachers of the Year, from each learning group, including Beth Neitzert, Huron High School; Stacey Westby, Madison 2-3 Center and Joel Bergeson, Huron Middle School.

Classified Employees of the Year are: Willie Williams, Transportation Dept.; and Janet Johnsen, School Nutrition Dept.

Janet Johnsen (School Nutrition Department) and Willie Wilson (Transportation Department) were chosen as Classified Employees of the Year, while Akina Decker, a social worker at Huron Middle School, was the district’s Professional Support Staff Employee of the Year.

Retiring educators recognized at Wednesday night’s Huron School District Employee Banquet were, from left: Teresa Smith, Lisa McCarty, Kelly Rotert, Barb Myhre, Karla Sawvell and Brenda Snyder.

Seven long-term educators who will retire at the end of the school year were recognized as well:
• Karla Sawvell - 19 years - Middle School Food Service.

• Teresa Smith - 25 Years - Huron Middle School Teacher.
• Kathy Kempf - 25 Years - High School Food Service.
• Brenda Snyder - 30 Years - Business Office Administrative Assistant.
• Lisa McCarty - 33 Years - Buchanan K/1 Center Instructional Coach.
• Barb Myhre - 37 Years - Madison ⅔ Center Teacher.
• Kelly Rotert - 38 Years - Academic Evaluator.

The following employees were honored for meritorious service:  
5 Years: Nayeli Adauto, Chad Beck, Tiffany Eckmann, Ana Hernandez, Sydney Katz, Lu Klut, Kris Lavalee, Tanya Leiferman, Angela Lindhorst-Dennis, Debra McAlister, Kayla McCloud, Rebecca Neugebauer, Renee Person, Andrew Raml, Amanda Reilly, Jessica Rodacker, Matthew Ruedebusch, Emily Salinas, Kerry Schnabel, Hannah Sibley, Brad Sibson, Kelsey Small and Nikki Steilen.
10 Years; Jared Beck, Lauren Berkenpas, Kimberly Feideman, Linda Gibson, Laci Guy, Megan Hein, Richard Hofer, Amanda Katzenberger, Amy Kaufman, Krissa Korkow, Janet Larson, Ann McClaury, Romana Olivo, Joselyn Schmitz, Michael Schmitz, Roberta Sterett, Cheryl Styer, Sandy Swenson, Jessica Arena, Cheryl Wendel, Wilber Williams and Kathleen Wilson.

15 Years: Brandi Fitzgerald, Jennifer Fuchs, Linda Halter, Jill Hins, Amy Hofer, Alanna Joy, Brandi Knippling, Jeannie Lorenz, Rodney Mittelstedt, Tim Nihart, Heather Rozell, Chris Rozell, Sarah Rubish, Lisa Schneider and Marianne Trandall.
20 Years: Mike Carda, Lacey Fryberger, Kelly Johnson .
25 Years: Vicky Davis, Peggy Heinz, Michelle Johnson, Kathy Kempf, Lisa Kissner, Melissa Peterson, Nancy Shoultz, Teresa Smith and Chris Stahly.
30 Years: Brenda Snyder
35 Years: Al Steffen

Akina Decker, Professional Support Staff Employee of the Year.