The Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation hosted its second annual Golden Apple Awards banquet on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at Wild Ridge & Mill Run Golf Course. The ceremony was emceed by WEAU’s Bob Gallaher, and featured remarks from Jamf founder and ECASD graduate, Zach Halmstad, who spoke fondly of his public schools experience in the district and acknowledged the many educators, his parents included, who had a great impact on his life. Earlier this spring, WEAU partnered with the Foundation to bring cameras to surprise honorees in their buildings with the news of their selection, and Bob and his team compiled the footage to create a touching video for the banquet.

The evening celebrated one Golden Apple Award honoree from each of the twenty schools in the Eau Claire Area School District, selected by nomination of their peers. Each honoree will receive a $500 grant to use in their schools/classrooms, and each school will also receive a $500 grant to their Fund For Today, sponsored by generous businesses in the Chippewa Valley. The event is an annual partnership with businesses to celebrate and show appreciation for exceptional faculty and staff in the district.

Chippewa Valley Montessori Charter School honors Jeremy Harrison, Kindergarten-6th Grade Teacher

            Sponsored by Mayo Clinic Health System

DeLong Middle School honors Sarah Binder, Special Education Teacher

            Sponsored by C&M Homebuilders and Real Estate

Flynn Elementary School honors JoAnn Waldhart Adams, 3rd Grade Teacher

            Sponsored by Marshfield Clinic and Security Health Plan

Lakeshore Elementary School honors Melinda Wright, Physical Education Teacher

            Sponsored by Sylvan Learning

Locust Lane Elementary School honors Mike Peplinski, 4th Grade Teacher

            Sponsored by Xcel Energy

Longfellow Elementary School honors Tom Dahl, Physical Education Teacher

            Sponsored by Kristo Orthodontic Specialists

Manz Elementary School honors Becky Linderholm, English Learning Teacher

            Sponsored by Indianhead Foodservice Distributor

Meadowview Elementary School honors Katie Engel, School Psychologist

            Sponsored by UWEC College of Education and Human Sciences

Memorial High School honors Erin Layde, Biology and Life Science Teacher

            Sponsored by McDonald’s Courtesy Corporation

McKinley Charter School honors Megan McCrackin, Competency Component Teacher

            Sponsored by Student Transit

North High School honors Renee Morehead, Family/Consumer Education Teacher

            Sponsored by Royal Credit Union

Northstar Middle School honors Michelle Olson, 6th Grade and English Learning Teacher

            Sponsored by Wipfli

Northwoods Elementary School honors Cheryl Moss, Special Education Assistant

            Sponsored by McDonough Manufacturing Co.

Prairie Ridge Early Learning Center honors Melinda Daubitz, Headstart Assistant

            Sponsored by Royal Construction

Putnam Heights Elementary School honors Dayna Smith, School Secretary

            Sponsored by Marsh & McLennan Agency

Robbins Elementary School honors Heather Kapanke, Guidance Counselor

            Sponsored by Ken Vance Motors

Roosevelt Elementary School honors Jason Wendtland, 4th Grade Teacher

            Sponsored by Charter Bank

Sam Davey Elementary School honors Mary Uelmen, Special Education Assistant

            Sponsored by Marine Credit Union

Sherman Elementary School honors Tim McManus, 2nd Grade Teacher

            Sponsored by Market & Johnson

South Middle School honors Scott Faris, Science Teacher

            Sponsored by Northwestern Bank

 Many thanks to Bob Gallaher and WEAU for their dedication, time, coverage and service to this great cause; to Sacred Heart Hospital for their gift of design and print services; to Festival Foods for their gift of wine for the banquet dinner; and to Eau Claire Area School District for their loyal support of the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation, and their support of the district faculty and staff! Save the date for the 2018 Golden Apple Awards: Thursday, April 5, 2018.

For more information about the Golden Apple Awards or to make a gift to the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation, contact Executive Director, Sarah French at sfrench1@ecasd.us or (715) 852-3015. You can also explore the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation website.