Volunteers honored by school district

PALMER -- More than two dozen people were honored Wednesday night at the Mat-Su Borough School District board meeting for their volunteer services to local schools.

Each of the 25 people awarded were given a certificate and a pin that states, "I care," signifying their dedication to Mat-Su's children. Kim Floyd, public information specialist with the school district, read an introduction and words of praise written by school administrators for each of the volunteers present Wednesday.

The following people were honored by the school district as 2003 Outstanding Volunteers: Kelly Malidore, honored by Academy Charter School; Linda DenBleyker, Burchell High; Lin Mitchell, Pat Lewis and Susan Minturn, Butte Elementary; Beth Whitmore, Colony High; Carrie Enloe, Colony Middle; Katie Vandehei, Cottonwood Creek Elementary; Michelle Eastham, Goose Bay Elementary; Sheryl Pierce, Iditarod Elementary; Heather McVeigh, Larson Elementary; John Cannon and Lori Bowman, Midnight Sun Charter School; Diane Meekin, Palmer High; Tami Drake, Palmer Jr. Middle; Becky Baker and Vickie Wintz, Pioneer Peak; Rhonda Dunlap, Sherrod Elementary; Dina Ramirez and Diane Van Hoomissen, Swanson Elementary; Jack MacDonald, Talkeetna Elementary; Anne Kilkenny, Teeland Middle; Duronda Twigg, Trapper Creek; and Vicki Carnahan and Olga Podbielski, Wasilla Middle.

The schools were each asked to nominate one volunteer who stood out among others as someone who went above and beyond, dedicating their time and energy toward the school and the students. Several of the schools, however, chose more than one recipient.