Volunteers honored

Nominees for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Volunteer of the Year were honored at last week's Mat-Su Borough School Board meeting. Principals from each school nominated their top volunteers for the award, with Goose Bay Elementary School's Kris Moore receiving this year's award.

"Volunteers really make the difference between success and almost success," said school board president Mike Chmielewski.

District spokeswoman Kim Floyd planned the ceremony, which occurred shortly after retiring employees received a cake and congratulations.

"People really do deserve recognition," Floyd said.

The 2003-2004 Volunteer of the Year nominees are: John Cannon, Midnight Sun Charter School; Mary Ann Wick, Colony Middle School; Margo Poe, Colony Middle School; Kris Moore, Goose Bay Elementary School; Stacey Ruta, Goose Bay Elementary School; Melissa Brazeau, Talkeetna Elementary School; Ginny Hoyt, Teeland Middle School; Nina Mallo, Teeland Middle School; Pioneer Peak PTA/Jenny Michaelson, Pioneer Peak Elementary School, Donna Yarbro, Sutton Elementary School; Beth Whitmore, Colony High School; Jenny Krepel, Su Valley Jr./Sr. High School; Cheryl Davis, Meadow Lakes Elementary School; Lisa Short, Cottonwood Creek Elementary School; Rachel Dodd, Larson Elementary School; Danielle Dodge, Big Lake Elementary School; Erin Pharr, Big Lake Elementary School; Mark Figelski, Palmer Junior Middle School; Chris Waska, Valley Pathways; Shelly Shorten, Glacier View Elementary School; Ginger Moreland-Drake, SeeUOnline; Martha Brady, Houston High School; Diane VanHoomisen, Swanson/Sherrod Elementary Schools; Cammie Walker, Willow Elementary School; Teri Osterkamp, Academy Charter School; Kim Grove, Academy Charter School; Audrey Badger, Butte Elementary School; Janece Mesick, Snowshoe Elementary School; Anne Knobbe-Bolling, Palmer High School; Maureen Strawn, Palmer High PTO, Palmer High School; Diane Meekin, Palmer High School; Kathy Hall, Palmer High School; Connie Goza, Finger Lake Elementary School; Kay Peterson, Wasilla Middle School; Duronda Twigg, Trapper Creek Elementary School; Trish McDougal, Houston Middle School; Kim Emmi, Swanson Elementary School; and Kathy Widmer, Wasilla High School.

Contact Jen Ransom @jen.ransom@frontiersman.com.