[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 73 (Thursday, May 1, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E374-E375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRESSIONAL EDUCATION AWARD
______
HON. VERN BUCHANAN
of florida
in the house of representatives
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of outstanding
school employees in Florida's 16th Congressional District.
School employees work tirelessly because they understand that their
efforts are not just about fulfilling a job description, but about
shaping the future.
They deserve recognition because they are the architects of
knowledge, the mentors of tomorrow's leaders, and the unsung heroes who
work behind the scenes to ensure that every child has the opportunity
to thrive.
Eleven years ago, I established the Congressional Education Awards
program with the aim of providing special acknowledgment to
administrators, educators, and support staff within Florida's 16th
Congressional District for their outstanding achievements in both
teaching and inspiring students.
The following school employees were nominated and selected to receive
Florida's 16th District's 2025 Congressional Education Award for their
accomplishments:
Leadership Award: Joseph Hougland, Stewart Elementary
School.
Hurricane Shelter Award: Laura Roark, Sylvia Sorto and
Andrea Keezer, Williams Elementary School; Joanne Gushue and
Hayley Rio, Harvey Elementary School; Angelia Thompson,
Lillian Parsons and Deanna Fisher, Shields Middle School;
Miriam Jordan, Scott Samsoe and Bradley Scarbrough, Buffalo
Creek Middle School; Kimberly Coulson, George Coulson and
Rebecca Sargable, Collins PK-8 School; Tiffany Staton, Flor
Pardo and Melissa McCullough, Daugherty Elementary School;
Maricely Mendez, Olga Castillo and Aliya Norman, Reddick
Elementary School; Ginger Thomas, Ana Miranda and Kate
Barlaug, Mona Jain Middle School; Brenda Rau, Charles Parsons
and Gary Graham, Durant High School; Kristen Bowden, Anissa
McDuffy and Kimone Cooper, Lee Middle School; Sara Walker,
Patti Heffner, Juliette Gjini, Michelle Liemann and Carol
Pope, Freedom Elementary School; Carmen Palacios, Lenny
Draper and Connie Dixon, Gene Witt Elementary School; Kevin
Harrington, Tracey Shank and Sheila Waid, McNeal Elementary
School; Leslie Bothke, Mike Brabrandt and Todd Richardson,
Gullett Elementary School; Annie Mousseau, Jennifer Pettas,
Cristal Garcia and Debra Riley, Miller Elementary School;
Crystal Pagan, Joshua Fuentes and Christine Wasylkiw, Sumner
High School; Premdai Hansraj, Mohammad Hammad and Tamara
Brooks, Mulrennan
[[Page E375]]
Middle School; Michelle Bailey, Lisa McLeod and Carol Ricks,
Myakka City Elementary School; Mary Cardarelle-Hermans,
Robert Greer and Carl Auckerman, Nolan Middle School; Aaron
Depaola, Antonio Da Silva and Kathy Price, Willis Elementary
School; Tania Vidal, Laura Sanchez and Greg Sander, Prine
Elementary School; Roxie Blackwelder and Richard Greene, Sugg
Middle School; Deanna Sabatino, German Pena-Garcia and James
Mennes, Mills Elementary School.
Relief After the Storm Award: Hillsborough Education
Foundation; Manatee Education Foundation.
Support Staff Award: Eric Cooke, Williams Elementary
School; Emanuel Harris, Braden River Middle School; Kelly
Taillefer, Braden River Middle School; Steven Vance, Braden
River Middle School; Brooke Whalen, Dorothy C. York
Innovation Academy; Fay Pollack Servoss, Rogers Garden-
Bullock Elementary School; Angela Nowakowski, Gene Witt
Elementary School; Sherriann Johnson, Gibsonton Elementary
School; Lora Sevarino, McNeal Elementary School; Nicole
Yancey, Myakka City Elementary School; Kimberly Thomas,
Willis Elementary School; Suzanne Theiss, Southeast High
School; Dilcia Navarro, State College of Florida Collegiate
school.
Teacher Award: Laura Redeker, Anna Maria Elementary School;
Susan Nova, Harvey Elementary School; Katharine Kimbrell,
Braden River Middle School; Jessica Mynatt, Braden River
Middle School; Tasheta Riley, Braden River Middle School;
Joseph Gibson, Haile Middle School; Kim Wilder, Gene Witt
Elementary School; Stacy Freeman, McNeal Elementary School;
Julie Read, McNeal Elementary School; Sarah Tateosian, McNeal
Elementary School; Stephanie Tretolo, McNeal Elementary
School; Natalie Hutchings, Newsome High School; Christiana
Miller, Newsome High School; Montine Vona-Pergola, Newsome
High School; Kathleen Yates, Newsome High School; Leslie
Windheuser, Sumner High School; Felicia Chasey, Lakewood
Ranch High School; McKenzie Gorskey, Lakewood Ranch High
School; Jennifer Grant, Lakewood Ranch High School; John
Wilkerson, Lakewood Ranch High School; Linda Chamberlain,
Manatee Technical College; Hannah Hunter, Willis Elementary
School; Noelle Kourakos, Willis Elementary School; Kathleen
Bayliss, Sea Breeze Elementary School; Andrew Angelo, St.
Stephen's Episcopal School; Geoff Revard, St. Stephen's
Episcopal School; Emily Vargas, State College of Florida
Collegiate School.
Administrator Award: Rudy Keezer, Ballard Elementary
School; Marcos Rodriguez, Bloomingdale High School;
Kimberlain Zenon, Braden River Middle School; Samantha Webb,
Able Elementary School; Sheila Waid, McNeal Elementary
School; Marla Massi-Blackmore, Tillman Elementary School;
Jeannie Galindo, Lakewood Ranch High School; Jennifer Canady,
Riverview High School; Craig Page, Southeast High School.
On behalf of the people of Florida's 16th District, I congratulate
each of these outstanding educators and offer my sincere appreciation
for their service and dedication.
____________________