Eleven outstanding educators, administrators, support staff, community partners and volunteers on Tuesday, Oct, 14 were honored with Apex Awards, the most prestigious recognition in Canyons District.
Click here to view Apex Award winner vignettes and videos.
At the red-carpet event held at Butler Middle School, the top award— the Legacy Award — was presented to former Canyons Board of Education President, Nancy Tingey.
The job of a school board president is never easy, not even in relatively quiet years.
But when the world was turned upside down by a global health crisis with vast local implications, the role of the leader of the Canyons Board of Education required a steady hand, a backbone of steel, and a soft touch to satisfy the most-divided folks on the political spectrum. During her time as President, Nancy Tingey had all of that — and so much more.
“Nancy’s levelheadedness and insights are unmatched,” says Board of Education President Amber Shill. “Through the ups and downs of the past 10 years, Nancy has remained a steady, positive influence on the District. The District owes her much, and her impact will be felt for generations by both employees, families, and students.”
The 16th annual ceremony featured performances by the Alta High Ballroom Dance Team, the cast of Corner Canyon’s upcoming production of “Mary Poppins,” and Hillcrest theater student Avery Rinke, who won first place in monologues at the recent national Shakespeare competition.
The Apex Award for Teacher of the Year was given to Midvale Elementary’s Lucía de la Cruz Rodriguez. She is known as one of the premier DLI teachers in the District — and now the state.
The Apex Award for School Administrator of the Year was awarded to Indian Hills Middle Principal Shelly Karren. From coaching basketball to teaching, and now leading the Warriors, Karren has dedicated more than two decades to educating young minds.
This year, two deserving women received the Apex Award for District Administrator of the Year.
For more than a decade, Kirsten Stewart has helped guide the District’s public relations and marketing team as Associate Director of Communications. Also honored for her administrative work was Canyons’ Assistant Director of Accounting, Shana Lowe, who ensures payroll runs smoothly twice a month.
The Apex Award for Elected Official of the Year was presented to Draper Mayor Troy K. Walker. As the Mayor of Draper City, Walker has been a steadfast supporter of Canyons District since its beginning days. He was on the Draper City Council for CSD’s inaugural years and continues to work as a partner with CSD for the shared constituencies
This year, two Education Support Professionals of the Year were chosen. Kathy Hilton has been a pillar of the Corner Canyon community since the school was founded in 2013. Also honored was Charlotte B. Graham, who has been head secretary at East Midvale Elementary for 47 years.
The Apex Award for Student Support Services Professional of the Year was awarded to Denise Haycock, Development Officer for the Canyons Education Foundation.
The Apex Award for Volunteer of the Year was presented to Treven Cole, who continued to work the Patriots’ cafeteria – as a volunteer— when his salary as a Nutrition Services worker threatened his eligibility for federal disability benefits.
The Apex Award for Community Partner of the Year was presented to a man who embodies what it means to be a Beetdigger, Dan C. Jorgensen. Dan and his wife Elaine have given a substantial amount of funds to better the school’s students and staff.
“Our winners are much like every other Canyons District employee and community supporter,” says Canyons Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins. “We meet students where they are, and day by day, we help them see the potential they have deep inside. Year after year, they learn and grow, until they walk proudly across the graduation stage, ready to take on the world.”
