Tempe Diablos Award Nearly $272,000 to Educators and Student Scholarships During Excellence in Education

Tempe Diablos Charities awarded a total of $31,500 to the exceptional educators who serve the community during their 37th Annual Excellence in Education Awards last night. The local Tempe nonprofit recognized educators and school staff across three local school districts for their dedication, leadership and impact on students. Tempe Diablos also awarded $240,000 in scholarships to 30 deserving high school seniors to support their college education pursuits.

Teachers, administrators, support staff and volunteers from the Kyrene School District, Tempe Union High School District and Tempe Elementary School District were recognized across seven award categories, including Teacher of the Year, Lifetime Achievement and Rising Star.

“Our passion for the Excellence in Education Awards is rooted in a deep appreciation for the educators, administrators, and staff who make a lasting impact on our community,” said Brad Cox, Chairman of Excellence in Education for the Tempe Diablos. “Their dedication, leadership and commitment to growth help shape not only individual futures, but the strength and success of the Tempe community as a whole.”

A total of 21 educators and staff members received top honors, including the following award recipients:

Teacher of the Year

• Suzi Juetten, Kyrene School District – Mirada Leadership Academy
• Mick Wojciechowicz, Tempe Union High School District – Marcos de Niza High School
• Haley TenHope, Tempe Elementary School District – John J. Curry Elementary School

Lifetime Achievement

• Mary Jane Rincon, Kyrene School District – District Office
• Natasha Alston, Tempe Union High School District – Mountain Pointe High School
• Carolyn Zimmerman, Tempe Elementary School District – Rover Elementary School

Leadership

• Ashley Lemieux, Kyrene School District – Principal, Pueblo Middle School
• Jack Vermeer, Tempe Union High School District – Mountain Pointe High School
• Christina Culbertson, Tempe Elementary School District – District Counselor Coordinator

High Impact

• Liz Morris, Kyrene School District – Mirada Leadership Academy
• Heather Hunt-Castañon, Tempe Union High School District – Marcos de Niza High School
• Kaitlynn Dyal, Tempe Elementary School District – Scales Technology Academy

Inspiration

• Finn McLaron, Kyrene School District – Manitas Elementary School
• Nicole Olmstead, Tempe Union High School District – Volunteer, McClintock High School
• Maggie Lawrence, Tempe Elementary School District – Getz Preschool

Rising Star

• Jacqueline Rios Ramirez, Kyrene School District – Brisas Elementary School
• Ricky Livoni, Tempe Union High School District – Tempe High School
• Jillian McCormick, Tempe Elementary School District – Scales Technology Academy

Class Act

• Linh Sullivan, Kyrene School District – Secretary, Mirada Leadership Academy
• Manny Torres Osnaya, Tempe Union High School District – Security Officer & Varsity Soccer Coach, Tempe High School
• Pamela Latham, Tempe Elementary School District – Instructional Assistant, John J. Curry Elementary School

In addition to educator awards, the Tempe Diablos also recognized Tempe scholars beginning their academic journey at Arizona State University and Maricopa Community Colleges this fall, awarding $240,000 in scholarships, all of whom were honored on stage during the ceremony.For more information, visit tempediabloscharities.org.

About Tempe Diablos

The Tempe Diablos are a group of community leaders, business executives and driven individuals dedicated to enhancing the City of Tempe and surrounding neighborhoods. For more than 50 years, members of the Tempe Diablos have donated their time, resources, talents and money to provide scholarships, grants and more to Tempe youth, education and charitable programs. Since the group’s inception in 1968, it has donated approximately $20 million to local nonprofits while providing leadership that creates worthwhile opportunities for the children of Tempe. For more information about the group’s mission, visit TempeDiablosCharities.org.