Outstanding Teachers honored at Crystal Apple Awards

On the evening of Sunday, May 6th, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted the 14th annual Crystal Apple Awards. More than 300 LDS high school students nominated teachers who had especially touched their lives and impacted their education in a positive way. Teachers from Chaparral, Great Oak, and Temecula Valley High Schools, 127 in total, were honored for their exceptional service. Abby Gharring, Great Oak High School student body president, conducted the ceremony.

Every teacher nominated was presented by their principal using quotes written by the students. The top three teachers selected from each school, two finalists and the Crystal Apple Award recipient, were introduced by one of the students who nominated them.

Tim Ritter, Superintendent of the Temecula Valley Unified School District, commented, “To me, this is the most important event. It not only validates the great work the teachers have done, but it is even more significant because it is the students who are recognizing and validating their teachers. They are letting the teachers know that they appreciate them and want to honor them for the great work they do and there is no greater honor than that for a teacher.”

County, city and school officials attending the event included Riverside County Supervisor, Chuck Washington; Superintendent of the Temecula Valley Unified School District, Tim Ritter; Temecula Valley Educators Association President, Jeff Kingsberg; School Board Member, Julie Farnbach; Chaparral High School Principal, Nicole Dayus; Great Oak High School Principal, Aimee Ricken; and Temecula Valley High School Principal, Allen Williams.

Speaking of the purpose and value of the Crystal Apple Award, Public Affairs Director for the Temecula Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Suzette Jacobsen, expressed to the teachers, “I hope you know how much we appreciate you and that you feel of our love during this very well-deserved night of recognition.” Jacobsen then challenged the students “who decide to go into the meaningful occupation of education to be the teacher that those here tonight have been for you.”

In remarks given prior to the presentation of the awards, Lacy Paulson, a senior at Chaparral High School, paid special tribute to her biology teacher whose “influence inspired me to develop a passion of my own and now, because of her, I plan to study genetics and hematology in college so that I can do cancer research.” Annie Hilton, a senior at Temecula Valley High School, shared, “I was so afraid of failure but a wonderful teacher explained to me that success isn’t a high grade or a successful event; but rather, success is becoming better than you were when you first started.”

The two finalists for the Crystal Apple Award from Chaparral High School were Rachel McGill and Sonja Grover. The recipient of the Crystal Apple Award was Becki Green, who was nominated and introduced by senior Leslie Zapot. “Mrs. Green keeps us aware of current events and she helps us to be, as she says, ‘smarter than most adults.’ A great friend and a motherly figure, she lets anyone come to her with problems and she has a way to comfort them. I’m so grateful to have her as my teacher.”

Following her student’s remarks, Becki Green shared, “I have taught for eighteen years in this district and it has been a blessing of a career. We teachers are not afraid of the future because we see so much positive change in our classrooms. Being told that you are appreciated is one of the most uplifting things a person can hear and when we teachers feel appreciated, our lives are gold”.

A special Crystal Apple Award was also presented to Cindy Salazar, Special Education teacher at Chaparral High School. She was introduced by two of her students. “Mrs. Salazar helps each student learn as much as we can by working hard on our individual goals,” shared Julianna Phippen. “And she helps us make friends who learn from us and we learn from them! Mrs. Salazar is the best teacher ever and we love her very much!” Joey Hoke also expressed his thanks to Mrs. Salazar. “I love Mrs. Salazar because she believes I can do anything I want to do. She helps me to reach my goals. She helps me to be my best because she knows I can work hard.”

As Cindy Salazar spoke, she explained that her students take about 10 to 15 steps for every single step another student takes. “They work hard and they are the drop in my bucket every day.” She thanked her students’ families for trusting her with their children. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to watch them grow and to help them achieve their dreams. In closing, she shared a quote that hangs in her classroom, “We may all be different fish, but at our school, we swim together.”

Pictured L-R from Chaparral High School: Sonja Grover, Crystal Apple Award finalist; Becki Green, Crystal Apple Award recipient; Nicole Dayus, Principal; Cindy Salazar, Crystal Apple Award recipient; Rachel McGill, Crystal Apple Award finalist.

The two finalists for the Crystal Apple Award from Temecula Valley High School were Sarah McGaugh and Kim Preite. The recipient of the Crystal Apple Award was Paul McGowen, who was nominated and introduced by senior Olivia Barclay. “Mr. McGowen is the finest and funniest teacher I’ve probably ever had. He makes me feel so comfortable in his class as he is understanding of everyone’s situation. He is an all around great teacher and truly deserves this award.”

Mr. Paul McGowen thanked Olivia for nominating him. “It’s not about me, though,” he said. “It’s about we.” He went on to express his gratitude for all whom he works with and shared that he always has the best students in his class. “I want to make sure that I always do my part. I am so proud to be a bear. I will always be a bear and when I’m no longer teaching at TVHS, I’ll be a bear somewhere else.”

Pictured L-R from Temecula Valley High School: Sarah McGaugh, Crystal Apple Award finalist; Allen Williams, Principal; Paul McGowen, Crystal Apple Award recipient; Kim Preite, Crystal Apple Award finalist.

The two finalists for the Crystal Apple Award from Great Oak High School were Stacey Moore and Alicia Brennan. The recipient of the Crystal Apple Award was Michael White, who was nominated and introduced by senior Calvin Beltran. “Mr. White has provided me with the best mathematical experience of my eleven years of schooling, which is saying a lot because math happens to be my favorite subject. He is energetic and makes jokes with and about the class. It is not an uncommon sight to see him sitting with a student one-on-one making sure he or she understands the material. He is also very involved on campus. I have never had a teacher drive a half hour to cheer a cross country meet. As he retires this year, a part of Great Oak leaves with him”.

“The highest award, the absolute highest award for a teacher is being recognized by our students.” said Michael White. “I want to thank all my students for making this the best 38 years. I want to thank my wife for always encouraging me, my daughter for being in my class and for giving me honest feedback. I want to thank the LDS church for putting on this event. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much!”

Pictured L-R from Great Oak High School: Stacey Moore, Crystal Apple Award finalist; Aimee Ricken, Principal; Michael White, Crystal Apple Award recipient; Alicia Brennan, Crystal Apple Award finalist.

Abby Gharring closed the evening by saying, “We would like to congratulate all the teachers who are in attendance tonight. We are grateful to be able to honor you for your incredible influence in our lives.”

As Chuck Washington, Riverside County Supervisor, was leaving the event, he commented, “My wife and I come every year. We love the contribution the Crystal Apple Awards Ceremony makes to the family and education. If we can keep our focus on those things that matter most, we will continue to strengthen our community, our country and the world.”