Seniors Honor Teachers at Impact Awards

Students, teachers and administrators gathered at the for a night of smiles, tears and kindness for the Sixth Annual . A unique program, the impact awards allow senior students to nominate teachers who made an impact in their lives.

The final count for the nominees this year was 124 - the most Spring-Ford has ever seen.

"So often, as teachers, we go through our careers and never get an opportunity to hear what kind of impact we had on kids," said Superintendent David Goodin. "This is a great opportunity for that to happen. It's a great program."

The outstanding part of the whole event, Goodin continued, was the fact that it wasn't just high school teachers being honored.

"We've got a good group of teachers and people who have worked in the school system in other roles," he said. "It's good to see the diversity. It's important that kids are recognizing that a fourth grade teacher may be the most significant person in their life, and that teacher would never know that, because really you remember your high school teachers as you're exiting. So this is a great opportunity for that to happen."

Patch's Top Ten Kind Words (no particular order)

1. Colleen Ford - for Nancy Ferrer - Mrs. Ferrer has impacted my life in many ways. She was the first teacher who made me feel comfortable being myself. She really cares for her students. Before the fourth grade talent show, I ripped my pants on the playground , and she sewed them for me during class. Mrs. Ferrer has been my favorite teacher since.

2. Reem Hamoda - for George Desko - You taught me that the net force of an object is equal to the product of its mass and acceleration. Most importantly, you taught me that life is going to be much harder than Honors Physics, and that I have the strength and ability to persevere through it. For these lessons and more, I thank you kindly for being such an outstanding teacher and mentor.

3. Jessica Lawton - for Melissa Halphen - School used to be difficult for me. Homework was a nightmare and it seemed to take forever. She helped my mom get me tested, and it turned out I have a learning disability. I have been in learning support ever since, and I have learned ways to work with it. if it weren't for Mrs. Halphen, I don't know how long it would have taken to figure out what was wrong and get the help I needed.

4. Nana Nimako - for Jill Caceres - It was hard for me when my family moved to Spring-Ford in April of 2007. Senora Caceres encouraged me to reach out. She took it upon herself to move me from my empty lunch table to one filled with girls from Spanish class. I have kept those first friends and gained more, and I have Senora Caceres to thank for knowing what was best for me even if I didn't know it myself.

5. - for Danielle Stauffer - Ms. Stauffer has ben my track coach and my life coach as well. She has been a major part of how my future has played out and will continue to flourish. She is one of the most caring individuals I know, devoting time to each member of the team. Her life lessons of equality and sportsmanship will influence me for many years to come.

6. Emily Falcone - for Yvonne O'Dea - Mrs. O'Dea has seen me grow and helped me learn as a student, singer, and friend. It is because of her help and teaching that I am going into music. I can only hope that if I were to become a teacher, I could be one like her, with principles, strength, knowledge, and love. She is so full of passion and able to express that in her work, showing us the power music can have.

7. - for Jason Kerkusz - Coach Kerkusz has been a positive influence on my life. I learned a lot about football and about the challenges I could overcome if I put my mind to it. Coach also influenced me to continue wrestling at the high school level. I am grateful for his encouragement as I had some success and learned a lot from wrestling. He pushed me to work harder and to never be satisfied. I will use the lessons Coach Kerkusz taught me for the rest of my life.

8. Victoria Alegado - for John Eckstine - Mr. Eckstine always told me to try my hardest and never give up. I could talk to him and he inspired me to be the best I can be! He never doubted me and always had faith in me. He taught me to BELIEVE IN ME AND NOT LET OTHERS BRING ME DOWN!

9. Corrine Smith - for Kristin Beideman - You have made such a huge impact on my life, and I don't think I've really told you how grateful I am for everything you have done for me. You have seen me at my worst and also at my best. I can't thank you enough for believing in me each step of the way. You are truly an amazing woman and you deserve way more than these words for all the support and kindness you have given to me.

10. Julianna Nguyen - for Dianne Ricci - Mrs. Ricci's ability to make education enjoyable has given me the motivation to succeed. She's taught me to enjoy life in every aspect and to take advantage of each day, not knowing if there is a tomorrow. Mrs. Ricci has truly made me look forward to my future.

Full List of Honorees

• Bradley Amersbach
• Erik Ammon
• Kelly Artzerounian
• Daniel Badway
• Rebecca Barnett
• Kevin Bean
• Kristin Beideman
• Danielle Blackledge
• Agnes Bolyn
• Meredith Bozzuto
• Arminty Brewer
• Andrew Bright
• Chad Brubaker
• Jill Caceres
• Christopher Cameron
• Margaret Castellano
• Jenna Conroy
• Linda Crane
• Willard Cromley
• William Culp
• Andrea Curry
• Kevin Czapor
• Joseph D'Orazio
• Nicole Davenport
• Joanne DeMeno
• Debra DeMitis
• George Desko
• Lea DiEgidio
• Brittany Dunbar
• John Eckstine, Jr.
• Jennifer Farischon
• Denise Fazio
• Nancy Ferrer
• Michele Fonte
• Adrian Frain
• Kelly German
• Jennifer Gillespie
• Shelley Glossner
• Mallory Greene
• Rachelle Hafer
• Melissa Halphen
• Susan Hammond
• Keith Heffner
• Michael Heimbach
• Alison Hughes
• J. Timothy Hughes
• Michele Humer
• Ingrid Huss
• Judy John
• Denise Johnston
• Corey Jones
• Sarah Kalish
• Desiree Keppler
• Jason Kerkusz
• Julie Korchowsky
• Rachel Lawrence
• Patricia Lebow
• Nicholas Lemuell
• Daniel Leppold
• Ron Logan
• Heather Logic
• Parker Loomis
• Paula Love
• Ellen Luchette
• Jeffrey Mast
• Nancy McDonough
• Emily McGranahan
• Glenn McLaughlin
• James Mercer, Jr.
• Nancy Meyer
• James Mich, Jr.
• Nancy Michewicz
• Susan Miscavage
• Barbara Monahan
• Kristy Moore
• Jennie Moore
• Harold Moser
• Cheryl Murgia
• Brad Murlless
• Joy Needles
• Matthew Nice
• Yvonne O'Dea
• Aimee Oblak
• Scott Orelli
• Sandy Paladino
• Mary Palladino
• Kory Parsia
• Darryl Perecko
• Susan Prophet
• Lisa Pupo
• Allison Ramil
• Todd Reagan
• Christi Redeyoff
• Beverly Reimund
• Gary Rhodenbaugh, Jr.
• Dianne Ricci
• Kenneth Ridgeway
• Jaclyn Ritter
• Edward Ritti, III
• Yvonne Rivera
• Gerard Rogers
• Gina Romanelli
• Kristin Rouyer
• Elaine Ruppert
• John Salamone
• Jamie Scheck
• Dena Schlichter
• Timothy Seislove
• Bradley Seltzer
• Heather Shaw
• Janell Shelly
• Danielle Stauffer
• Zach Stewart
• Chad Strickler
• Hollie Strohl
• Jean Taddeo
• Jose Thomas
• Gladys Thonus
• Maren Trout
• Katie Uhas
• Linda Valloor
• Christine Wike
• Margaret A. Wright