SKWay Awards April 2025

April 2025 SKWay Awards -  Thank you for living the SKWay

Lora-Jean Piper

Lora-Jean exemplifies “Love People” by coming to Marcus Whitman and helping half of our 7th graders on a monthly basis. She is willing to create and present a lesson plan relevant to our curriculum and the needs of our 7th grade students. These are not her students, but she understands the importance of being a positive role model to all students in the SKSD.

LOVE PEOPLE

Award Winner: Lora-Jean Piper, Explorer Academy

Nominated by: Brenda Walls and Barbara Hulbert

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Kayla Spencer

Kayla Spencer is passionate about helping students reach their full potential. She holds them accountable while offering encouragement and support. With kindness, patience, and creativity, she advocates for their needs, modifies tasks, and fosters connections with peers. Thanks to her dedication, Kayla’s students have made communication gains and are able to participate in general education activities, feeling a true sense of belonging.

LOVE PEOPLE

Award Winner: Kayla Spencer, John Sedgwick Middle School

Nominated by:: Charlene Brown-Burris

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Matthew Apone

Matt has taken his role this year to embrace every opportunity to make himself available to any student, staff or family at our school. He is constantly helping. We wouldn’t be the same without his support. Not only does he strive to connect with all of our students, he helps create art for our building, supports our lunchroom, volunteers for after school activities and bus duty and offers his artistic skills to our whole building. He truly goes above and beyond.

KNOW YOUR PURPOSE

Award Winner: Matthew Apone, South Colby Elementary

Nominated by:: Nicole Watkins

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Jessica Cope

Jessica is a PTSO member and parent with amazing ideas and willingness to help! She has brought new energy to our school and has helped keep alive existing events. She has spent hours helping with buddy and classroom projects, volunteering for teachers, helping our book fair stay open and she does it with the most optimistic and upbeat attitude. She is a wealth of knowledge and has done a great job sharing it with others.

THINK BIG

Award Winner: Jessica Cope, South Colby Elementary PTSO

Nominated by:: Nicole Watkins

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Grifinn Hofmeister

Grifinn is a dedicated leader who improves every day. He takes action to meet playground expectations, showing responsibility, respect, and self-awareness. His hard work earned him the chance to mentor fourth-grade boys, a role he embraced with maturity and kindness. He leads by example, making thoughtful choices and uplifting others. His growth mindset and perseverance make him a role model. Grifinn’s commitment to being better daily proves he is more than deserving of this award.

GET BETTER EVERYDAY

Award Winner: Grifinn Hofmeister, Student at Orchard Heights Elementary

Nominated by:: Chelsea DelGado

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Jessica Barnum

Jessica taught my daughter in AVID this year and continues to show up for her not only in student government but outside of the classroom, too. This week, Jessica brought my daughter a special diet cookbook to keep after my daughter told her of her love for cooking while also having special dietary needs. She also regularly makes time for my daughter and absolutely embodies living the SKWay. Thank you, Ms. Barnum!

LOVE PEOPLE

Award Winner: Jessica Barnum, Marcus Whitman Middle School

Nominated by:: Chelsea DelGado

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Renee Murphy

The staff at MWMS would like to express our sincere gratitude for the care and deep concern Renee has consistently shown her staff throughout the past year, especially during a challenging period for our school. Her ability to maintain both professional standards and genuine care with such grace has been invaluable to the staff. We wanted her to know how much we appreciate her and that we are thankful to have her on our team.

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Award Winner: Renee Murphy, Marcus Whitman Middle School

Nominated by:: Marcus Whitman Middle School Staff

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