Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education members Amanda Stevens and Ali Lasell helped welcome over 600 district employees to the Jeffco Fairgrounds at the western-themed 2016 Values Awards.
By Jack Maher, Multimedia Specialist, and Devan Crean, Marketing & Communications Specialist, Jeffco Public Schools
Over 600 Jeffco Public Schools employees were honored at a western-themed event designed just for them at the Jeffco Fairgrounds: the 2016 Jeffco Values Awards. Employees were recognized for Exemplary Performance, Teamwork, Integrity, or Valuing People.
Cabinet and Board of Education members greeted the honorees, and presented them with their certificates and a special little gift. Superintendent Dan McMinimee served as emcee for the night, who along with Board of Education member Ali Lasell, thanked all the honorees for their hard work and dedication not only to Jeffco Public Schools, but its values.
Honorees were treated to a performance from Lasley Elementary second-grader Jesse Quintana, who received a standing ovation after wowing the crowd with his fiddle playing. The event’s keynote speakers were Lakewood High School students Luke Giusto and Sophia Caronna-Morseman, who talked about how the honorees exemplified the district’s values and how that positively impacts students in Jeffco every day.
The hall was decorated all around in the western theme and highlighted the four values, as well. “Words to describe you” were scrawled across boards, which were pulled from the award submissions where coworkers and supervisors described why an employee was deserving of the award. Each value also was written in rope on a board, and attendees were encouraged to sign their names under the specific value for which they were awarded. Attendees then had the opportunity to take a formal photo with their group, or silly photos, complete with hats, wigs, and props, in two photo booths.
Lasell summed up the night by saying what an honor it was to share the night with everyone being recognized.
“The Jeffco School Board knows our staff members are the most valuable asset to our public school system. You are what makes this district great for our students,” she said.
Watch the JPS-TV version of this story here.