7 receive 2011 Golden Apple Awards

Staff report

youngstown

The Office of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Youngstown announced the 2011 winners of the Golden Apple Award.

The 2011 award recipients are: Patricia Blanchon, St. Joseph the Provider Elementary School, Campbell; Melinda Dragomier, St. Paul Elementary School, North Canton; Kathleen Gernert, Regina Coeli/St. Joseph Elementary School, Alliance; Margaret Jenkins, St. Rose Elementary School, Girard; Sister Jane Marie Kudlacz, Cardinal Mooney High School, Youngstown; Russell Nalepa, Ursuline High School, Youngstown; and Pamela Shallo-Hanratty, St. Michael Elementary School, Canton.

Through the generosity of the Donahue Family Foundation of Pittsburgh, the Golden Apple Award honors outstanding individuals who teach or are administrators in Catholic schools.

The diocese recognizes and appreciates the unique charge these teachers and administrators have to the development of each student.

Their selection, from a field of many outstanding educators in the Catholic schools, is a recognition of the commitment and witness of all the Catholic school teachers and administrators throughout the diocese.

The award consists of an unrestricted cash award of $5,000, a certificate, a Golden Apple paperweight and a Golden Apple lapel pin, presented to the winners at a dinner May 19 at the Youngstown Country Club.

Stan Boney of WYTV will be the master of ceremonies for the event.

A selection process at the school and diocesan level was used to determine the award recipients.

In addition to being a full-time teacher or administrator who has been in the school where they are currently teaching or administrating for at least three full years, these teachers and administrators must give evidence of the following: professional development, commitment to students and school, leadership qualities, service to church and community, teaching skills and also be role models as Catholic educators.