The Carson City School District took time at the School Board meeting Tuesday night to recognize 22 individuals with the “Distinguished Student Award.” Additionally, 34 school district employees, who have worked a collective 735 years in Carson City, were honored for their dedication to education.
The student winners were selected by administrators and recognized from their respective schools as having specific qualities, skills and characteristics that distinguished them. The word ‘distinguished’ implies any subtle or small differences seen as good or honorable that sets one person apart from others. Winners of this award may be identified as good scholars, helpful, on-time, nice, obeying the rules and protecting others, among others.
“Today we celebrate two groups who reflect the very best of our school community: 1) students whose dedication, leadership and achievements have distinguished them among their peers and 2) employees whose years of service have left a lasting impact on generations of learners,” said Andrew Feuling, superintendent for the Carson City School District. “Our distinguished students represent the promise of the future, while our retiring employees embody the commitment and care that help make that future possible. We congratulate our honorees and extend our deepest appreciation for the ways they have strengthened our schools and inspired others.”
Listed below by grade level and school site are the first and last names of each distinguished student.
- Mila Camper, fifth grade, Bordewich Bray Elementary School
- Vincent Alotta, fifth grade, Bordewich Bray Elementary School
- Emma Aguilar, fifth grade, Empire Elementary School
- Julian Plascenia, fifth grade, Empire Elementary School
- Angelina Ruiz, fifth grade, Fremont Elementary School
- Hudson Roser, fifth grade, Fremont Elementary School
- Lauralee King, fifth grade, Fritsch Elementary School
- Jackson Polisso, fifth grade, Fritsch Elementary School
- Luz Angel Funez, fifth grade, Mark Twain Elementary School
- Antonio Moreno Castro, fifth grade, Mark Twain Elementary School
- Brooke Gwerder, fifth grade, Seeliger Elementary School
- Matteo Rios, fifth grade, Seeliger Elementary School
- Indigo MacDougall, fifth grade, Carson Montessori
- Angelo DeLeon, fifth grade, Carson Montessori
- Queren Andrade, eighth grade, Carson Middle School
- Yamir Lugo, eighth grade, Carson Middle School
- Riley Bass, eighth grade, Eagle Valley Middle School
- Zander Montes, eighth grade, Eagle Valley Middle School
- Ashley Avila Galarza, 12th grade, Carson High School
- Kaiden Kuhlman, 12th grade, Carson High School
- Vanessa Tran, 12th grade, Pioneer Academy
- Josiah Zacarius, 12th grade, Pioneer Academy
Each employee recognized below has worked within the school district for 10 or more years. Listed below by their first name, followed by last name (alphabetized by school site), last position or title held and duration of employment with the district.
Carson High School:
- Catherine Atchian, admin assistant II, 2006 – 2026
- Brian Branch, math teacher, 2003 – 2026
- Jose Gomez, ESL paraprofessional, 2003 – 2026
- Christy McOmber, special education teacher, 2005 – 2026
- James Sonnemaker, choir teacher, 2007 – 2026
- Scott Vickrey, science teacher, 1999 – 2026
Carson Middle School:
- Mark Bacon, ESL teacher, 2008 – 2026
- Beverly Heath, cafeteria manager, 2000 – 2026
- Robert Hostler, technology teacher, 1997 – 2026
- Amy Robinson, principal, 1996 – 2026
- Jon (Shelby) Tuttle, sixth-grade science teacher, 2006 – 2026
Eagle Valley Middle School:
- Helen Billhimer, math teacher, 2006 – 2026
- Pamela Molleson, special education paraprofessional, 2013 – 2026
- Maria Schofield, counselor, 1995 – 2026
Bordewich Bray Elementary School:
- Rhonda Allison, first-grade teacher, 2001 – 2025
- Kristine Estrada, kindergarten paraprofessional, 2006 – 2026
- Nicole Medeiros, teacher on special assignment (TOSA) interventionist, 2001 – 2026
- Ann Ulrich, paraprofessional I, 2006 – 2026
Empire Elementary School:
- Lisa Howard, first-grade teacher, 2004 – 2026
- Gail Omohundro, TOSA interventionist, 2012 – 2026
Fremont Elementary School:
- Dr. Jennifer Ward, principal, 1996 – 2026
Fritsch Elementary School:
- James Phillips, cook/baker, 2013 – 2026
- Irene Waltz, technology teacher, 1998 – 2026
- Kristyanne Wertz, ESL teacher, 2003 – 2026
Mark Twain Elementary School:
- Sidnee Abbott, paraprofessional II, 2013 – 2026
- Kim Collier, reading tutor paraprofessional, 2005 – 2026
Seeliger Elementary School:
- Kimberly Cohen, kindergarten paraprofessional, 2012 – 2026
- Bonnie Medeiros, interventionist, 2002 – 2026
Student Support Services:
- Carolyn Aikins, paraprofessional IV, 2005 – 2025
Transportation Department:
- Andrea Baer, bus driver, 2015 – 2026
- Cheri Fletcher, transportation supervisor, 1998 – 2026
Grounds – Operations:
- Paul Bigler, grounds supervisor, 1995 – 2025
Prison Education System:
- Maria Lion, administrative assistant III, 2008 – 2026
District Office:
- Dan Sadler, chief human resources officer, 2009 – 2026
