CAMANO: School Board awards 4 Shining Stars and names Employees of the Year
The Stanwood-Camano School District posted this in the News section of their website on Wed., May 21, 2025.
The Stanwood-Camano School Board awarded four students a Shining Star honor and named the Employees of the Year during the regular board meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
- Stanwood Elementary’s Logan Strand was presented with the Shining Star award from principal Staci Lauinger.
- Elger Bay Elementary’s Leah Hannum was presented with the award by principal Liz Sanchez.
- Utsalady Elementary’s Teddy Amadon was presented with the Shining Star award from principal Dr. Michael Hanna.
- Twin City Elementary’s Amara Lindblad was presented with the award by principal Jennifer Allen.
Congratulations Logan, Leah, Teddy, and Amara!
The board also awarded the Classified Employee of the Year and Certificated Employee of the Year awards.
- Port Susan Middle School teacher Keli Niegemann earned the Certificated Employee of the Year. She was nominated by parents who wrote about how Mrs. Niegemann’s door is always open for students like their son. “She makes him feel so important and valued and heard. I’m amazed at what it has done for him to just feel like there’s an adult “in his corner” at school,” the nomination read. “I wish every kid was lucky enough to have a Mrs. Niegemann on their side!”
- Carrie Counsellor, from our Technology Department, was honored as the Classified Employee of the Year. She was nominated by fellow staff members for her pivotal contributions to implementing our new website, newsletters, and messaging communication tools. “Carrie’s ability to quickly and deftly adapt to the numerous challenges and roadblocks that inevitably arise during such a significant technology transition has been nothing short of impressive,” according to the nomination.
The Board also recognized its two student representatives for their contributions throughout the past year. Luke Hoffman from Lincoln Hill High School and Elizabeth Burton from Stanwood High School teamed up to lead the School Board meeting on Tuesday.
The Board then heard a Stanwood Elementary School Report from principal Staci Lauinger and an Utsalady Elementary School Report from principal Dr. Michael Hanna.
The board also received three donations:
- $200 from Arlington Garden Club in support of Stanwood High School FFA.
- $113.06 in proceeds from Ohiopyle Prints, Incorporated in support of Stanwood High School.
- A donation from Rick Flores of a Silver King Tempo 1306 Trombone and music books, valued at $803, for the Stanwood High School Band department.
One citizen spoke during the public comment period.
For more information about the meeting, see the agenda or watch a video recording of the meeting, which is available to view on the meeting minutes.
The board’s next regular business meeting is at 1 p.m. on June 3. All meetings are in the boardroom at the Stanwood-Camano School District Administration & Resource Center, 26920 Pioneer Highway, in Stanwood. You can sign up for public comment for the regular board meetings HERE.
For more about the School Board, click HERE.
On the Ballot in November 2025
| STANWOOD-CAMANO SCHOOL DISTRICT NO 401 |
|---|
| Director, District 1 John W. Russell Hans Hendricksen Incumbent Al Schreiber did not file to retain his seat |
| Director, Position 2 Charlotte Murry Write-in: Ram Prasad |
