Presented Awards to 120 Educators in the 16th District
BRADENTON, Fla. — Congressman Vern Buchanan announced the recipients of his Congressional Educations Awards. Buchanan established the Congressional Education Awards eleven years ago to give special recognition to administrators, educators and support staff in Florida’s 16th Congressional District for exceptional achievement.
“School employees go above and beyond every day to shape the future of our community,” said Buchanan. “They’re the mentors, the role models and the quiet champions behind every student’s success. Their dedication deserves our deepest appreciation, which is why I’m honored to recognize these educators and staff for their amazing work.”
The following recipients were nominated and selected to receive Florida’s 16th District's 2025 Congressional Education Award for their accomplishments:
Leadership Award:
- Stewart Elementary School: Joseph Hougland
Hurricane Shelter Award:
- Buffalo Creek Middle School: Miriam Jordan, Scott Samsoe and Bradley Scarbrough
- Collins PK-8 School: Kimberly Coulson, George Coulson and Rebecca Sargable
- Daugherty Elementary School: Melissa McCullough, Flor Pardo and Tiffany Staton
- Durant High School: Gary Graham, Charles Parsons and Brenda Rau
- Gene Witt Elementary School: Connie Dixon, Lenny Draper and Carmen Palacios
- Gullett Elementary School: Leslie Bothke, Mike Brabrandt and Todd Richardson
- Harvey Elementary School: Joanne Gushue and Hayley Rio
- Lee Middle School: Kristen Bowden, Kimone Cooper and Anissa McDuffy
- Freedom Elementary School: Juliette Gjini, Patti Heffner, Michelle Liemann, Carol Pope and Sara Walker
- McNeal Elementary School: Kevin Harrington, Tracey Shank and Sheila Waid
- Miller Elementary School: Annie Mousseau, Jennifer Pettas, Cristal Garcia and Debra Riley
- Mills Elementary School: Deanna Sabatino, German Pena-Garcia and James Mennes
- Mona Jain Middle School: Kate Barlaug, Ana Miranda and Ginger Thomas
- Mulrennan Middle School: Tamara Brooks, Mohammad Hammad and Premdai Hansraj
- Myakka City Elementary School: Michelle Bailey, Lisa McLeod and Carol Ricks
- Nolan Middle School: Carl Auckerman, Mary Cardarelle-Hermans and Robert Greer
- Prine Elementary School: Laura Sanchez, Greg Sander and Tania Vidal
- Reddick Elementary School: Olga Castillo, Maricely Mendez and Aliya Norman
- Shields Middle School: Deanna Fisher, Lillian Parsons and Angelia Thompson
- Sugg Middle School: Roxie Blackwelder and Richard Greene
- Sumner High School: Joshua Fuentes, Crystal Pagan and Christine Wasylkiw
- Williams Elementary School: Andrea Keezer, Laura Roark and Sylvia Sorto
- Willis Elementary School: Aaron Depaola, Antonio Da Silva and Kathy Price
Relief After the Storm Award:
- Hillsborough Education Foundation
- Manatee Education Foundation
Support Staff Award:
- Braden River Middle School: Emanuel Harris, Kelly Taillefer and Steven Vance
- Dorothy C. York Innovation Academy: Brooke Whalen
- Gene Witt Elementary School: Angela Nowakowski
- Gibsonton Elementary School: Sherriann Johnson
- McNeal Elementary School: Lora Sevarino
- Myakka City Elementary School: Nicole Yancey
- Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary School: Fay Pollack Servoss
- Southeast High School: Suzanne Theiss
- State College of Florida Collegiate School: Dilcia Navarro
- Williams Elementary School: Eric Cooke
- Willis Elementary School: Kimberly Thomas
Teacher Award:
- Anna Maria Elementary School: Laura Redeker
- Braden River Middle School: Katharine Kimbrell, Jessica Mynatt and Tasheta Riley
- Gene Witt Elementary School: Kim Wilder
- Haile Middle School: Joseph Gibson
- Harvey Elementary School: Susan Nova
- Lakewood Ranch High School: Felicia Chasey, McKenzie Gorskey, Jennifer Grant and John Wilkerson
- Manatee Technical College: Linda Chamberlain
- McNeal Elementary School: Stacy Freeman, Julie Read, Sarah Tateosian and Stephanie Tretolo
- Newsome High School: Natalie Hutchings, Christiana Miller, Montine Vona-Pergola and Kathleen Yates
- Sea Breeze Elementary School: Kathleen Bayliss
- Sumner High School: Leslie Windheuser
- St. Stephen’s Episcopal School: Andrew Angelo and Geoff Revard
- State College of Florida Collegiate School: Emily Vargas
- Willis Elementary School: Hannah Hunter and Noelle Kourakos
Administrator Award:
- Able Elementary School: Samantha Webb
- Ballard Elementary School: Rudy Keezer
- Bloomingdale High School: Marcos Rodriguez
- Braden River Middle School: Kimberlain Zenon
- McNeal Elementary School: Sheila Waid
- Lakewood Ranch High School: Jeannie Galindo
- Riverview High School: Jennifer Canady
- Southeast High School: Craig Page
- Tillman Elementary School: Marla Massi-Blackmore
The recipients have also been recognized by the Congressman in the Congressional Record for their achievements.
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