Staff awards cap school year at Lake City Public Schools

The last day of school for students at Lake City Public Schools was Thursday, June 4, but teachers and other school staff were back the following day for lunch in the cafeteria followed by awards presented in the auditorium.

Outside recognition

Band director Eric Stashek was named to the “Yamaha 40 Under 40 Class of 2026.”

Kindergarten teacher Marie Kruse received several awards, including: “Excellence About Teaching In Agriculture Award - National Agriculture in the Classroom,” and “Minnesota Rural Education Association Teacher of Excellence 2026 Outstanding Teacher Award - Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom.”

Kalyn Merten, teacher of the new MediaMakers class, received the “DakShowcase Award” for “Classroom Leadership and Impact.”

Retirees

Val Powers is retiring after five years.

Denise Hawthorne is retiring after 17 years.

Val Loppnow is retiring after 17 years.

Kris Petersen is retiring after 20 years.

Stewart Talbert is retiring after 35 years.

Learning milestones

Agriculture teacher Haely Leiding earned a master’s degree.

Special Education teacher Siri Vollan earned an education specialist degree.

Years of Service

Each year the district recognizes employees who have reached a five-year increment in their employment with the district.

Five Years: Marlene Beck, Whitney Befort-Paul, Stephanie Little, Haley Thomas, Alex McDonald, Logan Thomas, Chelsea Kerwin, and Val Powers.

10 Years: Kari Weinrich, Jackie Betcher, Laura Green, and Dr. Becky Houghton.

15 Years: Tricia Oeltjen and Emily Traynor.

20 Years : Kara Majchrzak and Kris Petersen.

25 Years: Dena Huettl.

30 Years: Joe Garvin and Cindy McGrath.

35 Years: Stewart Talbert.

813 Pride Awards

813 Pride Award winners are nominated by their colleagues. There’s one winner from Bluff View Elementary School, one from Lincoln High School, and one from the district as a whole.

This year’s Bluff View recipient was Abbey Stripling.

Jennifer Fort for was the Lincoln High School recipient.

Denise Hawthorne received the district-wide award.