The Okaloosa County School District recently celebrated the Educational Support Professionals of the Year (ESPY) for each school and department at the Annual ESPY Breakfast. Martha Swords, an ESE Paraprofessional at Southside Primary School, was named the Educational Support Professional of the Year for the District. Phyllis Warren, Bob Sikes Elementary School, and Cindy Lemasters, Fort Walton Beach High School, were recognized as runner-ups.

Congratulations to Ms. Swords and all the school employees named Educational Support Personnel of the Year for their school.

"The Educational Support Personnel in the Okaloosa County School District are the backbone of the district,” said Superintendent, Marcus Chambers. “They are bus drivers, custodians, translators, secretaries, paraprofessionals, and so many other key positions that we could not be successful without."

Educational Support Professionals of the Year Winner and Finalists

Martha Swords, Southside Primary School

Educational Support Professionals of the Year Runner-Ups

Cindy A. Lemasters, Fort Walton Beach High School

Phyllis D. Warren, Bob Sikes Elementary School

School and Department Employees of the Year

• Jeanne Frazee, Antioch Elementary School

• Candice Embry, Baker School

• Tommy Ousley, Bay Area Office

• Melissa Berry, Bluewater Elementary School

• Jenny Ivette Camancho-Ortiz, Bruner Middle School

• James W. Puckett, Carver Hill Complex

• Don Brown, Choctawhatchee High School

• Oscar Carcamomurillo, Crestview High School

• Susie Sheets, Davidson Middle School

• Mike Richards, Destin Elementary School

• Nancy Ayala-Morera, Destin Middle School

• Kelly Edelman, Edge Elementary School

• Leigh Robinson, Edwins Elementary School

• Jessica P. Chandler, Eglin Elementary School

• Elizabeth Wise, Elliott Point Elementary School

• Bonnie Fouts, Florosa Elementary School

• James K. Wheat, Kenwood Elementary School

• Mandy S. Zessin, Laurel Hill School

• Amy Downs, Lewis School

• Diana Rivera-Martinez, Longwood Elementary School

• Jeremiah Romfo, Maintenance South

• Rip Davis, Maintenance Grounds Support

• Mary G. Wooley, Mary Esther Elementary School

• Taja Hanks, Meigs Middle School

• Rachel Money, Niceville Complex

• Jennifer Vest, Niceville High School

• Kandace Turman, Northwood Elementary School

• Steven Woods, Nutrition Center

• Angela Winkler, Okaloosa STEMM Academy

• Norma Wingo, Okaloosa Technical College

• Sherri M. Cadenhead, Plew Elementary School

• Cheryl L. Thompson, Pryor Middle School

• Sara C. Cuchens, Richbourg School

• Melissa Lynette Thomas, Riverside Elementary School

• Zoe O’Neill, Ruckel Middle School

• Nina Savedra, Shalimar Elementary School

• Deborah E. Nichols, Shoal River Middle School

• William Straham, Silver Sands School

• Patricia Douglas, Transportation Central

• Ryan Cordell, Transportation North

• Ashley Ruskowski, Transportation South

• Michelle Brace, Walker Elementary School

• Emily Denise Thompson, Wright Elementary School

The Education Support Professional of the Year Committee Members were:

• Joseph Neely, Jr, Lead Custodian, Meigs Middle School and 2021 Education Support Professional of the Year

• Juanita Payne-Galbreath, Paraprofessional, ESE, Crestview High School

• Linda Pigford, School Bus Driver, Retired

• Tonya Evanchyk, PE Paraprofessional, Elliott Point Elementary School

• Marti Gardner, School Board Member

• Starla Young, Bookkeeper, Mary Esther Elementary School

• Patrick Strong, President, Okaloosa Education Staff Professionals (OESP)>

Special thanks and appreciation to the following for their contributions to this year’s event:

• Titan Technologies

• Edible Arrangements

• Niceville Community Center

• Okaloosa Education Staff Professionals

• School District Printing Services

• Bay Area Awards

• Corner Café

Donations:

• Andrews Institute

• Bit Wizards

• Café Rico

• CCB Community Bank

• CHELCO

• Chick-fil-a, FWB

• Crane Aerospace & Electronics

• Eglin Federal Credit Union

• Emerald Prints

• ERA American Realty

• Fishbein Orthodontics

• FWB Medical Center

• Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa<

• HSU Foundation

• Hurlburt Field Child & Youth Education Services

• Inlanta Mortgage

• Teachers Federal Credit Union

• Okaloosa Gas

• Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation

• Publix Super Markets, Inc

• Ruckel Properties

• United Fidelity

• Wells Vision