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PASCO -- John Umbarger started the Crystal Apple Awards more than a decade ago to honor teachers for their hard work, not to get honored himself.
But that's exactly what happened Thursday, when the longtime Tri-Cities education advocate was one of two recipients of the Special Achievement Award during the Crystal Apple ceremony at Columbia Basin College in Pasco.
The other recipient was Jean Lane, superintendent of the Richland School District.
"I'm supposed to give the awards," Umbarger said after the ceremony. "(But receiving one) is a great honor."
The Special Achievement Award is given each year to a person -- not necessarily an educator -- who makes a significant contribution to education in the Mid-Columbia. It's always a surprise to the recipient, and this year was no exception.
Lane, who's retiring this summer as Richland's superintendent, said she was shocked to hear her name announced. Umbarger had already gotten his award, and usually there's only one recipient. Plus, she was serving as the event's emcee and handing out another award wasn't in the script.
But it was a touching surprise, Lane said.
"Recognition from your peers, from teachers -- there isn't anything better," she said. "It means your career really meant something to somebody."
The Crystal Apple awards started in 1999 as a way to reward teachers for excellence. This year, 11 Mid-Columbia educators were honored.
They were selected from a pool of nominees submitted by colleagues and community members, and received crystal apples, $1,000 and gift certificates to area businesses.
Umbarger said he started the awards program because teachers give a lot of themselves to help their students succeed, and they don't always get the recognition they deserve.
"Every one of us is here because of a couple of great teachers, mentors, along the way," he said.
This year's Crystal Apple winners were:
-- Michael Parker, band and choir teacher, Park Middle School, Kennewick.
-- Chriselda "Chrissy" Beraza, counselor, Pasco High School.
-- Jackie Ives and Denise Rosenblum, "We the People" teachers, River's Edge High School, Richland.
-- Carin Waters, math teacher, Columbia High School, Burbank.
-- Lorianne Donovan-Hermann, third-grade teacher, Finley Elementary School.
-- Christy Holand, family and consumer science teacher, Southridge High School, Kennewick.
-- Ken Jones, government teacher and senior class adviser, Kiona-Benton City High School.
-- Paul Bagwell, fifth-grade teacher, Mesa Elementary School, North Franklin.
-- Diann Le Johnson, sixth-grade math and science teacher, Ellen Ochoa Middle School, Pasco.
-- Steve Hill, P.E. teacher, Jason Lee Elementary School, Richland.
-- Sara Schilling: 582-1402; sschilling@tricityherald.com
