3-6 Classified Rick Baher.jpg

Every year, the first full week of March is set aside to honor those education employees who keep schools running smoothly.

Classified Employee Appreciation Week recognizes the assistants, custodians, secretaries, aides, technicians and maintenance employees who work in local schools but are not teachers or administrators. In the Hermiston School District, about 175 employees fall under the classified employee umbrella, and this week, each Hermiston school honored one of those individuals.

Desert View Elementary: Sally Trujillo, instructional assistant

Trujillo has worked at Desert View for four years and is described as wonderful person to have at the school.

The thing about Sally is shes always willing to go above and beyond no matter what, Desert View principal Mike Scott said of Trujillo. She stays after school to help teachers if they need something and shes always willing to do whatever she can to make it better for teachers and kids.

Highland Hills Elementary: Cathy Michael, secretary

The teacher who nominated Cathy Michael as classified employee of the year for Highland Hills called the lead secretary the heart of the school.

She goes way above and beyond the call of duty for staff parents, and students, the nomination form read. She is usually the first person that many of us see upon arrival, and Cathy greets everyone with a smile.

Michaels positive attitude and problem-solving skills were also highlighted.

Shes instrumental in the daily operations of the school, Principal Brian Schimel said. Shes the type of person who arrives very early and stays late to get the work done. Were all appreciative of her.

Rocky Heights Elementary: Adrian Rodarte, lead secretary

After four years at Rocky Heights Elementary, Adrian Rodarte is described as someone who makes jobs easier for everyone else in the building, from doing special projects for teachers to helping employees with time sheets.

Adrian is unbelievable, Principal BJ Wilson said. The efficiency in the office and how he makes the building run so smoothly is just unbelievable. Hes just a phenomenal person, and were really proud of him.

Sunset Elementary: Deanne Alcala, library/media assistant

Almost every student at Sunset Elementary is affected by Deanne Alcala, and in the midst of declining resources, the media assistant continues to provide excellence services and a positive attitude for students.

I love the way she makes kids feel when they walk into the library and the way she makes staff feel whenever we need anything, Principal Devin Grigg said. Its always difficult to select just one person when you have so many great employees, and to be chosen from the excellent pool of individuals that were nominated shows a lot about her abilities and how shes viewed here at Sunset.

West Park Elementary: Gladys Potts, resource room assistant

Gladys Potts was recognized by her peers for her unbelievable dedication and ever-present smile. She is described as a pleasant person to work with and a joy to have at West Park Elementary.

On many occasions I have had the opportunity to work side-by-side with Gladys. She is an exemplary assistant who always demonstrates a high level of professionalism as well as a passion for teaching and educating students, interim principal Bryn Browning said. She loves interacting with others, and always does so in a cheerful, professional manner. And what she accomplishes with students is incredible. Professionally and personally, she is definitely a person to look up to.

Armand Larive Middle School: Anabel Aguilar, office assistant

Armand Larive Middle Schools classified employee of the year in Anabel Aguilar. Principal Tom Spoo paraphrased some of the statements staff members wrote about Aguilar in her nomination.

Anabel has been amazing in her new position, Spoo said. She has transformed the (problem-solving room) into what it should be. She expects respect from the students that she works with, while at the same time teaching them positive ways to deal with their choices. Anabel has spent countless hours going above and beyond what her job requires working with students on academics.

Sandstone Middle School: Candace Smith, life skills assistant

Sandstone Middle School staff described Candace Candy Smith as dependable, honest and with the patience of a saint. She spends immeasurable amounts of time working on projects for her students.

Candy does an amazing job of assisting her students while managing their behavior in our Structured Learning Program, Principal Neely Kirwan said. Through her hard work, it is evident how much she cares about the success of her students. She is always willing to participate in any class that is offered so she can become more effective at her job. She is always willing to go the extra mile for her students and never complains.

Maintenance Department: Rick Baher, warehouse

After years as a warehouseman for the Hermiston School District Maintenance Department, Rick Baher took over responsibility of the district warehouse about a year ago.

During that time, Rick has done a tremendous job of meeting the needs of our schools but maximizing our efficiency at providing services to those schools, Mike Kay, district director of athletics and support services, said. His willingness to help with a positive attitude are some of the attributes that the schools greatly appreciate.

Hermiston High: Deanna Garrard and Joey Williams

Hermiston High School also honored two classified employees: Deanna Garrard, an assistant in the credit-retrieval lab, and Joey Williams, a swing shift custodian.

HHS Assistant Principal Dusty Porter said Garrard is a vital part of the school and Williams is always caring and helpful. Porter said he appreciates having both on the team at Hermiston High.