La Grande School District honors staff for dedication and student support

La Grande School District used its Crystal Apple announcement to put names to the people keeping schools steady for students and families: Melanie Rowen, Kat Smith, Wendie Perry, Theresa Tishmack and Amanda Hovekamp, who received the Legacy Award. The district’s recognition pointed to the daily work that shapes classroom climate, attendance, and student support, not just test scores.

The honorees reflect how broad that work is across the district. Rowen is listed at Greenwood Elementary School as a Grade 5 teacher, Smith as a custodian I at Greenwood, and Perry as secretary III at Island City Elementary School. Hovekamp is listed by La Grande High School as a school counselor. Theresa Tishmack was also named among the 2026 recipients, adding another staff member to a list that stretches beyond a single building or job title.

The Legacy Award gave Hovekamp special notice. La Grande Middle School’s award announcement said she has made a great impact on many students and staff members as a math teacher and counselor. In a district where families often see the most visible work in classrooms, the recognition also highlighted the quieter roles that help schools run, from counseling and teaching to office support and building care.

Crystal Apple nominations were open from Feb. 19 through an April 1 deadline, and La Grande School District had encouraged submissions for any district employee, including teachers, paraeducators, office staff and cafeteria staff. InterMountain ESD coordinates the awards, but each district chooses its own winners, which keeps the recognition local and lets La Grande decide which employees best represent its schools’ needs and culture.

The Union County Crystal Apple ceremony is set for Monday, May 4, 2026, at Eastern Oregon University’s Gilbert Event Center in La Grande. With the awards moving from nomination to public celebration, the district is turning staff recognition into a broader statement about what families depend on every day: consistent help, trusted adults and the work that keeps schools functioning well behind the scenes.