2026 NKYEC Excellence in Education Awards
Congratulations to our 2026 Honorees!
Student leadership
Reagan Culbertson - Owen County HS
Emily Hall - Dayton HS
Jennifer Hamilton - Ryle HS
Kanak Sahni - Ignite Institute
Madison Utter - Grant County HS
Liza Zengel - Highlands HS
Career & Technical Academic All-Star
Barret Becker - Highlands HS
Emma Bolen - Simon Kenton HS
Gabriel Gross - Holmes HS
Justin Hamilton - Walton-Verona HS
Solomon Pangallo - Beechwood HS
Emma Scherff - Ignite Institute
Samuel Stevens - Ryle HS
Against All Odds Awards
Adrianna Deboard - Campbell County HS
Kayleana Florence - Pendleton County HS
Colton Hurley - Owen County HS
Payton Smith - Ludlow HS
David Zeitz - Carroll County HS
Extraordinary Service
Lindsay Chappell - Florence Elementary School
Stacy Dickerson - Southgate Public School
Hannah Sizemore - Dixie Heights HS
Kerry Tacket - Gallatin County Upper & Lower Elementary Schools
Dr. Kim Visse - Crossroads Elementary School
Donna Watts - Newport HS
One-to-One Distinguished Service Award
Rachael Crawford - Distinguished School Liaison, Glenn O’Swing Elementary School
Angela Gabbard - Distinguished School Administrator, Lindeman Elementary
Dave Schroeder - Distnguished Community Partner, Kenton County Public Library
Golden Apple - Elementary
Rebecca Arnold - Southgate Public School
George Canfield - Steeplechase Elementary School
Sandra Howard - Grant’s Lick Elementary School
Dagny Lucas - Norther Elementary School
Kari Mathews - Stephens Elementary School
Amanda McKinley - Walton-Verona Early Childhood Center
Ruth Palmer - Walton-Verona Intermediate School
Ashley Reusch - Mann Elementary School
Andy Sherlock - Hillard Collins Elementary School
Brooke Solzsmon - Grandview Elementary School
Sheena Walters - Dry Ridge Elementary School
Marie Zimmerman - Johnson Elementary School
Golden Apple - Middle School
Tonya Cummins - Phillip Sharp MS
Nate Green - Newport MS
Stacy Shaw - Bartlett Educational Center
Kelly Simmons - Carroll County MS
Sally Spencer - Twenhofel MS
Amie Taphouse - Beechwood MS
Golden Apple - High School
Kelsey Gognat - Owen County HS
Kristen Goodpaster - Ludlow HS
Melissa Hall - Randall Cooper HS
Amanda Hartman - Walton-Verona HS
Claire LaNicce - Highlands HS
Lori Miller - Dayton HS
Katelyn Phillips - Campbell County HS
Jessica Poe - Ignite Institute
April Saylor - Williamstown HS
Wayne Scudder - Gallatin County Schools
A.D. Albright Outstanding Administrator of the Year
Heather Dragan - Lincoln Elementary School
Robert J. Storer Visionary Leader Award
Dr. Jaesook Gilbert, Northern Kentucky University
Doug Penix, Gateway Community & Technical College
The Spirit of Determination Award
Carlos Goitia
Bonnie Kinmon
Business Engagement of the Year
Allied Rail Corp. - Andrew Wartman
Community Partner of the Year
Grant County Education Foundation - Carolyn Thomas Thopson
Education Legacy Awards
Matt Baker - Superintendent, Walton-Verona Independent School District
Alvin Garrison - Superintendent, Covington Independent School District
Friend of Education
Kevin Costello - Executive Director, Boone County Planning & Zoning
Champion for Education
Carri Chandler - President, St. Elizabeth Healthcare Foundation
Lifetime Achievement Award
Kathy Reutman Bryant - Executive Director of Student & Community Services, Boone County School District
Connie Pohlgeers - Director of School Improvement, Campbell County School District
We are looking forward to this exciting event for NKY Education!!