Employee Milestones Celebrated at Katy ISD Annual Service Awards Event
On April 2, educators and other prominent figures of the Katy ISD congregated at the Leonard E. Merrell Center in celebration of the annual Employee Service Awards event. The theme of the evening, "Eras of Excellence," was a nod to the impressive longevity of the staff's tenure, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the district and their significant influence on the surrounding community.
As the attendees, including staff, administrators, Board members, and guests filled the Leonard E. Merrell Center, the harmonious tunes from the talented Katy ISD Elite Jazz Ensemble set the atmosphere for an evening of commemoration and gratitude. The event observed milestones of a multitude of district employees, ranging from teachers, administrators, support personnel to operations workers, and law enforcement officers.
By collectively devoting decades to improve the educational experience within Katy ISD, these honored individuals significantly contributed to the district's success and influenced countless students.
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Ken Gregorski honored the dedication of these individuals by stating, "I extend my heartfelt thanks for your tireless efforts in our classrooms, support facilities, police department, and throughout our community." He went on to commend the retirees, emphasizing, “Thank you to our retirees for your dedication and for leaving this school district an even better place than when you first arrived.”
The award ceremony was interspersed with carefully curated videos, reflecting on significant career milestones of the honorees, encapsulating the core ethos of working in the education sector. According to the District, the videos left the audience visibly moved as it provoked introspection of their own careers while instilling a deep sense of appreciation and inspiration for the honorees and their contributions.
Among those recognized for 35 and 40 years of service in what was termed their "Legacy Era" were Donna Pittenger, B.J. Thibodeaux, Thomas D’Andrea, Raymond Fonseca, Virginia Neville, and Donna Sloat. These six individuals have devoted more than 35 years to the district and continually impact the students, leaving a lasting legacy.
The annual Employee Service Awards event pays tribute to the commitment and contributions of the district's longest-serving employees, emphasizing Katy ISD's persistent dedication to promoting excellence in education.
By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region. |
