By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – The 24 Crystal Apple Teachers of Distinction were announced Nov. 14, as volunteers visited classrooms to surprise those selected from the 760 nominations received.

On Sept. 27, the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry kicked off the 16th annual Crystal Apple Awards program, visiting 10 different school districts including: Marshfield Public, Columbus Catholic, Trinity Lutheran, Immanuel Lutheran, Spencer, Greenwood, Granton, Pittsville, Auburndale, and St. Joseph in Stratford, seeking nominations.

From the nominations, voting took place in each school district to determine the 24 finalists. The 2018 finalists are: Auburndale Elementary – Steve Voss, Auburndale Middle/High School – Kara Lasiewicz, Columbus Catholic High School – Deborah Kennedy, Columbus Catholic St. John’s/OLP – Nancy Baierl, Granton Schools – Kayleigh Vantassel, Greenwood Elementary – Carey Petri, Greenwood Middle/High School – Noah Werner, Immanuel Lutheran – Brenda Kuhnau, Marshfield Grant – Jonathon Hitchcock, Marshfield Grant – Shelisa Schmidt, Marshfield High School – Timothy Bergelin, Marshfield High School – Dean McFarlane, Marshfield Lincoln – Janeen Herkert, Marshfield Madison – Christine Zanotelli, Marshfield Middle School – Madalyn Field, Marshfield Nasonville – Kris Phillips, Marshfield Washington – Cari Martin, Pittsville Elementary – Michelle Abel, Pittsville High School – Todd Steward, Spencer Elementary – Holly Strey, Spencer High School – Abbi Roehrborn, St. Joseph School – Kristie Bangart, and Trinity Lutheran School – Mike Wisniewski.

The field will now be narrowed to four, through a selection panel. Those teachers will be honored at a banquet held May 1 at Hotel Marshfield. Each will receive a $1,000 award.