Dysart Celebrates 55 Staff Members as Heroes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 04/22/24

DYSART SCHOOLS - Dysart Unified School District annually names staff members as Heroes to recognize outstanding service to the district and the community. This year, 55 staff members received the honor of being named a Dysart Hero, after being selected through a peer nomination process.  There were hundreds of nomination letters this year, truly demonstrating the hard work and dedication of Dysart’s staff. Heroes were surprised with the awards by the Dysart Hero Squad, made up of district administrators and Governing Board members, over the course of several days in March.  

The Dysart Heroes were honored during a ceremony and silent auction on April 18, 2024 at Happy Trails Performing Arts Center. Dr. John Croteau, Superintendent of Dysart Schools, was the Master of Ceremonies and read excerpts from the nomination letters. A commemorative Hero plaque, sponsored by the Dysart Education Foundation, was presented by Assistant Superintendent of Support Services, Marydel Speidell and members of the Dysart Governing Board.  Attendees enjoyed dinner and a silent auction along with the awards ceremony. 

2024 Dysart Heroes:

Certified / Classified 

Asante Preparatory Academy - Dana Choo-Drwencke; Todd Hohn 

Ashton Ranch Middle School - Mallorie Yeakel; Adelina Calvo 

Canyon Ridge School - Brooke McNeil; Lisa Benner 

Cimarron Springs Middle School - Ashley Robbins; Kimberly Knox 

Countryside Elementary School - Nicole Grubb; Felicia Lucero 

Dysart High School - Alesha Wisbey; Sherrie Klemmetson 

Dysart Middle School - Poonam Saini; April Harrison 

El Mirage Elementary School - Kaitlyn Wagner; Laura Jacobo 

Freedom Traditional Academy - Sarah Coelho; Layla Henley 

Kingswood Elementary School - Renee Puig Hink; Kevin Bauer 

Luke Elementary School - Christina Tormollan; D'Lynn Celis 

Marley Park Elementary School - Meegan Alfred; Sara Massey 

Mountain View School - Carolyn Jordan; Donna Litwin 

Rancho Gabriela Elementary School - Michelle Ives; Marcia Ideran 

Riverview School - Michael Mundstock; Andrea Cervantes 

Shadow Ridge High School - Elizabeth Enk; Deborah Eggers 

Sonoran Heights Middle School - Monica Bowers; Heidi Gibbs 

Sundown Mountain Alternative Education Program - Martha Aranda; Andrea Gersjes 

Sunset Hills Elementary School - Rose Vargas; LD Howard 

Surprise Elementary School - Lisa Ruggiero; Celia Tapia 

Thompson Ranch Elementary School - Kathleen Burton; Danielle Hedrick 

Valley Vista High School - Heather Hadenfeldt; Brandi Harris 

West Point Elementary School - Amanda Hryb; Nitosha Siqueiros 

Western Peaks Elementary School - Tara Tirado; Rebecca Labrie 

Willow Canyon High School - Heather Casey; Frances Valencia 

District Departments - Wendy Frederick, Human Relations ; Don Philippe, Transportation 

Volunteer   

Carolyn Brzeczek, Canyon Ridge School 

Administrators 

Danae Marinelli, Arts Director 

Connie Wolford, Freedom Traditional Academy Principal 

The Dysart Hero Awards were sponsored this year by generous community partners including: 

Diamond Sponsors: Emcor, Valley Schools 

Platinum Sponsors: 1GPA, Chasse, Dysart Education Foundation, Turboscape 

Gold Sponsors: AstroTurf, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona, General Acrylics, Magellan 

Silver Sponsors: AG Part Worldwide, Bel-Aire Mechanical, Biddle and Brown Fence Co., Brock USA, CHWP Expos, Colonial Life, CORE Construction, Dave Bang and Associates 

Bronze Sponsors: EMI Health Dental, Logicalis, Sun Life 

A special thanks to our schools and Parent Support organizations for donating silent auction items and to the Dysart Education Foundation for sponsoring our Dysart Hero plaques and bags.