Congressional Education Award

Floor Speech

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Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of outstanding school employees in Florida's 16th Congressional District.

School employees work tirelessly because they understand that their efforts are not just about fulfilling a job description, but about shaping the future.

They deserve recognition because they are the architects of knowledge, the mentors of tomorrow's leaders, and the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Eleven years ago, I established the Congressional Education Awards program with the aim of providing special acknowledgment to administrators, educators, and support staff within Florida's 16th Congressional District for their outstanding achievements in both teaching and inspiring students.

The following school employees were nominated and selected to receive Florida's 16th District's 2025 Congressional Education Award for their accomplishments:

Leadership Award: Joseph Hougland, Stewart Elementary School.

Hurricane Shelter Award: Laura Roark, Sylvia Sorto and Andrea Keezer, Williams Elementary School; Joanne Gushue and Hayley Rio, Harvey Elementary School; Angelia Thompson, Lillian Parsons and Deanna Fisher, Shields Middle School; Miriam Jordan, Scott Samsoe and Bradley Scarbrough, Buffalo Creek Middle School; Kimberly Coulson, George Coulson and Rebecca Sargable, Collins PK-8 School; Tiffany Staton, Flor Pardo and Melissa McCullough, Daugherty Elementary School; Maricely Mendez, Olga Castillo and Aliya Norman, Reddick Elementary School; Ginger Thomas, Ana Miranda and Kate Barlaug, Mona Jain Middle School; Brenda Rau, Charles Parsons and Gary Graham, Durant High School; Kristen Bowden, Anissa McDuffy and Kimone Cooper, Lee Middle School; Sara Walker, Patti Heffner, Juliette Gjini, Michelle Liemann and Carol Pope, Freedom Elementary School; Carmen Palacios, Lenny Draper and Connie Dixon, Gene Witt Elementary School; Kevin Harrington, Tracey Shank and Sheila Waid, McNeal Elementary School; Leslie Bothke, Mike Brabrandt and Todd Richardson, Gullett Elementary School; Annie Mousseau, Jennifer Pettas, Cristal Garcia and Debra Riley, Miller Elementary School; Crystal Pagan, Joshua Fuentes and Christine Wasylkiw, Sumner High School; Premdai Hansraj, Mohammad Hammad and Tamara Brooks, Mulrennan Middle School; Michelle Bailey, Lisa McLeod and Carol Ricks, Myakka City Elementary School; Mary Cardarelle-Hermans, Robert Greer and Carl Auckerman, Nolan Middle School; Aaron Depaola, Antonio Da Silva and Kathy Price, Willis Elementary School; Tania Vidal, Laura Sanchez and Greg Sander, Prine Elementary School; Roxie Blackwelder and Richard Greene, Sugg Middle School; Deanna Sabatino, German Pena-Garcia and James Mennes, Mills Elementary School.

Relief After the Storm Award: Hillsborough Education Foundation; Manatee Education Foundation.

Support Staff Award: Eric Cooke, Williams Elementary School; Emanuel Harris, Braden River Middle School; Kelly Taillefer, Braden River Middle School; Steven Vance, Braden River Middle School; Brooke Whalen, Dorothy C. York Innovation Academy; Fay Pollack Servoss, Rogers Garden- Bullock Elementary School; Angela Nowakowski, Gene Witt Elementary School; Sherriann Johnson, Gibsonton Elementary School; Lora Sevarino, McNeal Elementary School; Nicole Yancey, Myakka City Elementary School; Kimberly Thomas, Willis Elementary School; Suzanne Theiss, Southeast High School; Dilcia Navarro, State College of Florida Collegiate school.

Teacher Award: Laura Redeker, Anna Maria Elementary School; Susan Nova, Harvey Elementary School; Katharine Kimbrell, Braden River Middle School; Jessica Mynatt, Braden River Middle School; Tasheta Riley, Braden River Middle School; Joseph Gibson, Haile Middle School; Kim Wilder, Gene Witt Elementary School; Stacy Freeman, McNeal Elementary School; Julie Read, McNeal Elementary School; Sarah Tateosian, McNeal Elementary School; Stephanie Tretolo, McNeal Elementary School; Natalie Hutchings, Newsome High School; Christiana Miller, Newsome High School; Montine Vona-Pergola, Newsome High School; Kathleen Yates, Newsome High School; Leslie Windheuser, Sumner High School; Felicia Chasey, Lakewood Ranch High School; McKenzie Gorskey, Lakewood Ranch High School; Jennifer Grant, Lakewood Ranch High School; John Wilkerson, Lakewood Ranch High School; Linda Chamberlain, Manatee Technical College; Hannah Hunter, Willis Elementary School; Noelle Kourakos, Willis Elementary School; Kathleen Bayliss, Sea Breeze Elementary School; Andrew Angelo, St. Stephen's Episcopal School; Geoff Revard, St. Stephen's Episcopal School; Emily Vargas, State College of Florida Collegiate School.

Administrator Award: Rudy Keezer, Ballard Elementary School; Marcos Rodriguez, Bloomingdale High School; Kimberlain Zenon, Braden River Middle School; Samantha Webb, Able Elementary School; Sheila Waid, McNeal Elementary School; Marla Massi-Blackmore, Tillman Elementary School; Jeannie Galindo, Lakewood Ranch High School; Jennifer Canady, Riverview High School; Craig Page, Southeast High School.

On behalf of the people of Florida's 16th District, I congratulate each of these outstanding educators and offer my sincere appreciation for their service and dedication.

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