The Tempe Diablos announced the finalists for its 35th annual Excellence in Education event, to be held at Wild Horse Pass Resort and Casino on Thursday, May 2, honoring and recognizing outstanding educators serving the Tempe community including teachers, leaders and administrators.

A variety of awards will be announced for Teacher of the Year, High Impact, Class Act, Inspiration, Leadership, Rising Star and Lifetime Achievement, a press release explained. The event is referred to as “The Academy Awards of Education” thanks to the red carpet entry, the black-tie fashion and the caliber of the awards given.

“The Excellence in Education event is the only one of its kind in the valley,” Michael Horn, event chair and Tempe Diablo, stated in the release. “It’s a spectacular night honoring outstanding educators serving the Tempe community. It’s quite literally the Diablos’ mission in action.”

The finalists for each award are:

Teacher of the Year

• Alison Rund Garmen, Tempe Union High School District
• Krista Carr, Tempe Union High School District
• Mary Catherine Boatright, Tempe Union High School District
• Susan Edinger, Kyrene School District
• Jeanne Cano, Kyrene School District
• Mark Collins, Kyrene School District
• Kelsey Garner, Tempe Elementary School District
• Teresa Wallace, Tempe Elementary School District
• Krista Arriola, Tempe Elementary School District

Lifetime Achievement

• Kimberly Hilgers, Tempe Union High School District
• Shelly Arrendondo, Tempe Union High School District
• Mark Collins, Kyrene School District
• Donna Kosis, Kyrene School District
• Patricia Radke, Tempe Elementary School District
• Jewel Valenzuela, Tempe Elementary School District

Leadership

• Brent Brown, Tempe Union High School District
• Timothy Honan, Tempe Union High School District
• Maria Salas Murphy, Kyrene School District
• Stephanie Leake, Kyrene School District
• Emily Pavone, Tempe Elementary School District
• Chelsea Liviolsi, Tempe Elementary School District

High Impact

• Jennifer Munoz, Tempe Union High School District
• Natasha Alston, Tempe Union High School District
• Sharon Hall, Kyrene School District
• Jamie Van Denburg, Kyrene School District
• Alison Bruening-Hamati, Tempe Elementary School District
• Nancy Timm, Tempe Elementary School District

Inspiration

• Lane Waddell, Tempe Union High School District
• Otilia Tines, Tempe Union High School District
• Meghann Powell, Kyrene School District
• Jim Schieffer, Kyrene School District
• Jewel Valenzuela, Tempe Elementary School District
• Marlon Morgan, Tempe Elementary School District

Rising Star         

• Jahaziel Felix, Tempe Union High School District
• Lindsey Kotz, Tempe Union High School District
• Ashley Faber, Kyrene School District
• Victoria Malone, Kyrene School District
• Shandy Htun, Tempe Elementary School District
• Steven Wheeler, Tempe Elementary School District

Class Act

• Devin Kirby, Tempe Union High School District
• Nellie Ann Lopez, Tempe Union High School District
• Molly Abel, Kyrene School District
• Kristi Johnson, Kyrene School District
• Sally Bajoros, Tempe Elementary School District
• Susanne Bonjour, Tempe Elementary School District

During the event, the 2024 Tempe Diablos Scholars who will receive scholarships to either Arizona State University, Maricopa Community Colleges or Trade Schools will also be announced, the release added.