Media Contact:

Anna Nelson

701-570-0747

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 28, 2024

CHAMBER, PARTNERS CELEBRATE 2024 educators of the year

Williston, N.D. - The Western Star Foundation (WSF), an organization of the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce (WACC), along with the Williston Community Builders (WCB) and the Williston Basin School District #7 (WBSD#7) Parent Advisory Council (PAC) are pleased to announce the 2024 Educators of the Year.

The organizations worked together to put on an end-of-year celebration on Thursday, May 23, 2024, that included the awarding of the Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, Apple Award (Substitute Teacher of the Year), and the first-ever Pear Award (Para or Support Professional of the Year).

On the last day of school and with the fitting theme of Summer Vacation, the WCB put together a night of food and fun, hosted at the UMVF Curling Club by site sponsor Upper Missouri Valley Fair, including dinner sponsored by the American Legion, Edgar M. Boyd Post 37 and karaoke hosted by Nicole Ross. The WSF/WACC provided prizes, both donated by and purchased from local businesses, that the teachers could win from the claw machine, sponsored by Triangle Electric and Industrial Automation and provided by the House of Style.

A special thanks goes out to all local businesses and individuals who helped provide a prize to every teacher who attended this event. Thank you, also, to the Coyote Clay Target League for their help setting up and tearing down.

Helen Askim, WACC Board Member and WSF Leadership & Education Committee Chair, presented the awards which were nominated by WBSD#7, St. Joseph’s Catholic School, and Williston Trinity Christian School and voted on by the public. The awards were sponsored by Chatter Pediatric Therapy and owner, Katie Kringen, spoke at the event and helped hand out the awards.

The winners were as follows (pictures can be found at the bottom of this page):

Pear Award: Gina Doran, St. Joseph’s Catholic School
Principal of the Year: Dina Norby, Missouri Ridge
Teacher of the Year: Wanda Benson, Bakken Ridge Center
Apple Award: Williston Middle School Central Campus Staff

Congratulations to all nominees and awardees!

Additional photos from the evening are coming soon, provided by Main Street Media.

For additional information or to get connected with award winners, please contact WSF/WACC President, Anna Nelson, at anna@willistonchamber.com or 701-570-0747 (call or text).

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