Awards and Recognition

Nominate a coworker or staff member who has gone the extra mile to support student success in Pasco Schools with the North Star Award. This special recognition includes a surprise announcement from Superintendent Whitney for those who receive the award.

Important Details:

• The North Star submission form will be open from October 1, 2025 to February 27, 2026 allowing time for presentation scheduling.
• Recipients will be honored with only one North Star Award per year.
• Submissions are accepted exclusively through the designated form below.

Crystal Apple "Excellence in Education" Awards are regional awards given to certified employees in local districts. The awards are coordinated by Education Service District 123 and sponsored by hundreds of local businesses, organizations, and individuals committed to recognizing outstanding instructional leadership. In addition to a bounty of donated gifts and a crystal apple award, recipients are presented with $1,000 to use towards anything they wish. The Crystal Apple Awards are presented in March by area superintendents. 

Congratulations to our 2025 Crystal Apple Winner - Gabriela Whitemarsh!

Gabriela Whitemarsh, a bilingual math teacher at Pasco High School, has been named the district’s 2025 Crystal Apple Award winner. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding educators who demonstrate excellence in teaching, innovation, and dedication to student success.

With over eight years of service at Pasco High School, Mrs. Whitemarsh has made a profound impact on students, particularly multilingual learners, by creating equitable pathways to advanced mathematics education. In 2018, she launched the Advanced Multilingual Mathematics Program to provide newcomer students —those who have recently arrived in a new country, region, or school system with limited English proficiency—access to college-level math courses. Her groundbreaking initiative has given students opportunities that were previously unavailable, ensuring equitable access to advanced coursework.

Visit the ESD 123 Crystal Apple webpage for more details.

Congratulations to our 2025 Staff Achievement Winners!

• Sonia Cruz, 2nd Grade Teacher & Head Teacher at Whittier Elementary
• David Whitt, History Teacher at McLoughlin Middle School
• Ana Tuiaea-Ruud, CTE Community Engagement Manager at Chiawana High School
• Dr. Don Rumsey, History & Math Teacher at New Horizons High School
• Diosalen Vega Morfin, Intervention Prevention Specialist at Pasco High School.

The PinK Award (Partners In Kindness) honors the generous contributions of our community partners—businesses, non-profit organizations, churches, and other entities—that demonstrate exceptional kindness and support to our schools and donate funds, items, or services valued at $1,000 or more to benefit Pasco School District students, staff, families, and programs. Each recipient receives a PinK Award plaque, personally signed by the Pasco School District Board President, as a token of our deep appreciation and generosity.

Learn more by visiting our Pink Awards Webpage.