Each Mt. Vernon building had a teacher of the year and staff member of the year, which were honored at the April 1 gala for the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation.
Submitted photo
FORTVILLE – Teachers, staff, parents and more gathered in a black tie celebration in honor of the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation.
The annual Black & Gold Gala was April 1 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis. Nearly 350 people attended, raising about $140,000 for the organization that supports teachers through classroom grants.
Karen Riesterer of Mt. Vernon High School was named Teacher of the Year, while Wendy Mayo of Mt. Comfort Elementary School was named Staff Member of the Year.
The TOY and SOY award winners received $2,500 awards through the Ryan Fry Excellence in Education Award. The award was established in 2018 by Jill and Kevin Prefontaine in memory of her brother, Ryan.
Other nominees for the TOY and SOY awards were also honored at the event, including Jill Chastain and Dawn Teschendorf of Fortville Elementary School; Kayla Negley and Emily Snider of McCordsville Elementary School; Liz Moan of Mt. Comfort elementary school; Courtney Stroup and Julie Wilson of Mt. Vernon Middle School; Jennifer Hohnbaum of Mt. Vernon High School; and Dana Hochstedler and Lisa Heitman of the administration building.
Distinguished alumni award winners were Tammy Bauchert, Bob Hiday and David Oden.
The award honors alumni who have gone above and beyond in their service to the community or have made outstanding achievements.
Bauchert, who graduated in 1978, has a background in family and consumer science, has taught family consumer science, and has several volunteer roles and professional honors. Hiday, a 1967 graduate, has served the school and community in many ways, including as a school board member, volunteer firefighter and town council member. Oden, who graduated in 1985, is a retired captain with the U.S. Navy and has served in local veterans organizations and a local soccer club.
Also at the gala, Mike and Libby Harris received an award for their outstanding dedication and service to the foundation. The Leanne Brown Cornerstone Award is presented annually, along with a $3,000 donation to be used as any MV grant project of their choice.
Context Design and Hancock Health were honored at the gala with the MVEF Keystone Award, which is given to companies for outstanding corporate support to the foundation.
