Pima, Tucson to Celebrate Next Annual Education Service Awards
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
TUCSON, Ariz. — The Southern Arizona Education Council will host Evening to Empower Ed on Friday, May 1, 2026, continuing the longstanding tradition of honoring those whose service strengthens education across Pima County and the City of Tucson. Building on the legacy of the Crystal Apple Awards, the celebration will recognize students, educators, schools, and community organizations whose work helps learners thrive.
Presented by Vantage West Credit Union and hosted by Pima Community College, the event will begin with check-in at 6:00 p.m., followed by the program at 6:30 p.m., and will conclude at approximately 8:15 p.m.
This year’s event falls on College Decision Day and just ahead of Teacher Appreciation Week, offering a fitting occasion to celebrate the service of 58 Peer Coaches from schools across Amphitheater, Marana, Tucson, Sunnyside, Vail, and St. Augustine. These students have supported their peers with college-going guidance and postsecondary planning, alongside the professionals and organizations who help make educational success possible.
“Evening to Empower Ed is an opportunity to celebrate education not only as a system, but as a shared community responsibility,” said Rocque Perez, President and CEO of the Southern Arizona Education Council. “This year’s honorees reflect the extraordinary commitment, compassion, and vision that exist across our schools, colleges, and communities. From peer coaches and classroom educators to counselors, nonprofit leaders, and financial partners, these are the people helping shape brighter futures for learners across Pima County.”
The event will recognize honorees across several major categories, highlighting outstanding leadership, service, and student-centered impact across the region.
Among this year’s principal honorees are:
Lifetime Education Advocate: Jackie Nichols, Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School
Superintendent of the Year: John Carruth, Vail School District
Administrator of the Year: Matt Donaldson, Empire High School
Counselor of the Year: Garrett Wilton, Esperero Canyon Middle School
Teacher of the Year: Jeanne Wages, Andrada Polytechnic High School
Youth of the Year: Nevaeh Larson, Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary
Outstanding Service to Community: Youth On Their Own; Don Harp, Pima Community College; Justin Curry, United Way; and Treasures 4 Teachers of Tucson
Outstanding Student-Serving Financial Institution: Vantage West Credit Union
College Catalyst: Sunnyside High School
The Council will also honor a distinguished group of Exemplary Educators, recognizing one educator from each public school district and an educational agency represented across Pima County. This year’s Exemplary Educators include Ethnee Taylor (Amphi), Lyndee Jones (Catalina Foothills), Angela Gonzales (Marana), Alberto Urquidez (Flowing Wells), Michelle Barcanic (JTED), Vanessa Sawyer (Sahuarita), Allison Labenberg (Sunnyside), Monique Peralta (Tucson), Lorena Fonseca (Vail), and Michael Olguin (Greater Community).
Last year’s return of the event – previously known as the Crystal Apple Awards and in hiatus post-pandemi – brought together more than 250 guests, including elected officials, educators, students, families, and nonprofit partners, and featured recognition across the same categories.
Tickets for this year’s event are available at sazeducation.org/empowered, with student, school personnel, general admission, and group ticket options available.
About the Southern Arizona Education Council:
The Southern Arizona Education Council is the regional evolution of the Metro Education Commission under Pima County and the City of Tucson, and continues the mission of empowering a more educated and engaged community by connecting learners with opportunities to thrive. The Council works across education, government, and the broader community to support civic empowerment, postsecondary access, and regional collaboration.
