NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                April 3, 2026

CONTACT:  

Deann Balash, Vice-President Montrose Education Foundation

Ph: 989.430.2604

Dbalash63@gmail.com

RE:  Educator Appreciation Reception
Montrose Education Foundation 2026 Teacher of the Year Recipients, $10,000 Impact Award Recipients

The Montrose Education Foundation, Inc. (MEF) hosted its annual Educator Appreciation Reception on Thursday, April 2, 2026, for all Montrose County School District (MCSD) staff.  The event was held at the Montrose Pavilion and served as a small token of sincere appreciation for the hard work and dedication of every MCSD team member.

During the reception, MEF was honored to announce the 2026 Teacher of the Year recipients and present the $10,000 Impact Award.

The MEF Impact Award is presented to teachers who are either past Teacher of the Year recipients or current Teacher of the Year candidates.  Eligible educators submit an innovative and impactful idea designed to benefit their schools and students.  Each year, one outstanding project is selected to receive the award.

The 2026 Impact Award was awarded to Chris Thompson and Meghan Waschbusch at Centennial Middle School for their VEX Robotics Program.  The project will expand the Robotics Class by creating an afterschool robotics program for middle schoolers.  The program would provide weekly sessions that allow additional students to participate in VEX Robotics and prepare for competitions.  In addition, the program will offer bi-weekly afterschool robotics sessions for elementary students, providing an earlier exposure to engineering design and robotics.

The Montrose Education Foundation Teacher of the Year Program recognizes licensed classroom teachers for the significant contributions they make to their schools, district and their community.  Each year, nominations are submitted by parents, students, colleagues and community members.  The nomination period opens in October and closes in mid-November. 

One hundred sixty-one teachers were nominated and recognized in November 2025 during American Education Week.  Each received a lapel pin and a certificate in recognition of their dedication to education.  During this time, the MEF also shows appreciation for the entire staff by providing baskets of apples to schools throughout the district.

Ten outstanding educators completed the candidate essay questionnaire, which is based on the Colorado Teacher of the Year standards, making them eligible for further consideration. From this group, three level recipients—Elementary, Middle, and High School—were selected. Each received a $500 check from Alpine Bank to use in their classrooms, and MEF presented them with a crystal trophy in recognition of their achievement.

Congratulations to the following 2026 Teacher of the Year recipients.  The quotes are from their application about what their teaching philosophy is.

Elementary School Recipient – Valerie Hansen - Johnson Elementary School;

“My philosophy of education focuses on the whole child – socially, emotionally, and academically.  When students are in a classroom space where they feel safe and supported, they are ALL able to grow and thrive.”

Middle School Recipient – Leslie Maddox - Columbine Middle School;

“All students can learn in an environment focused on building relationships, mutual respect, and high expectations.  Mistakes provide opportunities for growth and should be used to encourage reflection on learning.”

High School Recipient – Joy Robinson - Olathe Middle and High School;

“Through creative and critical innovation, high expectations, passion, and a focus on productive struggle, resilience, and equity, I aim to empower students to succeed academically while developing confidence, adaptability, and lifelong learning skills.”

The MEF would like to thank our platinum sponsors: the City of Montrose, Buck and Marsha Miller, and the Blythe Group.  We also want to extend a huge thank you to Brianna Skarka and Joshua Skarka, the 2026 Montrose’s Got Talent grand prize winners, for providing such incredible entertainment at the reception.

The Montrose’s Got Talent competition, along with the generous support of our sponsors, is how the foundation raises the funds necessary to support teachers throughout the Montrose and Olathe communities.

The MEF is comprised of community members dedicated to making a positive impact on our local education system, guided by their mission: “Education is Our Future.”

Current board members include Deann Balash, Melissa Byrnes, Patricia Cummings, Kathy Flower, Sandy Head, Jody Hovde, Buck Miller, Alice Murphy, Carrie Stephenson and Mikayla Unruh. 

For more information about the foundation, our programs, how to become a board member, or how to make a donation, please visit montroseeducationfoundation.org or contact us at montroseeducationfoundation22@gmail.com.

$10,000 Impact Award

L to R: Deann Balash (MEF), Meghan Waschbusch and Chris Thompson (CTMS)

Teacher of the Year recipients

L to R: Joy Robinson (OMHS), Leslie Maddox (CMS) and Valerie Hansen (JES)

###

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            February 9, 2026

CONTACT: 

Deann Balash, Vice-President Montrose Education Foundation

Ph: 989.430.2604

Dbalash63@gmail.com

8th annual Montrose’s Got Talent Competition

Saturday, February 7, 2026, Montrose, Colorado. – The Montrose Education Foundation (MEF) hosted its 8th annual Montrose’s Got Talent Competition Fundraiser.  Held at the Montrose Pavilion Auditorium.  New this year, the competition awarded two $1,000 grand prize winners in two age categories - 12 and under and 13 and over.  To participate in the final competition acts were required to audition on Tuesday, January 20th.  The top 7 acts from each age category were selected then to advance to the final competition on February 7th.  The competition is for school age performers and all varieties of acts are welcome.  All top 3 acts in each age category receive a cash prize with the grand prize winners receiving $1,000.  The total amount awarded was $3,500.

The 14 acts and their talents:

12 and under age category:

1                Ka’re Folklorico Dance Group•Dance

Ivan Jaramillo, Marie Najar, Xenia Nieto, Jhonathan Ovando, Carmela Ovando, Elizabeth Rivera, Lizeth Rivera, and Allen Zamarripa

2               Marybeth Skarka•Piano

3               The Canady Sisters•Vocal

                       Reagan, Harper and Joelle Canady

4               Wren Malloy•Dance

5                Brielle Cisneros•Vocal

6               Sienna Comstock•Contemporary Dance

7                Brianna Skarka•Piano: Original Composition

13 and over age category:

8               Dylan Box•Rubik's Cubes/Speed-cubing

9               Emma Braaten•Vocal

10             Kaysan Carlton•Vocal accompanied by Guitar

11              Jeremy Brailsford•Hip Hop Dance

12             Audrieanna Sisneros•Vocal

13             Joshua Skarka•Piano

14             Kayla Braaten•Vocal

All 14 acts performed during the first half of the show on February 7th.  During intermission the judges deliberated and the audience enjoyed the MCSD student art exhibit in the lobby.  At the beginning of the second half of the show, the top 3(6) acts were announced and they performed again.  The Waxler Brothers (Zeke and Nathaniel) entertained the audience while the judges deliberated the top 3 (in each age category) placement.  The scores were very close.  All acts had an amazing performance.

The top acts for 12 and under were:

3rd place – Sienna Comstock won $250

2nd place – Wren Malloy won $500

1st place – Brianna Skarka won $1,000

The top acts for 13 and over were:

3rd place – Audrieanna Sisneros won $250

2nd place – Emma Braaten won $500

1st place – Joshua Skarka won $1,000

This is an 8th annual fundraiser for the Montrose Education Foundation.  The money raised by this competition is reinvested in the RE-1J school district's teachers and students.  It supports the Teacher of the Year Programs, Appreciation Events and a $10,000 annual Impact Award that the teachers are eligible to apply for.

The MEF wishes to thank all of the acts who shared their talents to help make the show a success and to all of their generous sponsors.  Sponsors: Platinum – City of Montrose, Buck & Marsha Miller, Blythe Group + Co and the Montrose Mirror; Gold – Alpine Bank and DMEA; Silver – CED, Timberline Bank The Montrose Daily Press, Montrose County, DWC CPA Advisors and the Montrose Business Times; Bronze - Montrose County School District, Mike & Phoebe Benziger, NuVista Credit Union, Scott’s Printing & Design, Deann Balash & John Boughton, Allen & Sandy Head, Montrose Ford Nissan Inc, Hartman Brothers, Stryker & Company, Inc, Alexander Orthodontics, San Juan Mountains Credit Union and Davis Service Center. 

The MEF board is composed of community members who want to make a positive impact in the community’s education system.  Their mission statement is: Education is Our Future.  The board members are: Sandy Head, President; Deann Balash, Vice President and the Montrose’s Got Talent Producer/Director; Buck Miller, Secretary/Treasurer; Melissa Byrnes; Patricia Cummings; Kathy Flower; Jody Hovde; Alice Murphy; Carrie Stephenson; and Mikayla Unruh.  For more information about the Montrose Education Foundation, the programs they sponsor, become a board member or to make a donation (and a difference), visit MontroseEducationFoundation.org or send an email to montroseeducationfoundation22@gmail.com.