Advisor Spotlight Hall of Fame

Sarah StewartSpeech and DebateArbor View HS“I love getting to watch my kids grow in confidence and poise as we work together on their public speaking and debate skills.”  January 24, 2024
Linda BraverMonica PenksaCheerleadingTarkanian MS“I enjoy sharing my love and knowledge of dance with them and the relationships that I build with the students and their families.” ~Braver“I love focusing on team building with the students as well building relationships with each member.“                                              ~PenksaJanuary 23, 2024
Dave ChristensenVarsity QuizBonanza HS “I'm very grateful to have gotten to know kids in the capacity of a club advisor. Their enthusiasm to focus and work together toward a common goal has been inspiring.”  January 10, 2024

Rachel Brannon

Student Council

Durango HS

“My favorite thing about advising Student Council is making a direct impact on the climate and culture here on campus and making people smile! We bring the fun!”January 9, 2024
LTC Keith ArchibaldArmy JROTCDesert Oasis HS“I enjoy seeing Cadets grow to be more mature and confident leaders and supportive of other Cadets.”  December 5, 2023
Elicia AslinNational Honor SocietyWest CTA“My favorite part about being an advisor is getting to know the kids outside of class and seeing them flourish in leadership roles.”December 5, 2023
Karla BlakemoreStudent CouncilLied STEM Academy "My Leadership students are the reason I come to school every day. They keep me grounded, make me smile and laugh and constantly remind me why I became a teacher.”  November 17, 2023

Rhealyn Boquiren

Key Club

Shadow Ridge HS

“My favorite part is seeing how much students have grown, especially if they have been in the club for more than a year.”November 17, 2023
Varsity QuizDel Sol AcademyRamiro Martinez "Connecting with students outside of the academic world benefits not only students but teachers, as well. The kids ground me and also are the perfect reminder of why I got into this career in the first place.”Mailyn Bashay

“I love getting to see our students shine. The best part is how proud they are of themselves when they answer correctly and win a match.” 

October 23, 2023
Tyler SuttonChess ClubArbor View HS“I'm very proud of the hard work my chess club members have put in over the last three years. They made the choice to be a competitive team and have put in many hours improving their game”October 23, 2023
Kanecia CarterCheerCimarron HS“I really feel blessed because I love cheerleading and have been doing it most of my life!”October 12, 2023

Allison Bernat

Student Council

Brown MS

“I enjoy watching students grow, gain confidence, and achieve their goals as they take on leadership roles. I am thankful to be an advisor everyday with the best group of students, school, and community.”
October 12, 2023
Heather LawsonNJHSGarrett JHS“I enjoy it when the kids see the importance of service and how it fills their souls to give to others.”September 14, 2023
Elizabeth SzirbikSpeech and DebateClark HS“My favorite part about being a coach is working with the students. The students are so passionate and it is an honor to be a part of their journey. My students work tremendously hard and I am so proud of all of their growth.”September 14, 2023
Krystal PhamStudent CouncilEast CTA“I love seeing how passionate and creative the students are in all aspects- inclusivity, spirit events, hallway decorations, school traditions, service to others, and appreciation activities.”May 11, 2023

Felicia Rivera

Student Council

Mannion MS

“As a Mannion Alumni, I am happy to give back to a middle school that gave me a great foundation for my high school future. Encouraging positivity and getting kids involved at my school makes me hopeful for positive role models in our future.”
May 11, 2023
Kassie SalleyCheerleadingBrown JHS“My favorite thing about coaching is working with young athletes to help develop their skills, confidence, and teamwork. Seeing their progress from the beginning of the season to the end is incredibly fulfilling.”
April 5, 2023
David KnappChessFertitta MS“Watching our players gain confidence is my favorite thing; chess is so much more than game skill. It is problem solving, analyzing your opponent and learning to adapt to each game situation.”  April 5, 2023
Bridger MS Student CouncilMichaela Richardson“My favorite part of advising is working with the students and seeing the positive impact that their ideas have on the campus.”Victoria Nicholas“It always brings a smile to my face when I see our members and how dedicated they are to our school and local community.”March 9, 2023

Nicole Whaley

Desert Pines HS

Speech & Debate

“Watching students unleash new sides of themselves, new voices, and new horizons is what makes leading a club the most rewarding.”
March 10, 2023
Ashli SchummLawrence JHSNJHS“I am honored to have the ability to work with such amazing students who really have a passion for doing good in the world. “February 7, 2023
Cecilee FrenchKeller MSCheerleading“Teaching my team about the importance of character, as well as healthy self-esteem, is my top priority. Seeing the growth in my team as individuals means more to many than anything.” February 7, 2023
Nicole Schlaff Cannon JHSStudent Council“My favorite part of advising Student Council is celebrating with the students when their hard work pays off, such as after a dance, fundraiser, or meeting. I am proud to advise such awesome leaders!” January 24, 2023

Tam Lester

Del Sol Academy

Chess 

“This year's Varsity Chess team won first place in their division. Being able to witness their hard work all season long and their excitement upon their success is incomparable. It is hard to properly express how proud I am of my students.” January 24, 2023
Paula WoodsA-TechNHS“My favorite part about advising NHS is watching kids who put the same energy into their classwork as they do in volunteering. I also develop a strong bond with the board, and it's awesome to see their leadership skills grow as the school year progresses.”January 13, 2023
Julie BolkenCoronado HSKey Club“We work to teach the students the skills they need to be great leaders and community members. It is a lot of work at times, but I love working in the community with all the really amazing students that join the club.”January 13, 2023
Kristina MooneyGibson Leadership AcademyChess“I love watching the kids gain confidence in themselves. They are very passionate about the game!”November 17, 2022

April Patterson

NVLA

Student Council Advisor

“My goal is to teach my students that Student Council is a service group, focusing on making the school and community a better place. When students accept this goal and begin to live it out, I believe the world is becoming a kinder place.”November 17, 2022
Laurents Banuelos-BenitezRancho HSSpeech and Debate“It is extremely rewarding watching a student get recognition for their hard work in competition, especially when they speak on a subject that they are truly passionate about.”October 26, 2022
Johnny NguyenAdvanced Technologies AcademyVarsity Quiz“I get to see students that may not open up in class turn into someone else in the club. I also love watching students grow and attain new skills or knowledge that the club provides.”October 26, 2022
Teresa StrongOrr MSCheer Coach“As a middle school coach, I believe my most important job is to teach the girls to be leaders first in academics and behavior. I love when they show me good grades or they tell me about something they enjoyed about school.”October 13, 2022

Mary Davis

Legacy HS

Student Council Advisor

“The student's energy and excitement is my favorite part of being an advisor. The students are what keep me coming back each day.”October 13, 2022
Shiela BerselliPalo Verde HSSpeech and Debate“I work with all different types of students and each of them have their own unique story to tell and experience to have, and I am lucky enough to be a part of it.”
September 14, 2022
MSgt Jackie ZimmermanShadow Ridge HSAFJROTC“The cadets make this all worthwhile. I love watching my cadets grow in the program and break out of their shells.”
September 14, 2022
Miriya JulianSoutheast CTANHS“My favorite part of advising is being with students who are actively working to make their school and community a better place.”May 4, 2022

Command Master Chief Ken Ballard

Clark High School

NJROTC 

“Life for some of our students can be extremely hard. We have the opportunity to ease that burden by providing knowledge, developing life skills, honing abilities, and shaping the attitudes of our future community leaders that can directly contribute to living a positive and productive life.”May 4, 2022
Ken LantzWest CTAKey Club Advisor“It is great watching the students share and enjoy common interests.”

April 25, 2022
Jason BeegenSig Rogich Middle School JV Quiz and Speech and Debate“My favorite part about advising my clubs is to see the growth of students both academically and socially and the overall togetherness these types of clubs bring to the students.”April 25, 2022
Ashley KinnamanGibson MSStudent Council Advisor“My favorite part about advising Student Council is watching them work as a team to accomplish a task successfully like our spring dance or fall carnival. I truly enjoy watching and helping my students turn their ideas into reality.”April 7, 2022

Annamarie Missisian

Cashman MS

NHS

“After school activities are so important to kids and their social growth, I'm honored that I get to be part of that growth for so many. I know I do good for them, but they also do good for me. Coaching gives me something to always be excited about.”April 7, 2022
David FisherLiberty HSVarsity Quiz“Interacting with the students in academic competition settings is where the real satisfaction comes from. Seeing the students getting excited about academics, fellowship, and competition constantly renews me as an educator.”

March 24, 2022
Laura PenrodSouthwest CTANHS“Being able to see them grow as not only students but leaders is empowering, and it gives me infinite hope for the future. We deeply embed service into our chapter of NHS. Being a part of that process is fulfilling because at the end of the day, I want my students to be exceptional humans in and outside of their school life.”
March 24, 2022
Patrick PorterfieldAFROTC InstructorShadow Ridge HS"My favorite part about being an AFJROTC instructor is working with the students and doing what we get to do everyday."
February 15, 2022
Eric Luchs

Speech and Debate Advisor

Foothill HS

"I've found my time with speech and debate to be the most fulfilling part of my professional career. My thanks to my students, their parents, and my colleagues for their constant support."
February 15, 2022
Sharrell HolmesCheer AdvisorSedway MS“My favorite part about advising cheer is having the opportunity to develop the overall cheerleader. I want them to know that they can be as great as they want to be. I am so proud of the teams I have coached and I am honored to be able to grace their lives, if even for a moment.”
January 26, 2022
Cheryl HerrStudent Council AdvisorBoulder City HS“My favorite part of advising Student Council is forming relationships with students and seeing their progress after they've left BCHS. I want to be supportive of the the kids who are passionate about their Student Council initiatives and help them reach success.”
January 26, 2022
Michael LeeKey Club AdvisorSpring Valley HS“I believe a student's involvement in extracurricular activities is a crucial component to building culture and community engagement, not only in school but on a local, national and global level.”
January 12, 2022
Robert TinnellChess AdvisorNorthwest CTA“The best part of advising a club is the positive interactions with the students.  The connections made during the club time just makes the classroom setting that much better!”
January 12, 2022
Isabel BucknerVarsity Quiz, Human RelationsSoutheast CTA“My favorite part of being an advisor is seeing the joy the students have because they’re part of something outside of their classes. Advising clubs makes me happy, and it makes the students happy too.” 
December  9, 2021
Kyle MillerSpeech and DebateCannon JHS“I love watching confidence grow in my students. I appreciate meetings and events that embrace all schools working together to motivate and guide the activity.” 
December 9, 2021
Nick BarnesStudent Council Advisor Arbor View HS“I challenge Student Council and myself to go above and beyond to create events that will make students happy to be at school. If students enjoy being on campus, then we have been successful. I always want students to leave campus with a smile on their face.”
November 1, 2021
Stephanie VanDykeNJHS AdvisorHarney MS“I am honored to have been spotlighted this month. My NJHS leaders are few this year due to the pandemic, but they are fierce. Their passion fuels my own. I am one lucky advisor.”
November 2, 2021
Julian OlarteHuman Relations - Pride Advisor Fertitta MS“Each of these students come from a different walk of life, and seeing them come together once a week in a place where they can be themselves without worrying about what others might think of them is what makes it worth it.”
October 14, 2021
Brad A. Kasal, SgtMajMJROTC CommanderBasic HS“Every day my students challenge me to make them better, and in return, I have to step up my game.  Every day I have to bring my A game.  They look up to me and I will not disappoint them.  I take their education, welfare, and character development seriously and put them above all else.”
October 14, 2021
Deanna PardoCheer Advisor Clark HS“I love providing a place for students to participate in things they enjoy. I really like observing the growth of the students in their skills over the years. It makes me really happy to make students happy. I'm grateful for the chance to see them learn and grow in more ways than just in my class.” 
September 30, 2021
Nicole Brooks DonolliStudent Council AdvisorWest CTA“Kids are the reason I do what I do. It is amazing to see a group of students who are so dedicated to their school and so eager to create great school culture.”
September 30, 2021