Copyright © 2021 Roswell Daily Record
Church on the Move hosted Character Counts’ Teacher of Character event on March 3, honoring the achievements and dedication of local teachers.
The theme for Character Counts is Year of the Bowtie, honoring the memories of late Judge (ret.) Alvin F. Jones who was an active supporter of the organization. Jones was known in the community for wearing bowties, and the stages were framed with giant bowties, smaller ones were available to the guests and a photo booth was set up for those who wanted to capture the moment.
Amy McVay-Davis, president of Character Counts, said that she was pleased that so many attended, though some of the teachers who had been nominated could not attend because they had retired and had moved away.
More than 400 people, including the teachers, friends and families were present at the event, which began with a greeting by Tim Fuller, executive director of Character Counts, and a prayer of thanks by Tim Aguilar, Church on the Move pastor, before the honorees and guests lined up at the dinner buffet, which was catered by Lovelace Hospital.
Those honored at the event for their years of service were:
Support Local Journalism
Subscribe to the Roswell Daily Record today.
Eight years
Julie King, Pecos Elementary School.
Crystal O’Conner, Berrendo Elementary School.
Seven years
Frankie Amaro, Dexter Elementary School.
Nadine Brady, Mountain View Middle School.
Shelly Dunaway, Valley View Elementary School.
Rick Smith, Sierra Middle School.
Stacey Ware, Berrendo Elementary School.
Six years
Kathryn Biggs, Sierra Middle School.
Arthur Cobos, Dexter Middle School.
Natalie Duncan, Del Norte Elementary School.
Arturo Duran, Dexter Middle School.
Joshua Escamilla, Sunset Elementary School.
Tamarah Helmstetler, Del Norte Elementary School.
Crystal Lethgo, East Grand Plains Elementary School.
Caroline Martinez, Pecos Elementary School.
Elida Mundy, Del Norte Elementary School.
Angel Munson, East Grand Plains Elementary School.
Susan Schmidt, Dexter High School.
Larry VandenBout, Dexter Middle School.
Kathryn Vaz, East Grand Plains Elementary School.
Special awards went to: Evelyn Kresyman, All Saints Catholic School; Leticia Tarin, Mesa Middle School; Andrea Eudy, Military Heights Elementary School; Natalie Duncan, Del Norte Elementary School; Crystal Lethgo, East Grand Plains Elementary School; and Tami Bechtel, newly retired.
The Legacy Award went to Dennis Pabst.
