The Ceres School Board recognized Ceres Unified School District’s Classified and Confidential Employees of the Year during its Feb. 9 meeting in the Argus/Endeavor Multipurpose Room.

“From the classroom to the cafeteria and the playground to the school bus, these essential superstars go above and beyond to help students thrive,” stated Beth Jimenez, CUSD’s Communications Specialist in a post shared on CUSD’s Facebook page.

Carrie Smith, a district fiscal services administrative secretary IV, was named CUSD’s Confidential Employee of the Year. She was also a department winner.

Kimberly “Kim” Johnson Dean, a Westport Elementary School library media clerk, was named as CUSD’s district’s “Classified Employee of the Year.” She was also a “site” winner.

The following 28 classified employees honored were as site/department winners:

• Theresa Ayala, office manager at Adkison Elementary School;

• Natalie Kearney, a Westport Elementary instructional paraprofessional;

• Joshua Park, a Caswell Elementary student support specialist;

• Carolyn “Carol” Walters, a Don Pedro Elementary health clerk;

• Lisa Burnett, a Carroll Fowler food service worker;

• Krista Salter, a La Rosa Elementary student supervision assistant;

• Marlen Reyes, a Lucas Elementary custodian;

• Ana Alvarez, a Sam Vaughn Elementary instructional paraprofessional;

• Teresa “Terri” Ramos, a Sinclear Elementary School staff secretary;

• Sandy Prak, a Virginia Park Elementary School instructional paraprofessional I;

• Maria Nevarez, a health clerk at Walter White Elementary School;

• Paola Sanchez, a Whitmore Charters Schools paraprofessional;

• Vaneza Torres Pichardo, an instructional paraprofessional at Blaker-Kinser Jr. High School;

• Melina Lopez, office manager at Cesar Chavez Jr. High School;

• Aimee Gunzenhauser, a Mae Hensley Jr. High library media clerk;

• Jesscia Ramirez, an Argus High School School staff secretary;

• Jesse Padilla, a Central Valley High School campus supervisor;

• Joy Slaybaugh, a Ceres High School School staff secretary;

• Ramon Coral Jr., a district educational services instructional paraprofessional;

• Matthew “Matt” Teixera, a district child nutrition warehouse clerk and delivery driver;

• Anna-Maria Trimboli, a district fiscal services purchasing/contracts specialist;

• Kevin Biglieri, a district maintenance specialist;

• Guy Davidson, a district technology/media center print/copy specialist/delivery driver;

• Laura Gutierrez, a district transportation relief bus operator;

• Maria Rosas, a district student support services educational options school/staff secretary;

• Shellie Brown, a district student support services preschool instructional paraprofessional;

• Elizabeth “Liz” Thomas, a district student support services special education school/staff secretary;

• Louisa Diazdeleon, a district student support services for students with disabilities health clerk.