ELLSWORTH — Ellsworth Community School District honored 2020 and 2021 retirees and employees for years of service Monday, May 10 at a catered meal in the Ellsworth High School Cafetorium. It was the event’s 34th year.

Superintendent Barry Cain said that because 2020 plans for the annual celebration were derailed thanks to COVID, it was imperative to do something for staff this year, even if it looks different than past years.

“We needed to make something happen this year,” Cain said.

School Board President Doug Peterson thanked staff for their unwavering dedication to education during a tough, unprecedented year.

“Survivor is the theme of the day. Thank you just doesn’t cut it,” Peterson told staff.

Cain said last summer, no one had any idea how the following school year would pan out. But the staff’s flexibility, willingness to try and to make things work has made the year a success. Cain also showed his appreciation for the community, which he called “very supportive.”

“We received very little kickback from the community, which is not the case in all districts,” Cain said. “This year taught us what we can do. It was not fun. It’s stressful, it’s not easy. But we know what we can do.”

The following school district staff were honored; many were in attendance:

2020

Retirees: Terry Greene, Ted Place, Mary Rumpel and Keith Vinge.

35 years of service: Randy Brickner 30 years of service: Shelly Nelson and Mark Stoesz 25 years of service: Ava Maxwell, Michelle Mitchell and Lynette Winger.

20 years of service: Barry Cain, Jon Claesson, Pam Fedie, Lisa Groh, Kris Hines, Maggie Jungmann, ReAnna Magee, Tami Place and Daniel Unser.

15 years of service: Joshua Erlandson, Lee Langer, Yvette Minder, Drew Pechacek and Jessica Wiskow

2021

Retirees: Diane Albarado, Shelley Anderson, Jon Claesson, Jon Dodge, Ken Gulbranson, Pauline Laughnan, Sue Manore, Darrell Schuster and Steve Straub.

School Board: Dana Glor.

25 years of service: Lemoine Baker, Tammy Blodgett, Tim Conway, John Groh, Lisa Maier, Barb Murphy and Karen Webster.

20 years of service: Angie Bjork, Kris Deiss, Katie Foley, Lou Hager, Anne Pechacek, Dee Rasmussen, Deb Ristow and Jessica Sallander.

15 years of service: Karolyn Campbell, Ann Huppert and Alyssa Matzek.

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Ellsworth Community School District staff honored for 25 years of service on Monday, May 10 included (from left) teaching assistant Karen Webster, administrative assistant Tammy Blodgett, Ellsworth Middle School Assistant Principal Tim Conway, bus driver Lemoine Baker, teaching assistant Barbara Murphy and Ellsworth Elementary School Principal John Groh.

Family & consumer education teacher Alyssa Matzek (left) and library/media specialist Karolyn Campbell were honored for 15 years of service at Ellsworth Community School District at a recognition lunch on Monday, May 10. Not pictured: Ann Huppert.

Ellsworth Community School District honored those who retired in 2020 and those retiring in 2021 on Monday, May 10. Pictured are (front, from left): Sue Manore (third grade teacher), Mary Rumpel (science teacher, retired in 2020), Ken Gulbranson, Diane Albarado (second grade teacher), Pauline Laughnan (administrative assistant), Jon Dodge (Ellsworth Middle School principal); (back) Steve Straub (sixth grade social studies teacher) and Darrell Schuster.