An nonprofit governed by a public body of Pima and Santa Cruz County, and the City of Tucson
Join us in honoring those who empower our communities to learn, serve and thrive.
6:00 | Doors Open & Check-In
6:30 | Welcome and Introductions
6:55 | Break & Dinner Service
7:05 | Recognition of Student Service
7:35 | Presentation of Awards
8:15 | Closing Remarks
Each ticket includes refreshments and a three course meal including salad, your choice of entree, and a dessert.
Individual Purchase
$35 | Students
$60 | Teachers/Counselors
$80 | General Admissions
Group Purchase
$300 | 4 Seats at Table of 8
$375 | 5 Seats at Table of 10
$750 | 1 Table - 10 Seats
$1,500 | 2 Tables - 20 Seats
Since our founding, the Crystal Apple Awards recognized individuals of all ages, programs of all sizes, and organizations of all statures, for notable service to the benefit of early childhood, elementary, middle, high school, and/or post-secondary levels. The awards were presented each year at an annual celebration. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this celebration was discontinued and the awards were presented annually to recipients in their place of learning or work. This year, the Commission is proud to host the reprisal of a celebration of the 36th annual awards under An Evening to Empower Ed on May 1, 2026. A complete list of past awardees, viewable here.
Apple Awards are awarded to people, programs and agencies of notable service to the educational community as a place to learn and work
Please view individual descriptions per award title within the nomination form. The eight title types include:
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Superintendent of the Year
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Administrator of the Year
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Counselor of the Year
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Teacher of the Year
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Youth of the Year
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June Webb-Vignery Education Advocate of the Year
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Outstanding Service to Community (up to 2 awards)
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Outstanding Student-Serving Financial Institution
Nominees must be located within Pima County and have submit a nomination by March 10, 2025 to be considered.
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Nominees must be located within Pima County and have submit a nomination by March 3, 2025 to be considered. One recipient will be selected from a pool of nominees per award title. Each finalist will be determined by a committee of the Commission. Finalists will be notified in-person in their place of learning or work. All nine recipients will be collectively recognized on May 9, 2025, alongside other award categories.
Lifetime Education Advocate: Jackie Nichols, Billy Lane Lauffer Middle
Superintendent of the Year: John Carruth, Vail School District
Administrator of the Year: Matt Donaldson, Empire High
Counselor of the Year: Garrett Wilton, Esperero Canyon Middle
Teacher of the Year: Jeanne Wages, Andrada Polytechnic High
Youth of the Year: Nevaeh Larson, Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary
Outstanding Service to Community: Youth On Their Own
Outstanding Service to Community: Don Harp, Pima Community College
Outstanding Service to Community: Justin Curry, United Way
Outstanding Service to Community: Treasures 4 Teachers of Tucson
Outstanding Student-Serving Financial Institution: Vantage West Credit Union
College Catalyst: Sunnyside High School
Exemplary Educators are individuals who demonstrate exemplary service to learners in their academic and professional journeys
Honors nine outstanding educators from each K-12 public
school district in the Tucson metro area, and one from the greater community, for their contributions to success, excellence, and mentorship of learners.
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Amphitheater Unified School District
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Catalina Foothills Unified School District
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Flowing Wells Unified School District
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Marana Unified School District
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Sahuarita Unified School District
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Sunnyside Unified School District
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Tanque Verde Unified School District
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Tucson Unified School District
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Vail Unified School District
Nominees must be located within Pima County and have submit a nomination by March 10, 2025 to be considered.
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Nominees must be located within Pima County and have submit a nomination by March 3, 2025 to be considered. Each finalist will be determined by a committee of the Commission. Finalists will be notified in their place of learning or work. All ten recipients will be collectively recognized on May 9, 2025, alongside other award categories.
Amphi: Ethnee Taylor
Catalina Foothills: Lyndee Jones
Marana: Angela Gonzales
Flowing Wells: Alberto Urquidez
JTED: Michelle Barcanic
Sahuarita: Vanessa Sawyer
Sunnyside: Allison Labenberg
Tucson: Monique Peralta
Vail: Lorena Fonseca
Greater Community: Michael Olguin