Nineteen Laramie County School District 1 staff members were recognized at the LCSD1 Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, May 6 for being nominated for the Educational Support Person of the Year (ESPY) award.

These individuals were nominated by their fellow staff, their students or other community members for displaying a level of professionalism and dedication worthy of this award. During recent surprise celebrations, two ESPY awards were given. A Student Support award was given to a staff member who works with students as their primary duty. A District Support award was given to a staff member who supports LCSD1 by other means.

Amanda Singhas, a library paraeducator at Pioneer Park Elementary, was selected as the winner of the ESPY Student Support award. Singhas has been employed with the district for 19 years. She was nominated by three people who described her as a dedicated individual who is constantly striving to grow as an educator. 

“Amanda’s clear love of learning, teaching and technology come through in all that she does, and through her warmth and politeness, she shares this love with our kids,” one nomination form states. “She goes above and beyond in every imaginable way and strengthens our school community just by being a part of it.”

The District Support award was given to Ramon Andrade, assistant head custodian at Carey Junior High. Andrade has been employed with the district for 35 years. Andrade received three nominations representing multiple students that described him as dependable, resourceful and always positive. 

“He is someone that we all look forward to seeing on a daily basis and he does his job with grace and positivity,” one nomination form states. A student is quoted as saying, “Really, he is just the best and a very nice and deserving guy. Everyone loves Ramon at Carey Junior High.”

Singhas and Andrade were selected out of five finalists, which also included Matthew Bromagen, a library paraeducator at Afflerbach Elementary; Rhianna Herrera, a special needs paraeducator at Anderson Elementary; and Jennifer Culp, an LCSD1 graphics technician.

Also nominated were Cindy Brown, Jenilee Cossitt, Hosanna Espinoza, Ashley Lawrence, Kristin Layman, Merilee Renison, Kevin Sadler, Mark Sanders, Nicole Schmidt, Brenda Wrede and Linda Yetter.

LCSD1 thanks all of these nominees for their fantastic work.