Stephanie Rosa receiving the award from Superintendent Teresa Glavin.
The Walton Central School District held its annual scholastic achievement awards ceremony Tuesday, honoring those for the 2025-26 school year.
The Board of Education also gave out its annual Distinguished Service Award. Superintendent Teresa Glavin introduced winner Stephanie Rosa, who retired last year after nearly 30 years of teaching science at Walton.
Many amazing teachers have walked through the halls at the Walton Central School District.
Our Distinguished Service Award winner isn’t just amazing – she’s exceptional. For nearly 30 years, she has been an integral part of the district and, as one colleague noted, “She has shown up for Walton’s students every single day and has challenged them to be more than they thought they could be.”
Let that sink in. She’s shown up every day for nearly 30 years and not just stood in the classroom and read out of a textbook. She challenged students each day to be more than they thought they could be. She also brought fun, intrigue, and excitement to the classroom, giving students the opportunity to see things differently and understand the science in life.
When hired at Walton, then Principal Ellen O’Donnell wrote “I believe (she) will be an asset to the science program and make a fine addition to the science staff at the high school.”
Truer words may never have been written regarding a hire.
It is with great honor that we present the Distinguished Service Award for 2025-26 to Mrs. Stephanie Rosa.
While we can look back at Ms. O’Donnell’s words and look at the overall scope of Stephanie’s work at Walton, it would be hard to think that anybody could have predicted the impact she would truly have on our students and district. Stephanie wasn’t just a science teacher – she was an educator who made students see what they could do and accomplish.
Colleague Mikayla Fowler noted “she consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence in science education, inspiring students to not only learn, but to think critically, ask questions, and explore the world around them with curiosity and confidence.”
It wasn’t rare to see Stephanie in the hallway, utilizing it as a learning space. I’m sure many people here can think about the long sheets of brown paper getting covered with what might look like blood splatter as part of her popular forensics class. Her ability to bring hands-on activities to her instruction made the learning environment that much better. Students appreciated her style, and she was selected numerous times by seniors as a recipient of the Scholar Recognition Award.
Stephanie has taken on leadership roles throughout her career, always having the best interest of students and her colleagues in mind. Unselfish and giving, she led with compassion – and passion.
Said colleague Marcia Albrecht: “Stephanie has a positive impact on every student who walks through her classroom door. They respect her. They admire her. Her influence extends far beyond her classroom/ She has mentored new teachers and chaperoned more trips than most people would ever volunteer for – from weeks in a foreign country to amusement parks to even a trip to New York City to look at dead bodies.”
Multiple words seemed to repeat from those who nominated and wrote about her for this award – professionalism, caring, and leader. She was also a friend to many with her warm smile and easy-going personality.
Her contributions weren’t just inside the classroom. Stephanie was involved in the school community as a whole. She dedicated herself to the Walton Central School District and served in many capacities, including the National Honor Society co-advisor, speech and debate co-advisor, the senior class advisor, and started the travel club – attending every trip since. She also served her colleagues as a union representative.
To wrap up her impact, one needs to only look at former students who are now teachers. Chrissy Evans, an elementary teacher at Walton, had Stephanie as a teacher. She wrote “Having the privilege of knowing Stephanie both as a former student and now a colleague, I have witnessed firsthand the lasting impact she has on those around her. She leaves an indelible mark on her students, motivating them to work hard, believe in themselves, and strives for excellence. Stephanie is a passionate advocate for doing what is best for students and colleagues alike, while modeling and expecting the highest standards of professionalism.”
She is missed, but her impact will be felt on the district for many years to come.
It’s the 30th year the award has been given. The award is given to somebody who has gone above and beyond in service to the Walton Central School District.
Following the award, many Walton students were honored for academic achievement for the 2025-26 school year. Students were recognized in all departments, including science, English/language, math, social studies, business, agriculture/technology, health/home and career/physical education, art, and music. A record number of Superintendent Awards were also handed out.
For more photos from this event, please visit our Facebook page.
Walton CSD BOE Distinguished Service Award recipients
2025-26: Stephanie Rosa
2024-25: Theresa Bolton
2023-24: Raymond Bartlett
2022-23: Barbara Geidel
2021-22: Jami Aubin
2020-21: Lori Cucciare
2019-20: Rick Robinson
2018-19: Corey Phraner
2017-18: Larry Light
2016-17: Robert Lang
2015-16: Dorothy Elmore
2014-15: Greg Graupman
2013-14: Rosie Greene
2012-13: Patrick Covell
2011-12: Tina Miner-James
2010-11: Dawn Northrup
2009-10: Frank Ward
2008-09: Jim Hoover
2007-08: George Shackelton
2006-07: Janet and Carl Gregory
2005-06: Andy Jackson
2004-05: Raymond Nichols
2003-04: Dr. George F. Mack
2002-03: Joanna Meade and Christina Hewitt
2001-02: Beverly Wright
2000-01: Peggy and George Bolton
1999-2000: Ron Galley
1998-99: Florence McNeil
1997-98: Lovey Kopetz
1996-97: Diane Meredith
Superintendent’s Award
Paisley Boecke
Pasquale Anastasio
Robert Church
Jacob Black
Ashton Eilertsen
Keygan Epps
Abel Northrup
Avarie Terry
Peter White
Gryphon Avolio
Ella Beers
Emma Beers
Paisley Darling
Taylor Gransbury
Bentley Hadden
Layla Sav
Paisley Scofield
Ivy Vesterfelt
Evangeline Wagner
Dexter DaCunha
Tinsley Endress
Tanner Neale
Daphne Schmidt
Hayden Schmidt
Miranda Schmidt
Lena Storrer
Heidi Tucek
Harper Walley
Elijah Williams
Rhylie Hill
Ava Hoover
Callan Neale
Noah Scofield
Connor Stanton
Averie Williams
Jayden Wright
Maia Fassler
Isis Guervaz
Julianna Roy
Sabrina Avolio
Anika Fassler
Eilis Greene
Esther Salvia
Lauren Sloan-Boice
Avelyn White
Kennedy Williams
Annalia Yetto
Izabella Armstrong
Ethan Hall
Maisy Rhinehart
Samuel Smith
Math
Ella Beers
Evangeline Wagner
Lena Storrer
Eli Dunbar
Reed LaTourette
Josilynn Covell
Maisy Rhinehart
Jaedyn Roloson
Kennedy Williams (2)
Anika Fassler
Corbin Walley
Liam Kane
Noah Scofield
Finnley Kane
Julianna Roy
Colton Walley
Paige LeBarge
Lauren Sloan-Boice
Maia Fassler
Kai Storrer
Marcus Marano
Science
Ella Beers
Gryphon Avolio
Miranda Schmidt
Tanner Neale
Ava Hoover
Landon Colfer
Julianna Roy
Isis Guervaz
Esther Salvia
Lauren Sloan-Boice
Avelyn White
Anika Fassler
Maisy Rhinehart
Lila Trimbell
Jiaye He
Izabella Armstrong
Kai Storrer
Dylan Stanton
Mayla Evans
Liam Kane
Social Studies
Ella Beers
Gryphon Avolio
Miranda Schmidt
Lena Storrer
Connor Stanton
Benjamin Dougherty
Ryan Somers
Landon Darcy
Kennedy Williams
Lauren Sloan Boice (2)
Maisy Rhinehart (2)
Brynlee Hunt
Parker Cash
Trip Taylor
English/Language
Ella Beers (2)
Paisley Scofield
Johnathan Taggart
Martie Foster
Gabriel Neumann
Miranda Schmidt
Cailet Cordner-Ryan
Ava Hoover
Callan Neale
Lena Storrer (2)
Averie Williams (2)
Isis Guervaz
Julianna Roy (3)
Landon Darcy
Rilynn Daye
Kennedy Williams
Liam Kane
Maisy Rhinehart (2)
Jayden Campbell
Heidi Tucek
Noah Scofield
Roxie Cetta
Hailey Hulse
Malena Moore
Brynlee Hunt
Agriculture/Technology
Karlee McClenon
Lauren Sloan-Boice
Corbin Walley (2)
Ava Merwin
Kennedy Williams (2)
Aubrie Green
Izabella Armstrong
Noah Scofield (2)
Anthony Salvia (2)
Ella Beers
Emma Beers
Heidi Tucek
Hayden Schmidt
Brystal Hunt
Madalynn Gregory
Tessa Spickerman
Martie Foster
Nolan Evans
Timothy Clinton
Eli Kingsbury
Braxton Wood
Xager Wickham
Dylan Stanton
Bentley Wickham
Health/Physical Education/Home and Careers
Heidi Tucek
Tanner Neale
Esther Salvia
Matias Navia (2)
Paisley Scofield
Lena Storrer
Madison Hoffman
Isis Guervaz
Mackenzie Roach
Harley Mullineaux
Brantley Wood
Trent Neville
Connor Stanton
Lane Nichols
Xager Wickham
Samuel Smith
Ivy Vesterfelt
Leyla Sav
Korbyn McDonald
Noah Scofield
Parker Cash
Dylan Stanton
Noah Howland
Evelyn Brooker
Elias Bayne
Art
Kinley Fairchild
Hannah Walley
Daphne Schmidt
Roran McLachlan
Miranda Schmidt
Addisyn Merwin
Madalynn Gregory
Finnley Kane
Maia Fassler
Logan Viscio
Annalia Yetto
Mayla Evans
Alivia Conklin
Lillian Conrow
Aimee Furgeson
Savannah Morales
Nolan Evans
Josue Pumero Avila
Music
Paisley Scofield
Ivy Vesterfelt
Donovan Stanton
Finn VanTyle
Lena Storrer (2)
Heidi Tucek
Kai Storrer (2)
Esther Salvia
Ava Hoover
Benjamin Dougherty
Rilynn Daye
Malena Moore
Taylor Gransbury
Leyla Sav
Anthony Salvia
Liam Kane