The Sioux Falls School District hosted the 64th Annual Recognition Banquet: Constellations of Achievement April 15th at The Country Club of Sioux Falls. All retirees and 25 years of service employees were honored. The Education Foundation is one of the event sponsors (https://www.facebook.com/SiouxFallsSchoolDistrict).
During the ceremony, two individuals received a $500 cash prize, courtesy of Dakota Vascular. Brooke Mellegaard, first grade teacher at JFK Elementary and a 25-year employee, received the first award. Natalie Musser, reading and humanities teacher at Memorial Middle School, received the second $500 prize. Musser will retire in May.
“I am so thankful for community partners that understand and embrace education as the gateway to a future full of possibilities for our children,” said Mellegaard. “Their investment in time, talent, and resources is paramount to the success experienced in the classroom.”
This is the second year Dakota Vascular has sponsored this award. In an effort to support tenured staff and to highlight those who have dedicated a career to education, they sponsored two cash prizes. In 2024, Brian Himes and Jeff Dixen received the awards. Himes is a custodian at Garfield Elementary, and Dixen retired in May of last year. He taught in the gifted education program at Eugene Field A+, John Harris, and Cleveland Elementary.
“Twenty-five years is an incredible investment in any career, and we want to celebrate those who have spent that time making a difference in the Sioux Falls School District,” said Allison Struck, executive director of the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation. “We also want to recognize our retirees, many of whom have spent more than 25 years in the district. We know they have seen many changes throughout their career, and we appreciate their dedication and commitment to ensuring student success. We appreciate Dakota Vascular’s generous gift.”
The winners were drawn at random and announced live at the event.
