For over two decades, students in RE-1 Valley School District with special needs have had Kathy Owen, who is currently a special education teacher at Caliche Elementary, supporting them and helping them grow. This is Owen’s 25th year in RE-1. She didn’t always want to be a teacher, in fact, she’s done many things besides that. Then one day her daughter, who was a paraprofessional at Stevens Elementary, mentioned they had a position open. Owen loves kids, so she thought, why not? “Kathy Owen has worked as a teacher’s assistant in special education for over 20 years. Kathy is dedicated to the st ..read more

Kristy Schenider, custodian at Merino Elementary, works diligently to keep her school shining. (Courtesy photo) It’s an often overlooked position but custodians like Kristy Schneider at Merino Elementary play an important role in the school community. “Kristy is irreplaceable. She is dedicated to the students and staff and works harder than anyone I know. Kristy filled a position that had been, in my opinion, neglected for a while, and has absolutely blown our expectations away by being faithful to do what’s required of her while exceeding our expectations,” said her Crystal Apple Award nomina ..read more

It started as something to simply fill a few hours in the day but now Lorie Gosser can’t imagine leaving. Gosser is a teacher for RE-1 Valley School District’s Six12Online program. She got involved with the program about three years ago after a friend told her the district was looking for someone to work part-time. The hours were perfect for the retiree who was just looking for something to do for a few hours in the morning until her grandchildren got out of school. “Every year she gets better and better,” said her Crystal Apple Award nominator Lucas Scott. “She individually works with every s ..read more

From her students to fellow teachers, in her decades of teaching, Sandra Campbell has impacted countless lives. Campbell, who is a significant support needs teacher at Ayres Elementary, is only in her third year at the school but she has been teaching since 1984. “Sandra Campbell has been an excellent addition these last few years. She is making great strides and gains with the students she works with. She is firm and consistent, but loving towards all of them. The way Sandra interacts with her students has made me a better teacher in my own classroom,” her Crystal Apple Award nominator, Kacy ..read more

For little ones and their families who are just entering the school system for the first time, it can be a bit daunting. Fortunately for students at Hagen Early Education Center, interim child find coordinator Mindy Meier is there to help ensure they get off to the right start. Meier always knew she wanted to work with children and she especially loves the preschool age because they’re durable and easy to teach, plus “they keep you on your toes.” She has been at Hagen for five years now. Meier previously worked for RE-1 Valley School District in the ‘90s before spending 25 years in Sidney, Neb ..read more

For over two decades, Shane Browning has touched the lives of young students in RE-1 Valley School District as an elementary teacher. Browning started his teaching career in Montana, fourth grade for seven years and sixth grade for one year. In 2002, he and his wife, who is from this area, moved to Sterling and he began teaching in RE-1, where he is now a fourth grade teacher at Campbell Elementary. “There probably are very few hours that you will not find Shane Browning at Campbell Elementary working at some capacity. Along with his normal hours at Campbell, Shane spends numerous after-hours ..read more

Television writer Meena Harper has a gift: she can tell how people are going to die. Which would be an impressive gift if anyone bothered to believe her. Instead this gift had left her isolated from her classmates in her youth and scorned by lovers in her adulthood, because after all, no one wants to know how they’re going to die. But, with someone with as much of a hero complex as Meena, she can’t just NOT try to prevent a death. Still, she wouldn’t mind being able to go on a date without feeling inclined to tell her date over dinner that he needs to watch his cholesterol intake or he’ll die ..read more

Marybeth Skerjanec didn’t set out to become a teacher; in fact, she fought against it. But now, as she prepares to retire following a transition year in 2024-25, after having touched countless lives, she knows it’s something she was always meant to do. Skerjanec has been at Sterling Middle School for 17 years. She is currently an eighth grade language arts teacher but has also taught math, science, PE and even a typewriting class long before the age of laptops and computers. “I never wanted to teach. It’s a calling from God and I tried to avoid it as much as I could,” she said. One of nine chi ..read more

Saturday, April 27 Family Resource Center Super Healthy Heroes Walk and 2 Car Giveaway: 10:30 a.m., Columbine Park (south pavilion) 1212 S. 3rd Ave. Free family events kicks off new Monthly Walking Club in partnership with Banner Health. Three levels: 1,000 steps for beginners, 1 mile and 3 mile routes. Free lunch provided for participants. Community resource fair, free COID supplies. Caliche High School Baseball Vs. Haxtun: 11 a.m., school field. Heritage Center Dance Group: 6:30 p.m., Heritage Center. Cost $8. Everyone welcome. Sunday, April 28 Zion Congregational Church Soup Kitchen: 11:30 ..read more

Dear Amy: My brother and I are both in our 70s. We’ve only spoken once in the last three years. We lived miles apart for much of our lives, but still kept in touch. After our father passed, our mother sold their home. My father had previously told my brother that when they sold the house, he wanted to give a certain amount of money to each of us. Our mother did not honor our father’s wishes, but did give us each a smaller amount. Years later she deposited a good sum of money into his account but asked him not to tell me. (I wouldn’t have cared at all.) Mom later called the bank and asked for t ..read more