More than 500 education professionals from across Northern Kentucky came together this week to celebrate the Excellence in Education Award Honorees for 2026.
The annual event, hosted by the Northern Kentucky Education Council, recognizes outstanding students, exceptional teachers, dedicated administrators and staff, and valued community and business partners, as well as leaders who have committed their lives to serving the region.
The keynote speaker was Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, a former educator, who highlighted the passion, perseverance, and the deep belief of educators, that every student deserves the chance to succeed.
The Excellence in Education celebration represents more than a single event, it reflects the impactful work taking place every day in the region’s public schools. The honored individuals exemplify this commitment, inspiring the community and reinforcing the idea that, by working together, there is no limit to what students can accomplish.
The 2026 NKYEC Excellence in Education Award honorees are:
Student Leadership
• Reagan Culbertson – Owen County HS
• Emily Hall – Dayton HS
• Jennifer Hamilton – Ryle HS
• Kanak Sahni – Ignite Institute
• Madison Utter – Grant County HS
• Liza Zengel – Highlands HS
Career and Technical Academic All-Star
• Barret Becker – Highlands HS
• Emma Bolen – Simon Kenton HS
• Gabriel Gross – Holmes HS
• Justin Hamilton – Walton-Verona HS
• Solomon Pangallo – Beechwood HS
• Emma Scherff – Ignite Institute
• Samuel Stevens – Ryle HS
Against All Odds
• Adrianna Deboard – Campbell County HS
• Kayleana Florence – Pendleton County HS
• Colton Hurley – Owen County HS
• Payton Smith – Ludlow HS
• David Zeitz – Carroll County HS
Extraordinary Service
• Lindsay Chappell – Florence Elementary School
• Stacy Dickerson – Southgate Public School
• Hannah Sizemore – Dixie Heights HS
• Kerry Tacket – Gallatin County Upper and Lower Elementary Schools
• Dr. Kim Visse – Crossroads Elementary School
• Donna Watts – Newport HS
One-to-One Distinguished Service Award
• Rachael Crawford – distinguished school liaison, Glenn O’Swing Elementary School
• Angela Gabbard – distinguished school administrator, Lindeman Elementary
• Dave Schroeder – distnguished community partner, Kenton County Public Library
Golden Apple – Elementary
• Rebecca Arnold – Southgate Public School
• George Canfield – Steeplechase Elementary School
• Sandra Howard – Grant’s Lick Elementary School
• Dagny Lucas – Norther Elementary School
• Kari Mathews – Stephens Elementary School
• Amanda McKinley – Walton-Verona Early Childhood Center
• Ruth Palmer – Walton-Verona Intermediate School
• Ashley Reusch – Mann Elementary School
• Megan Samuel – Southgate Public School
• Andy Sherlock – Hillard Collins Elementary School
• Brooke Solzsmon – Grandview Elementary School
• Sheena Walters – Dry Ridge Elementary School
• Marie Zimmerman – Johnson Elementary School
Golden Apple – Middle School
• Tonya Cummins – Phillip Sharp MS
• Stacy Shaw – Bartlett Educational Center
• Kelly Simmons – Carroll County MS
• Sally Spencer – Twenhofel MS
Golden Apple – High School
• Kelsey Gognat – Owen County HS
• Kristen Goodpaster – Ludlow HS
• Nate Green – Newport HS
• Melissa Hall – Randall Cooper HS
• Amanda Hartman – Walton-Verona HS
• Claire LaNicce – Highlands HS
• Lori Miller – Dayton HS
• Katelyn Phillips – Campbell County HS
• Jessica Poe – Ignite Institute
• April Saylor – Williamstown HS
• Wayne Scudder – Gallatin County Schools
• Amie Taphouse – Beechwood HS
A.D. Albright Outstanding Administrator of the Year
• Heather Dragan – Lincoln Elementary School
• Robert J. Storer Visionary Leader Award
• Dr. Jaesook Gilbert, Northern Kentucky University
• Doug Penix, Gateway Community and Technical College
The Spirit of Determination Award
• Carlos Goitia
• Bonnie Kinmon
Business Engagement of the Year
• Allied Rail Corp. – Andrew Wartman
Community Partner of the Year
• Grant County Education Foundation – Carolyn Thomas Thompson
Education Legacy Awards
• Matt Baker – superintendent, Walton-Verona Independent School District
• Alvin Garrison – superintendent, Covington Independent School District
• Chad Molley – superintendent, Erlanger-Elsmere Independent School District
• Shelli Wilson – superintendent, Campbell County School District
Friend of Education
• Kevin Costello – executive director, Boone County Planning and Zoning
Champion for Education
• Carri Chandler – president, St. Elizabeth Healthcare Foundation
Lifetime Achievement Award
• Kathy Reutman Bryant – executive director of student and community services, Boone County School District
• Connie Pohlgeers – director of school improvement, Campbell County School District
St. Elizabeth Healthcare Foundation
• Emeline Apke – Beechwood High School
• Leah Beck – Dayton High School/NKU
• Catherine Bromley – Beechwood High School
• Ava Chisenhall – Dixie Heights High School
• Megan Fedor – Notre Dame Academy
• Linda France – Notre Dame Academy
• Sydney Goins – Pendleton County High School
• Lacie Gross – Carroll County High School
• Ella Houston – East Central High School
• Isobel Java – Boone County High School
• Marisa Kent – Notre Dame Academy
• Sofia Kodhi – Campbell County High School
• Josiah McCain – Williamstown Junior/Senior High School
• Colton McClure – South Dearborn High School
• Ava Myers – Lawrenceburg High School
• Sophia Nordman – Beechwood High School
• Arabella Prinzivalli – Dixie Heights High School
• Tryniti Reed – Milan High School
• Kayla Roell – Milan High School
• Rylee Thomas – Boone County High School
• Hope Tignor – Dixie Heights High School
• Angelina Vera – Ignite Institute
• Ryan Weghorn – Campbell County High School
• Nora Wilke – Beechwood High School
• Braxton Young – Covington Latin School
• Eva Zanabria – Switzerland County High School
Northern Kentucky Education Council