You have heard of the OPIE (Outstanding Person in Education) and the FOE (Friend of Education) for years! Literally! For the Marion Schools Education Association, the first OPIE recognition was in the 1985-1986 school year honoring Carol Swiler. For the Marion Educational Support Personnel, it was Terry Ashmore in the 2004-2005 school year. In 1990-1991, the first Friend of Education for Marion was Elena Sherman. .
This year, honors of OPIE went to Mrs. Tammi Ballew-Hoffman, middle school math teacher, and Mrs. Kelly Lodholtz, paraprofessional. The Friend of Education is Mrs. Sarah Genereaux-Maddox, director of the Marion District Library. Below you can read of the accomplishments and dedication of these women. Congratulations to each of you, and thank you for all you do for our schools and community here in Marion!
Since this year marks 40 years of recognizing OUTSTANDING people in our education system here in Marion, please enjoy some nostalgia and gratitude of the past recipients of these honors. Some of these amazing people have moved on in life, some are still roaming the halls of our school buildings and our sidewalks of town helping make Marion a better place.
Marion EA: 1985-86 Carol Swiler, 1986-87 Pamela Bell, 1987-88 Carol Wright, 1988-89 Gloria Goetsch, 1989-90 Doris Brumels, 1990-91 Homer A. Filley, 1991-92 Elva Huckabay, 1992-93 Kay Rooks, 1993-94 Brenda J. Wilson, 1994-95 Kristine J. VanAgtmael, 1995-96 Patricia Marie Vollmar, 1996-97 Joseph D. Tolgo, 1997-98 Tammy Ladd, 1998-99 Richard Sutton, 1999-00 Michelle Henderson, 2000-01 Bonnie Fox, 2001-02 Michael Marr, 2002-03 Mark Johnson, 2003-04 Heather Deighton, 2004-05 Barbie Edwards, 2005-06 Anthony Baldwin, Jr., 2006-07 Stephen Henderson, 2008-09 Linnea Stifler, 2009-10 Marcella Bennett, 2010-11 Deborah LaLone, 2011-12 Anne Kohl, 2012-13 Elizabeth Fisher, 2013-14 Jason Keeler, 2014-15 Nicole McCrimmon, 2015-16 Danyel Prielipp, 2016-17 Sandra Pluger, 2017-18 Karen Flemming, 2018-19 Ronald James Schmidt, 2020-21 Jill Quist, 2021-22 Michelle Grimm, 2022-23 Joanie Whittaker, 2023-24 Janet Mort, 2024-25 Mary Bell, 2025-2026 Tammi Ballew-Hoffman
Marion ESP: 2004-05 Terry Ashmore, 2006-07 Pamela Hopkins, 2007-08 Linda Raymond, 2008-09 Cindy Jenema, 2009-10 Marjourie Clark, 2010-11 Taffie Wiggins, 2011-12 Goldie Krassow, 2014-15 Jennifer Krchmar, 2015-16 Lisa Neuman, 2020-21 Grace Robbins, 2022-23 Misty Britton, 2025-2026 Kelly Lodhotlz
Friend of Education: 1990-91 Elena Sherman, 1992-93 Bill & Grace Ross, 1993-94 Judy Brauninger, 1995-96 Colleen Metiva, 1996-97 Judith Anne Webster, 1997-98 Karon Krause, 1998-99 Doug & Lori Mitchell, 1999-00 Jim & Sandy Blevins, 2000-01 Andrew & Lynn Salinas, 2001-02 Greg & Sandy Merrifield, 2002-03 Scott & Rose Ballew, 2003-04 Alicia Michell, 2004-05 George L. Johnson, 2006-07 Marion Elem. PTO, 2007-08 Roberta Williams, 2008-09 Robert Friend, 2009-10 Lorna Jean Miller, 2010-11 Ed Kirkby, 2011-12 Tammy Heitkamp, 2012-13, 2013-14 Grub-2-Go, 2015-16 Brian Polk, 2016-17 Wanita Kampmueller, 2017-18 Diann Nowland, 2018-19 Wendell Schwab II, 2020-21 VFW Auxiliary Post 6015, 2021-22 Farm Bureau-Dan Lee Agency, 2022-23 Ryan Hoffman, 2023-24 Jessica Eising, 2024-25 Marion Athletic Boosters, 2025-2026 Sarah Genereaux-Maddox
