Emily Opheen Named January Winner of Westonka Way Award

Westonka High School head cook Emily Opheen has been named the January 2026 recipient of the Westonka Way Award. The monthly award celebrates non-licensed Westonka Public Schools staff members who go above and beyond for families, students and other staff—because that's the Westonka Way!

Opheen has been a member of the Westonka Foodies team at the high school since 2022. A nominator wrote: “[Opheen] is a great leader in the kitchen and has great multitasking skills. Nothing frazzles her! She has taught my coworkers and me so much!”

The nominator also noted that Opheen has “a special connection” with students at WHS and is often found chatting with them at their lunch table. “She connects with the students and staff, knows them by name and often takes requests of what they would like to see as an option in the cafeteria,” the nominator added.

On Wednesday morning, Superintendent Kevin Borg was joined by WHS Principal Jolene Herfel, Assistant Principal Marty Fischer, Food and Nutrition Services Director Laura Wichmann and Assistant Deb Bailey to present Opheen with a special plaque and gift certificate for the Al & Alma’s Signature Sunday Brunch Cruise on Lake Minnetonka.

The Westonka Way Award will be presented monthly throughout the school year. To nominate a non-licensed employee for the award, please use the Google Form.