Ann Bremer White Hawks Award

Award Criteria

Nominees for the Ann Bremer White Hawks Award should:

Be involved in service that makes a meaningful contribution to Westonka students, an individual school or program, or the district overall, either over a period of time or in a single, significant way

Demonstrate an on-going commitment to supporting our schools and community

Model personal and professional integrity

Help to create a positive and respectful environment in our schools and community

To nominate a group or individual, complete the nomination form and automatically transmit it by clicking "Submit." If you have any questions or problems with the form, contact Emily Labuz, labuze@westonka.k12.mn.us or (952) 491-8007.

The awards will be presented at a special recognition ceremony in May, along with the Westonka Teacher of the Year Award.

Submit a Nomination

Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 24 for the 2023-24 Ann Bremer White Hawks Award. The award recognizes some of the many dedicated volunteers who offer exceptional service to our school community. Any Westonka staff member, parent or community member may nominate candidates for the award.

Submit a Nomination

History

The Westonka School District has implemented a special award to recognize some of the many dedicated volunteers who offer exceptional service to our school community. The district each year presents up to two or three awards, titled the Ann Bremer White Hawks Award, to recognize outstanding service and commitment to Westonka students and the district. The first awards were presented in 2015.

The award is named in honor of Ann Bremer, a former Westonka School Board member whose record of service as a district parent, community member and on the school board continues to characterize the contributions made by the award nominees. Bremer served on the Westonka School Board from 2004 until her death in 2017.

The community members recognized are leaders in positively impacting the lives and experiences of students and their families and advancing the mission and vision of the school district. Any Westonka staff member, parent or community member may nominate candidates for the award. Nominees may be individuals, district volunteer organizations, financial contributors or business partners. Current Westonka staff and students and previous winners are not eligible.

Past Award Winners:

2023 - Dr. Michael Schwartz

2022 - Tracy Hvezda-Lehtola

2021 - The City of Mound and the City of Orono

2020 - Bob Haddorff, John Legeros and Tirisha Dirks

2019 - John and Judy Lewman and Lynne Robertson

2018 - Jeff Fish and Scott Brown

2017 - Jennifer Velarde, Robert Moulton and Howard Leopold

2016 - Scott Bjorlin and Sarah Reinhardt

2015 - Sharon Thaler, Bill LaTour and Randy Lee

Westonka News

2021 Ann Bremer White Hawks Award Winners Named

A selection committee made up of Westonka School Board and staff/community members has chosen Tracy Hvezda-Lehtola, the City of Mound and the City of Orono as the 2021 recipients of the Ann Bremer White Hawks Award. The purpose of the annual community award is to recognize outstanding service and commitment to Westonka students and the district.

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District Names 2020 Ann Bremer White Hawks Award Winners

A committee made up of Westonka School Board and staff/community members selected Bob Haddorff, John Legeros and Tirisha Dirks as the 2020 recipients of the Ann Bremer White Hawks Award. The purpose of the annual community award is to recognize exceptional service to Westonka Schools.

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Westonka Names Teacher of the Year, Honors District Volunteers

During an evening ceremony May 1 at the Lafayette Club, Grandview Middle School teacher Dr. Deb Castner was named 2019 Westonka Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Also recognized were this year's building teachers of the year, as well as the recipients of the Ann Bremer White Hawks Award for community service, Lynne Robertson and John and Judy Lewman.

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District Names Teacher of the Year, Presents Community Service Awards

A crowd of Westonka staff, school board members and community supporters gathered in the Mound Westonka High School Little Theater on May 4 to see Shirley Hills Primary School teacher Jennifer Naslund be named 2018 Westonka Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Also recognized at the morning ceremony were this year's building teachers of the year, as well as the recipients of the Ann Bremer White Hawks Award for community service, Jeff Fish and Scott Brown.

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District Presents Ann Bremer White Hawks Awards, Names Teacher of the Year

In front of a crowd of Westonka staff, school board members and community members gathered in the Mound Westonka High School Little Theater on May 5, MWHS English teacher Corey Bulman was named 2017 Westonka Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Also recognized at the morning ceremony were this year's building teachers of the year, as well as the recipients of the Ann Bremer White Hawks Award for community service, Robert Moulton, Jennifer Velarde and Howard Leopold.

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