OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee County School Board held its Annual Night of the Stars Banquet at the beginning of November and at their meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, they wanted to recognize some of the businesses and community members whose hard work or donations helped make that event possible. The Night of the Stars Banquet is the event in which Teacher of the Year, Employee of the Year, Principal of the Year and other honors are given.

OKEECHOBEE — Honors Society, FFA and JROTC students recognized for their help at the Annual Night of the Stars Banquet with Superintendent Dylan Tedders (right).

Photo by Annie Wills/Lake Okeechobee News

Students in the National Honors Society and FFA were recognized for helping serve food and clear tables at the banquet. OHS JROTC Color Guard students were recognized for presenting the Presentation of Colors and Pledge of Allegiance.

Platinum sponsors of the event Gilbert’s Family of Companies and MIDFLORIDA Credit Union were both recognized. In total Gilbert’s Family of Companies has donated $26,000 to teachers and employees of the district who were nominated. MIDFLORIDA gave the Teacher of the Year a $5,000 check and the Employee of the Year a $2,500 check.

OKEECHOBEE — Representing Gilbert's Family of Companies Christa Luna (left) and Renee Juarez (center) with Superintendent Dylan Tedders (right). Gilbert's Family of Companies was recognized at the Dec. 9 school board meeting for their donations to nominees of the board's annual awards banquet.

OKEECHOBEE — Superintendent Dylan Tedders (left) with Christine Lurz (center) of Curriculum Associates and Brian Melear (right) of HCA Raulerson. Both companies were recognized the Dec. 9 school board meeting as Gold Sponsors of the board's annual awards banquet.

OKEECHOBEE — Dylan Tedders (left) with Jennifer Koukos of Glades Electric (center) and school board member Malissa Morgan (right). Morgan and Glades Electric were recognized at the Dec. 9 school board meeting as Silver Sponsors of the board's annual awards banquet.

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The Gold Sponsors recognized were Curriculum Associates, Proctor Construction Co., and HCA Raulerson.

The Silver Sponsors recognized were Glades Electric, A Child’s World Daycare, FPL, Morganti Group, School Board Member Malissa Morgan, Gretchen Robertson Insurance Agency and More2Life Ministries where the event was held.

OKEECHOBEE — Members of the selection committee for the Annual Night of the Stars Banquet with Superintendent Dylan Tedders (right), were recognized at the Dec. 9 meeting of the Okeechobee School Board.

Photo by Annie Wills/Lake Okeechobee News

The selection committee whose responsibility it was to choose the winners from each category was also recognized.

There was a special recognition given out that is normally given out at the banquet but Superintendent Tedders explained that they did not have the name in time for the banquet. This recognition was for Student Volunteer of the Year and it went to Noemy Cornejo. Noemy said she does most of her volunteer work at Our Village Okeechobee.

OKEECHOBEE — Noemy Cornejo (left) was recognized at the 2025-2026 Student Volunteer of the Year at the Dec. 9 meeting of the Okeechobee School Board. Superintendent Dylan Tedders (right) presented her certificate.

Photo by Annie Wills/Lake Okeechobee News

There were other recognitions given at the meeting that did not pertain to the banquet.

OKEECHOBEE — Reitree Patricia Bolan was recognized at the Dec. 9 meeting of the Okeechobee County School Board for her 32 years of service. Superintendent Dylan Tedders (right) presented her with her Apple.

Photo by Annie Wills/Lake Okeechobee News

Two retirees were recognized. Bus driver Donna Campbell worked for Okeechobee Schools for nine years. Patricia Bolan is also retiring after 32 years at Seminole Elementary as everything from a teacher to a bilingual specialist for kindergarten and second grade.