On Friday, Nov. 7, the Okeechobee County School Board held its annual Night of the Stars Banquet at...
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![OKEECHOBEE — Lauren Shockley is Okeechobee School District's Teacher of the Year for the 2025-2026 school year! [Photo by Annie Wills/Lake Okeechobee News]](/uploads/original/20251110-182345-21d-school banquet 1 TOY.jpg)
OKEECHOBEE — On Friday, Nov. 7, the Okeechobee County School Board held the annual Night of the Stars Banquet at More2Life Ministries to recognize the teachers, administrative staff, and all school related employees who have went above and beyond the call of duty in their professions for the Okeechobee County School District.
Serving as Master of Ceremonies, Superintendent of Schools Dylan Tedders, began the evening by recognizing Gilbert Family of Companies, the event’s Platinum Sponsors, Tedders said, “The Gilbert Family of Companies has been has been a long time supporter of our employee recognition program. Each year they generously contribute $26,000 to honor every school and department’s School Related Employee of the Year and Teacher of the Year.” Tedders also extended a special thank you to all of the local businesses and organizations whose contributions go far beyond the night’s events.
Before the remainder the awards were given out dinner and dessert was served to everyone in attendance by FFA Student Volunteers. The meal, which was build-your-own Mexican style tacos, was catered by the Okeechobee Brahman FFA Chapter.
After the OHS JROTC Color Guard did the Presentation of Colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance, Okeechobee High School Class of 2026 graduate Albert “AJ” Davis gave a beautiful a cappella performance of the National Anthem.
The first group recognized with awards were those school employees with 20 years and 30 years of service with Okeechobee County Schools. The bigger awards followed.
Managerial Supervisor of the Year went to Nancy Boyer who works at the District Office in Human Resources.
The finalists for 2026 District Administrator of the Year were Director of Human Resources Ana Rhoden and Coordinator of Career & Technical Education Daryl Roehm with the award going to Ana Rhoden.
The nominees for 2026 Assistant Principal of the Year were Julianne Gagliardo of Central Elementary and Ashley Kidd of the Okeechobee High School Freshman Campus and the award went to Ashley Kidd.
The 2026 Principal of the Year finalists were Dr. Pat McCoy from Yearling Middle School and Vicki Goggans from the Okeechobee High School Freshman Campus and the award went to Dr. Pat McCoy.
The nominees for the Green Apple Award, also known as New Teacher of the Year Award, were Katlyn Thomas (Central Elementary), Destany Murphy (Everglades Elementary), Summer McGlamory (North Elementary), Gian Pineda (Seminole Elementary), Makayla Shaw (South Elementary), Matthew Strickland (Osceola Middle School), Lindsay Yates (Yearling Middle School), Sarah Harrington (Okeechobee Achievement Academy) and Nicolas Johnson (OHS). The Green Apple Award was awarded to Lindsay Yates of Yearling Middle School.
Prior to this event, each school had already named its own Teacher of the Year and School Related Employee of the Year from among their staff for the 2025-2026 school year. From among them, one is chosen to represent the entire district.
The nominees for the 2026 School Related Employee of the Year were Jackie Anuez (Central Elementary), Miranda Entry (District Office), Destiny Suarez (Everglades Elementary), Leticia Cabrera (North Elementary), Kevin Ellis (Seminole Elementary), Alissa Hipkins (South Elementary), Jamari Corde (Osceola Middle School), Michael Barrera-Lomeli (Yearling Middle School), Brittany Newton (Okeechobee Achievement Academy), Sheyla Valazquez (Okeechobee High School Freshman Campus), Taylor Anuez (Okeechobee High School), John Radditz (Operations Department) and Pearl Barney (Transportation Department).
The award for 2026 District School Related Employee of the Year went to Destiny Suarez of Everglades Elementary School.
The nominees for the 2026 District Teacher of the Year were Karli Stark (Central Elementary), Steffanie Immerfall (District Office - Human Resources, Recruitment & Retention), Karen Carrier (Everglades Elementary), Savannah Catron (North Elementary), Cristen Coleman (Seminole Elementary), Lauren Shockley (South Elementary), Carlos Zerquera (Osceola Middle School), Jhamcarlos Escota Reyes (Yearling Middle School), Jeffrey Beigle (Okeechobee Achievement Academy), Cynthia DeVane (Okeechobee High School Freshman Campus) and Amanda Meisel (Okeechobee High School).
Before the winner was announced, last year’s recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award, Jennifer Fulwider of Everglades Elementary, was invited to the stage to speak. “Teaching is more than a profession,” she began. “It’s a calling.” She spoke about what it felt like to be named Teacher of the Year for 2025 as well stating, “At first, I was overwhelmed. Not by the title but by the immense responsibility it carries. To stand as a voice for so many dedicated, passionate, and creative educators was both humbling and empowering. Every time I spoke on behalf of Okeechobee County I carried with me the spirit of all of our classrooms, our students and the heartbeat of our incredible community.”
Finally, the award for 2026 District Teacher of the Year was awarded to Lauren Shockley of South Elementary.
At the close of the awards ceremony Destiny Suarez was presented with a check for $2,500 and Lauren Shockley was presented with a check for $5,000 from MID Florida Credit Union.
