Baseball fans at Sutter Health Park cheered during a pre-game ceremony yesterday as the Sacramento River Cats paid tribute to nine employees who had been selected as Sacramento County Classified School Employees of the Year for 2020 and 2021. The honorees were selected based on their work performance, leadership, dedication, and involvement with their schools and communities.
Following the on-field ceremony, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union hosted a reception for honorees and their guests that featured lunch and gifts. “We are grateful to have the opportunity to recognize Sacramento County’s classified school employees’ unsung heroes who are integral to the successful operation and management of our local school districts,” said SchoolsFirst President and CEO, Bill Cheney in a prepared statement.
We can’t thank our classified employees enough because they are such an important part of the education experience,” Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon told the honorees during the reception. “Our schools could not function without our classified employees and the contributions that they make every day.”
SchoolsFirst Sr. Vice President Steve Langley also helped recognize Rhima Blenkhorn, who had been announced as one of nine 2021 State Employees of the Year. Up to two of the state winners will be eligible to be nominated for the national Recognizing Inspiring School Employees Award.
2021 California Classified School Employee of the Year
(Food and Nutrition Services Category)
- Rhima Blenkhorn (Food and Nutrition Services)
Twin Rivers Unified School District
2021 Sacramento County Classified School Employees of the Year
- Rhima Blenkhorn, Twin Rivers Unified School District
Food and Nutrition Services Category - Jamie Manalo, Twin Rivers Unified School District
Clerical and Administrative Services Category - Robert Mohoff, Natomas Unified School District
Maintenance Services Category - Diana Rose, Twin Rivers Unified School District
Paraprofessional Category
2020 Sacramento County Classified School Employees of the Year
- Anette Conklin, Twin Rivers Unified School District
Food and Nutrition Services Category - Juanamaria de Anda, Natomas Unified School District
Office and Technical Category - Dario Gonzalez, Twin Rivers Unified School District
Paraprofessional Category - David Harrell, San Juan Unified School District
Maintenance Services Category - Cari Wernicke, Sacramento County Office of Education
Support Services Category