Laramie County School District 1 announced the winners of this year’s Educational Support Person of the Year (ESPY) awards. Bridget Whiteman, a paraeducator at Dildine Elementary, received the Student Support award and Lucas Finch, the assistive technology facilitator for the Special Services Department, received the District Support award.

The winners, along with 43 other LCSD1 staff members, were nominated by their fellow staff, students, or other community members for displaying a level of professionalism and dedication worthy of this award. The ESPY award has two divisions: the Student Support award is given to a staff member who works with students as their primary duty, while the District Support award is given to a staff member who supports LCSD1 by other means.

Whiteman was selected as the Student Support Person of the Year for her dedication to student success at Dildine. According to her nomination form, Whiteman demonstrates initiative, reliability and genuine care. 

“Bridget makes an outstanding contribution to students, staff and the school community through her dedication, professionalism and compassion,” her nomination forms states. “Her natural ability to build strong rapport with both students and staff fosters a welcoming, inclusive environment that positively impacts our entire campus culture.” 

The District Support award was given to Finch for his dedication to empowering students. According to his nomination form, Finch is innovative, forward-thinking, hardworking and genuinely invested in the success of LCSD1 students. 

“Lucas’ unique skill sets around navigating, problem-solving and developing technology resources are unsurpassable,” the form states. “He is an asset to the special education program.”

Whiteman and Finch were selected from five finalists, which included Tracy Peden, a secretary at Arp Elementary; Jill Hammack, a paraeducator at Freedom Elementary; and Amanda Wolff, a paraeducator at Sunrise Elementary.

Also nominated were Suzie Armitage, Meagan Baker, Laura Berry, Sydney Brennecke, Brenda Brown, Daisy Burt, Holly Byram, Caley Cassidy, Jackie Chowning, Suzanne Clark, Bryant Collins, Rheanna Dowdell, Jocelyn Eskam, April Eslick, Erin Fairweather, Christine Fitzgerald, Andrea Garcia, Renee Garner, Bree Githens, Julie Grandpre, Amber Hamlin, Kaleb Hansen, Kristyn Herrera, Michelle Lambert, Elizabeth Lang, Alissa Luethy, Christine Lyons, David Marks, Brittany Marlow, Jennifer Myers, Dennis Pacheco, Madori Presley, Kacie Pugel, Ashley Santora, Jesse Sherman, Melissa Sommers, Danielle Tabor, Amber Tomlinson, Lindsey Valdez and Erin Zahm. 

LCSD1 thanks all of these nominees for their fantastic work. The LCSD1 Board of Trustees will recognize the ESPY recipients and nominees during their May 4 meeting.