Murray Education Foundation honors teachers and volunteers at 2025 Pinnacle Awards

Doug Perry, emcee for the evening, opened the Murray Education Foundation Pinnacle Awards by thanking volunteers and sponsors and praising the district’s students and staff.

Jennifer Covington, superintendent of the Murray City School District, introduced guest speaker Kristen Andress and helped present awards to this year’s honorees. The ceremony recognized a group of teachers, school staff and volunteers selected by the foundation and featured performances by student musicians and theater students.

The foundation and district presented awards to classroom teachers and school staff including Emily Cox (third-grade teacher), Gloria Herrera (counseling office secretary at Hillcrest Junior High), Laura Leishman (elementary teacher), Lara Slade (Riverview Junior High teacher), Rich White (art teacher at Murray High School) and other recipients named during the program. Presenters and students described honorees’ classroom practices, long service and community contributions; students gave short tributes about how those educators had impacted their learning.

Guest speaker Kristen Andress, described in the program as a Utah community activator, said her work “started in Murray” and praised the district’s educators for “showing up” for students and families. In remarks during the event she said, “what I see in Murray is that day in and day out, teachers show up,” and credited local relationships and school leadership for enabling statewide policy pilots she has supported.

Presenters representing sponsors and local businesses took turns introducing recipients. Aaron Metcalfe of Hogan & Associates Construction and Jared Kennitzer of Naylor Wentworth Lend Architects were among sponsors who presented awards and praised honorees’ service to students. Several students performed during the program: a Murray High School ensemble performed a selection from Guys and Dolls, and Riverview Junior High students performed a number from High School Musical.

Recipients who spoke described long careers and everyday classroom work. Emily Cox reflected on 25 years in teaching and the importance of resilience and relationships; Gloria Herrera said she strives to make the counseling office warm and welcoming; Rich White spoke about working with students on art projects and thanked the Murray Education Foundation for classroom grant support. Several student speakers recalled classroom moments and projects that shaped their learning.

Following the program, recipients were asked to collect photographs and gift baskets provided by the foundation. Organizers closed the evening by thanking attendees, volunteers and sponsors for supporting the district’s educators and students.