NILES, Ohio – Educators in the Mahoning Valley were honored during an event Tuesday at the Eastwood Event Centre.

The Mahoning Valley Educators of the Year Honors Dinner, which spotlights and celebrates the work teachers across the Valley do to educate and inspire young people, was created by Josh MacMillan, who has taught visual arts at Hubbard High School for more than 20 years.

During Tuesday’s event, 33 local educators were recognized, and they were joined by about 300 supporters from their districts in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties, as well as members of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Youngstown State University, the Youngstown State University Foundation and other guests. YSU President Bill Johnson was the guest speaker.

“The journey to have this evening has been long. It has taken so many to help make it happen,” MacMillan said. “… I hope this event shows how appreciated our Valley’s educators are for all they do, not only what people see in the classroom, but for everything outside of it as well. I feel fortunate to have had so many people make this idea turn into a reality so all these wonderful individuals are able to get the recognition they deserve.”

Five of the 33 educators were given a special award during the event. They are:

  • Young Educator of the Year: Ethan Gross, Newton Falls Exempted Village School District.
  • Golden Educator of the Year: Leann Laure, Sebring Local School District.
  • Elementary Educator of the Year: Kelli Komlanc, Hubbard Exempted Village School District.
  • Secondary Educator of the Year: Staci Raab, Ursuline Schools.
  • Educator of the Year: Abbie Millard, West Branch Local Schools.

The other educators, selected by their districts, who were recognized during the event are:

  • Carli Cramer, Austintown.
  • Evelyn Stanton, Boardman.
  • Ryan Marino, Brookfield.
  • Sabrina Eaton, Canfield.
  • Jennifer Policy, Cardinal Mooney.
  • Carolyn Brown, Champion.
  • Mandy Moore, Columbiana.
  • Sandy Walker, East Palestine.
  • Gina Kingston, Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio.
  • Jena Martin, Girard.
  • Lorraine Yacovone, Howland.
  • Kelly Williams, Jackson-Milton.
  • Regina Helmick, LaBrae.
  • Jennifer McAllister, Lakeview.
  • Randy Rodik, Leetonia.
  • Mindy Moyer, Lordstown.
  • Donna Greer, Mahoning County Career & Technical Center.
  • Gaye Breegle, Niles.
  • Rick DiNunzio, Poland.
  • Diane Krumpak, South Range.
  • Cheri Louttit, Springfield.
  • Irene Rivera, Struthers.
  • Meghan Mock, Trumbull Career & Technical Center.
  • Amy White, United.
  • Brooke DeJulia, Warren John F. Kennedy.
  • Megan Ghizzoni, Weathersfield.
  • Laura Baird, Western Reserve.
  • Melissa Smith, Youngstown Community School.

Pictured at top: Top row, from left, are Ethan Gross and Leann Laure. Bottom row, from left, are Kelli Komlanc, Staci Raab and Abbie Millard.