Each school year brings remarkable successes and achievements, and the 2024-25 year was no exception. As part of the annual tradition, Solomon team members and community members had the opportunity to nominate candidates for the year end awards before casting their votes. This celebration of excellence culminated on May 23rd, 2025, when Solomon USD 393 team members gathered for the annual banquet. The event was filled with anticipation, as attendees looked forward to honoring outstanding individuals within Gorilla Nation and recognizing the dedicated members who have served at Solomon USD 393
YEARS OF SERVICE RECOGNITION
First Year @ USD 393: Maddison Beauchamp, ReAnna Dunlap, Kayla Voss, Trish Mather, Meghan Norris, Tina Rollins, Robert Glenn, Shannon Dreyer, Rachel Livingston
ELC: Claire Luce, Kara Ecton
5 Years: Madeline Cline, Jodi Howard
10 Year Plaque: Mary Herring, Regan Rizzo
25 Year Plaque: Sue Nelson
Now, we are proud to announce this year’s honorees—those whose dedication, resilience, and passion have left a lasting impact. The winners of Teacher of the Year, Staff Member of the Year, and Friend of Gorilla Nation truly embody the spirit of excellence, and below, we share a glimpse into why they were nominated.
TEACHER OF THE YEAR– Madeline Cline
Maddie has had to face a lot of adversity this year and has taken it all on and rocked it all. Maddy has had to change and adapt throughout the school year and did it all with a smile on her face. She had a challenging group of students and situations but she continued to show up for them everyday all while keeping her classroom rigor high. Maddy is a rockstar! Madeline Cline is an exceptional teacher whose classroom structure is unparalleled. She consistently prioritizes the best interests of her students and demonstrates a remarkable commitment to their success. When a staff member departed, Madeline willingly stepped up to take on the entire 4th grade, showcasing her dedication and flexibility. Solomon is truly fortunate to have her as part of the team!
STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR– Justin Coup
Justin Coup has been a remarkable presence in our school for 11 years. As a visionary leader, he has made countless contributions that have significantly improved our community and school. His unwavering dedication to the public school system is truly inspiring. Over time, I've come to appreciate that every decision he makes is rooted in a genuine belief in what is best for each individual child. We are fortunate to have such a passionate advocate for education among us.
FRIEND OF GORILLA NATION– Scott Heller and Guy Arnold
GUY ARNOLD (previously recognized in 2018)
He is always at our beck-and-call with anything we need and is so quick to respond. He is such a friendly face that the kids love to see and even brightens up my day as well. It's great seeing him in the building more this year, and I think it helped people realize how much he was truly missed when he wasn't here last year.
SCOTT HELLER
Scott helped make the bowling team more successful.Scott is always there whenever a helping hand is needed. He takes such pride in the Gorilla Nation and being a part of it. He truly cares about each and everyone he comes in contact with and is always going above and beyond when needed.It's abundant how much Scott cares about the student athletes on the bowling team. His passion for the sport help motivate our students. I'm thankful that we have a coach who can lead our students toward athletic success.
Congratulations to all the honorees, and thank you to every staff member, student, and community supporter who continues to make Gorilla Nation a thriving and inspiring environment. Here’s to another year of excellence ahead!
