Bartlesville Public School's 30th annual Classified Person of the Year reception was held on Thursday, April 22nd to recognize outstanding support employees.

The reception was held in the Bartlesville High School Commons and featured prize drawings, refreshments, service pins, recognition of the site Classified Persons of the Year, and the announcement of the district honoree.

Bus driver Joseph Dubron (pictured above) was named the 2021 District Classified Person of the Year. As part of the honor, Dubron received the monetary Grace LaVerne Lowe Memorial Award. It honors the memory of the mother of former Bartlesville Board of Education President Barry W. Lowe.

Part of the fun at the event for the 23rd year was the "Horse Patoot" award, which bus driver Ron Turner handed to Dubron.

Below is the list of the 2021 Classified Persons of the Year for each site. All are pictured below as well:

• Bartlesville High School - Sarah Rowe, Homeless Education Coordinator, Adult Education Guidance
• Central Middle School - Margaret Niko, Special Education Paraprofessional
• Child Nutrition - Frankie Ryan, Inventory
• Education Service Center - Wade Kester, Print Shop
• Hoover Elementary School - Allison Schroeder, AIMS Assistant
• Jane Phillips Elementary School - Shelly McSparin, Financial Secretary
• Madison Middle School - Rhonda Williams, Attendance Administrative Assistant
• Ranch Heights Elementary School - Raquel Aramburo, Pre-Kindergarten Assistant
• Richard Kane Elementary School - Sam Starr, Attendance Secretary
• Technology Services - Kevin Kyrouac, Core Software & Server Room
• Transportation - Joseph Dubron, Bus Driver
• Wayside Elementary School - Tamra Davis, Teacher Assistant
• Wilson Elementary School - Anna Lisa Alvarado, Special Education Paraprofessional

The 2020 event had be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The event was made possible by the organization efforts of the Bartlesville Education Classified Personnel Organization (BECPO) and the support of several local businesses as well as the Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation.

Photos courtesy of Michael Wray and Bartlesville Public Schools