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STAR Awards 2025

A large group of people, dressed in colorful traditional attire, are gathered in front of a backdrop displaying the %22Star Awards 2025%22 logo.
A smiling woman wearing a floral-patterned dress and a lei around her neck is seated in front of a television or monitor displaying a scenic background.
A group of people, including a man and two young girls, are standing on a staircase, with other individuals visible in the background.
A bald man wearing a patterned shirt and a woman in a black shirt are smiling and interacting with two young girls on a staircase, with other people visible in the background.
Three women wearing colorful floral leis and smiling happily in what appears to be a festive or celebratory setting, with balloons visible in the background.
A group of people, some wearing leis, are gathered together in what appears to be a celebration or event, with balloons and other decorations visible in the background.
The image shows a smiling older couple, a woman in a black top and a man in a floral shirt, holding an award or trophy together in what appears to be a celebration or event setting with a crowd of people in the background.
The image shows a smiling couple sitting together, with the man wearing a patterned shirt and the woman wearing a floral blouse. They appear to be in a casual setting, possibly a cafe or restaurant, with a window and some artwork visible in the background.
A group of four people, two men and two women, are standing together and smiling in what appears to be a hallway or lobby area with stairs and glass walls in the background.
A group of people, some wearing colorful leis, are gathered together and posing for a photograph in what appears to be a hallway or office setting with white walls and balloons in the background.
The image shows a smiling older couple wearing leis, surrounded by a group of people in a festive setting.
A group of people, including a man wearing a floral lei and two women, are standing together in what appears to be a hallway or lobby with wooden stairs and railings in the background.
A smiling family of four, with a man and a woman in the center, and two young girls in the foreground, standing on a set of stairs against a backdrop of clothing displays.
A group of five people, including three women and two men, are standing together and smiling in what appears to be a hallway or office setting with colorful balloons in the background.
A smiling woman in a colorful floral dress stands in front of a backdrop of vibrant blue and yellow balloons.
A smiling woman wearing a floral dress and a denim jacket, holding an award or trophy, stands in what appears to be an indoor setting with other people in the background.
A smiling family of three, with a man and a woman wearing colorful leis, standing on outdoor steps with other people visible in the background.
A smiling man wearing a patterned shirt and a lei of purple flowers stands in a room with a blurred background.
A group of people, some wearing colorful leis, standing in a room with balloons and a window in the background.
A smiling woman in a floral dress is holding a young girl in a white dress in front of a metal fence.
A smiling woman wearing a denim jacket and a flower lei stands in a room with children in the background.
A group of people, some wearing colorful outfits, are gathered together in what appears to be a celebration or event, with balloons and chairs visible in the background.
The image shows two people, a man and a woman, holding awards and standing in front of a crowd of people at what appears to be a formal event or celebration.
The image shows two people, a man and a woman, standing together and holding awards or trophies. They appear to be at some kind of event or celebration, with a crowd of people visible in the background.
A smiling woman wearing a purple flower lei and holding a bouquet of flowers stands in front of a backdrop of colorful balloons.
A smiling woman wearing a denim jacket and a lei of purple flowers stands in a room with a television screen in the background.
A group of people, mostly dressed in black, are seated on stairs in front of a building with a sign that says %22Employees OTY 2025%22.
A group of people, some wearing colorful outfits, are gathered together in what appears to be a conference or event setting, with a backdrop of chairs and decorations.
The image shows a group of four people, two men and two women, standing together in what appears to be a hallway or lobby area with stairs visible in the background.
A smiling woman wearing a denim jacket and a lei of purple flowers stands in front of a wall with colorful balloons.
The image shows two people, a man and a woman, standing together and wearing leis. They appear to be in a casual setting, possibly an airport or similar public space, with other people visible in the background.
A smiling older man wearing a floral shirt and a lei stands in front of a backdrop of blue and gold balloons.
The image shows a smiling woman wearing a black cardigan, a gray and white patterned shirt, and a purple flower lei around her neck, standing in what appears to be an office or classroom setting with a large screen or television visible in the background.
A group of people, some wearing colorful outfits, standing together in what appears to be a hallway or indoor space with windows and chairs visible in the background.
The image shows a group of people standing in a hallway, with a staircase visible in the background. The individuals appear to be engaged in conversation or waiting for something.
A woman with long brown hair wearing a floral print dress and a fur-trimmed coat stands in a room decorated with balloons and artwork.
A middle-aged man in a floral-patterned shirt is playing a trumpet in front of a glass building with colorful balloons in the background.
The image shows a group of people gathered around a table filled with various food items, suggesting a social gathering or event taking place in a casual, open-plan office or workspace setting.
The image shows a smiling older woman wearing a floral-patterned blouse and a lei around her neck, standing in what appears to be an office or home setting with a television screen displaying a scenic landscape in the background.
A smiling older man wearing a floral Hawaiian shirt and a lei stands in front of a table with blue tablecloths and colorful balloons in the background.
A smiling woman wearing a colorful floral dress and a lei stands in a room with a television screen in the background.
The image shows a group of people gathered in a room, with a man in a blue suit standing in the foreground and a woman in a colorful dress standing next to him. The background features decorative balloons and other party-like elements, suggesting a celebratory event or gathering.
Four individuals, two men and two women, are standing together in what appears to be a professional or formal setting, with a window and greenery visible in the background.
A smiling woman wearing a denim jacket and a lei of purple flowers stands in a room with a television screen in the background.
The image shows a smiling older woman wearing a patterned blouse and a lei, standing in front of a colorful balloon display.
A man in a blue suit is standing in front of a group of people, some of whom are holding cameras, while colorful balloons and decorations are visible in the background.
A smiling woman wearing a denim jacket and a lei stands in front of colorful balloons in a room.
The image shows a smiling older man wearing a floral-patterned shirt and holding an award or trophy, surrounded by blue and gold balloons in what appears to be a formal event or celebration setting.
A family of four, consisting of a man, a woman, and two young girls, stands together in front of a colorful background with artwork and a blue table in the foreground.
A family of four, consisting of two adults and two children, stands together in front of a colorful floral backdrop in what appears to be a public setting.
A woman in a denim dress is holding a certificate while surrounded by blue and gold balloons in a celebration setting.
A smiling woman wearing a denim jacket and a lei stands in front of a backdrop of colorful balloons.
A smiling woman wearing a denim jacket and a flower lei stands in front of a TV displaying a tropical landscape, surrounded by blue and gold balloons.
The image shows a middle-aged man wearing a plaid shirt and jeans, holding a certificate and wearing a lei of purple flowers around his neck. The background appears to be an indoor setting with other people seated in the background.
A group of people are gathered around a table, engaged in conversation and enjoying a meal in what appears to be a modern, industrial-style setting with metal stairs and railings in the background.
A smiling woman wearing a red sweater and a purple flower lei, holding a small trophy or award, with a television screen visible in the background.
The image shows a family of four - a man and a woman with two young girls - standing in front of a colorful, abstract artwork on the wall, with a table in the foreground displaying various baked goods.
Three smiling women with blonde and dark hair, wearing red and purple tops, standing in a modern office setting with windows in the background.
A woman in a blue and gray outfit is holding a certificate in front of a backdrop of blue and gold balloons.
A family of four, consisting of a man, a woman, and two young girls, stands together in a room with colorful artwork and a blue table in the background.
Three smiling women with long, blonde hair are standing together in what appears to be a professional or office setting, with a plain white wall and some furniture visible in the background.
A smiling woman in a floral dress is embracing a young girl in a white shirt against a gray background.
Three smiling women with long blonde and dark hair, wearing colorful clothing, posing together in what appears to be an indoor office or workspace setting.
The image shows a man in a blue suit helping a woman in a white dress, surrounded by a group of people in a decorated room.
A smiling woman wearing a denim jacket and a flower lei stands in front of a backdrop of blue and gold balloons.
Two individuals, a man and a woman, are seated on a couch in a room decorated with colorful balloons and artwork on the walls.
Three smiling women with long blonde and dark hair, wearing colorful clothing, standing together in what appears to be an indoor setting with a white wall in the background.
A young man in a suit is playing a piano in what appears to be a lobby or entrance area, with another person standing nearby.
A smiling man wearing a garland of flowers stands in a room with other people in the background.
A smiling woman in a colorful floral dress stands in a room decorated with balloons, surrounded by other people.
A middle-aged man wearing a plaid shirt and jeans is holding an award and smiling, surrounded by a colorful floral lei in what appears to be an indoor setting.
The image shows four individuals, two men and two women, standing together in what appears to be a professional or business setting, with a window and greenery visible in the background.
Two people, a man and a woman, are standing together in what appears to be a lobby or entryway. The man is wearing a navy blue cardigan and the woman is wearing a navy blue blazer with a patterned scarf. The background includes wooden paneling and what looks like a reception desk or counter.
Two crystal awards with the text %22Anneke Bartsch%22 and %22Gillie Guerra%22 engraved on them, set against a blurred background of golden pears.
A smiling woman wearing a purple flower lei and a burgundy sweater, seated in front of a television screen displaying a tropical landscape.
Two people, a man and a woman, are standing together in what appears to be a hallway or lobby area. The man is wearing a navy blue jacket and the woman is wearing a navy blue blazer with a patterned scarf. The background includes wooden paneling and what looks like a staircase.
A group of people, including a smiling woman wearing a blue shirt, are gathered in what appears to be a casual setting, such as a workplace or event.
A woman with long dark hair is standing in front of a backdrop of colorful balloons, holding a bouquet of flowers and smiling at the camera.
A smiling man wearing a blue suit and a lei of purple flowers holds an award in his hands, with a landscape painting visible in the background.
The image shows a man in a suit standing at a podium, addressing a group of people seated in front of him. The background features colorful balloons and artwork on the walls, suggesting a celebratory or event-like setting.
A woman in a colorful floral dress stands at a podium, surrounded by blue and yellow balloons in the background.
A crowded office space with people gathered around a table, some standing and others seated, engaged in conversation and activities.
A group of people, some standing and some seated, gathered in a room with colorful balloons in the background, with one person standing at a podium addressing the group.
A smiling woman wearing a pink floral lei and glasses stands in a room decorated with blue and yellow balloons.
The image shows three individuals, two men and one woman, standing together in what appears to be a professional or business setting, with chairs and a carpeted floor visible in the background.
A man in a blue suit is standing in front of a group of people, some of whom are wearing colorful floral outfits, and the background features balloons and other decorations, suggesting a celebratory event.

Congratulations to our 2025 District STAR Award Honorees!

It was a joy to recognize the Spectacular, Terrific, Amazing, and Remarkable employees from across our schools and departments who go above and beyond each day. We proudly honored this year’s Teachers of the Year from each school site, along with our Classified Employees of the Year representing a range of essential roles and service areas throughout the district. From among this outstanding group, two individuals were selected for special district-wide recognition:

  • District Teacher of the Year: Tom Philips, Mayfair Middle/High School
  • District Classified Employee of the Year: Selina Lopez Padilla, Albert Baxter Elementary
Tom Phillips professional headshot

BUSD Teacher of the Year - Tom Philips

We are excited to announce that Mr. Tom Philips has been selected as the Teacher of the Year for the 2025-2026 school year!

Mr. Philips is a vital part of the Mayfair community, dedicating 36 years to the instrumental music program, developing superior bands and orchestras, creating the 605 All-Star Band for the Rose Parade, and organizing successful events that inspire thousands of students while instilling a lasting passion for music.

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Philips for his well-deserved recognition as the BUSD Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026! We are proud to have him as part of our educational community!

 

 

Headshot of Selina Lopez

BUSD Classified Employee of the Year - Selena Lopez Padilla

We are thrilled to announce that Ms. Selena Lopez Padilla has been named the Classified Employee of the Year for the 2025-2026 school year! 

Making everyday magical: a home within our halls and hope within our hearts. Her exceptional dedication, professionalism, and positive attitude have made her an indispensable part of our BUSD team. 

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Selina Lopez Padilla for her well-deserved recognition as the BUSD Classified Employee of the Year for 2025-2026! We are proud to have her in our district!

 

 

 

Teachers of the Year

  • Gilbert Guevara, Adult Transition

  • Ana Costa, Albert Baxter Elementary

  • Sarah Schuessler, Bellflower Middle High School
  • Kelly Sybesma, Craig Williams Elementary
  • Georgina Semaan, Ernie Pyle Elementary
  • Heather Greenwood, Foster Elementary
  • Cindy Weeks, Frank E. Woodruff Elementary
  • Laura Estrada, Intensive Learning Center
  • Anneke Bartschi, Las Flores Home Education Independent Study Academy
  • Helena Chong, Esther Lindstrom Elementary
  • Kathryn Guernsey, Ramona Elementary
  • Mark Johnson, Somerset High School
  • Elizabeth Eagan, Somerset High School CCEA Teacher of the Year
  • Amanda Waytas, Thomas Jefferson Elementary
  • Lindsay Hunt, Washington Elementary

Classified Employees of the Year

  • Stacey Abrego, Paraprofessional
  • Gladys Awelewa, Clerical Services
  • Dennis Coleman, Skilled Trades
  • Gary Gatpandan, Transportation Services
  • Woodie Grayson, Security Services
  • Luis Lopez, Technical Services
  • Martha Orme, Nutrition Services

If you'd like to relive some of the highlights — here are a few resources from the evening:

🎥 Watch the STAR Awards Ceremony
📘 View the Event Program
📸 See the Honoree Slides