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SALT LAKE CITY — Melissa Anderson was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and was told by doctors she would never walk.
She proved them wrong.
Anderson has been using the aid of leg braces to volunteer two days a week at Ferron Elementary School in Emery County for the past 16 years. She was nominated by her class of 21 sixth-graders and their teacher, Vicki Nielsen, and was among those selected as winners of the Huntsman Awards for Excellence in Education.
"I go on the field trips with them and take stuff to them on each holiday. I just love them, and they all seem to enjoy working with me. Its been a lot of fun," Anderson said of her time with her students.
According to Nielson, Anderson spends countless hours putting together holiday treat bags, souvenirs from places she has traveled, and homemade embossed thank you cards for "her kids."
Eleven educators from across the state received Huntsman Awards for Excellence in Education on Friday at the Little America Hotel. Awards were given to one administrator and two teachers from elementary, middle and high schools, one volunteer, and one special education teacher.
Jon M. Huntsman and his wife, Karen, joined 2016’s award-winning educators and previous winners at a dinner and awards ceremony. Winners of the 24th annual Huntsman Awards for Excellence in Education received a $10,000 cash prize
"Most of us end up with no more than five or six people who remember us," said Huntsman, whose father and grandparents were public school teachers. "Teachers have thousands of people who remember them for the rest of their lives."
The 2016 Huntsman Awards for Excellence in Education winners were:
- Vincent Ardizzone, principal, James Madison Elementary
- Cathy Johnson, sixth-grade teacher, Dilworth Elementary
- Courtney Thomas, fourth-grade teacher, South Summit Elementary
- Nick Harris, principal, Orion Junior High
- Julie Hooker, English/journalism and leadership teacher, Treasure Mountain Junior High
- David Palmer, band and Spanish teacher, Cedar Middle School
- Aaron Hadfield, American problems teacher, Brighton High
- Curt Hanks, vice principal, Sky View High
- Dennis Hummer, chemistry teacher, Cottonwood High
- Dorothy Johnson, special education teacher, Manti Elementary
- Melissa Anderson, volunteer, Ferron Elementary
