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Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Apr 9, 2000 by Capital-Journal

IT'S YOUR BUSINESS

- The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education recognized several staff members as Distinguished Staff Award winners, which is the highest honor given by the district.

Distinguished staff are nominated and selected by their TPS peers. Criteria for the award include experience, evidence of effectiveness, community involvement, zeal in promoting the advancement of

education and interest in the profession. The recognized employees were:

- Rita M. Bates, paraprofessional, Avondale West Elementary.

- Brenda Brinker, office personnel, Topeka Education Center

- Melanie C. Brown, first year teacher-secondary, Jardine Middle School.

- Robert Hachiya, administrator, Landon Middle School.

- Marta Huey, elementary educator, Whitson Elementary.

- Cathy M. Kerns, high school/post high school educator, Kansas Teacher of the Year nominee-secondary.

- Angel R. Labrador, custodial, Holland Student Service Center.

- Jeanette M. Lewis, certified support staff, Chase Middle School.

- John Litfin, middle school educator, Jardine Middle School.

- Joyce P. Perkins, Kansas Teacher of the Year nominee- elementary, Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet.

- Marge Tremblay, food service, Jardine Middle School.

- Traci D. Wienk, first year teacher-elementary, Whitson Elementary.

- Larry F. Wilson, operations and maintenance, Service Center.

- Carol Dorr was recently recognized as Star of the Month for April at the Topeka Association for Retarded Citi- zens.

Dorr is receiving recognition for her perseverance. She views all obstacles as a challenge and a step closer to her goal.

- Ron and Julie Hein of Topeka recently won an award from the Kansas Mental Health Counselors Association for outstanding service to their profession.

The Heins have been lobbyists for the Mental Health Credentialing Coalition for the past five years. The MHCC's goal is to raise the level of professionalism and obtain parity in the credentialing of all master's level mental health practitioners in the state. During the past three years, the Kansas Legislature has passed three major bills regarding mental health providers, in part due to the efforts of the Heins.

Ron Hein, a lawyer and partner in Hein and Wier, has served in both houses of the Kansas Legislature. Julie Hein joined the Hein and Wier firm as a lobbyist in 1989 following a career in management and sales. The firm now serves as legislative counsel for contract lobbying clients.

- G. Steve Murray is UCB Films' safety employee of the month for April.

Murray is a slitter and relief lead operator in the finishing division of UCB Films, 6000 S.E. 2nd in Tecumseh. He is on the plant's safety committee and is the shift safety representative.

- Clint Idol of Henry's Coffeehouse in Lawrence will be among the six espresso baristas in North America who compete at the sixth annual Torani Barista Cup in San Francisco next month.

Jessica Kohl of PT's Caffe in Topeka was first runner-up in semifinal competition.

To qualify for the finals, participants had to pass a test of technical questions relating to espresso and its preparation; write an essay on what keeps customers coming back; and making a signature drink using Torani syrups.

Idol created an English toffee latte, which consists of espresso, steamed and frothed whole milk and Torani syrup.

Kohl created the White Buddha, a double-tall white chocolate and praline mocha.

Their drinks will be specials at their shops throughout April.

- Mary Lou Maritt was named star performer of the month for March at Dunhill Staffing Systems.

Maritt received the honor for her professionalism and commitment to the assignments she accepts. She has worked continuously since August for Topeka's top companies and always receives excellent reviews.

- John V. Spain has been recognized by the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters and the CPCU Society as qualifying for the Continuing Professional Development program.

The CPD program was adopted by the AICPCU and the CPCU Society to recognize CPCUs who participate in continuing education activities.

Spain is manager of association program development and regulatory compliance for Benchmark Insurance Co. in Overland Park. He is an alumnus of Washburn University and has the CPCU and Associate in State Filing professional designations. He and his family live in Tecumseh.

- Theresa Cote and Dr. H. Lynn Stevens were named the 2000 Office Professional of the Year and 2000 Administrator of the Year, respectively, by the Kansas Association of Educational Office Professionals.

Cote is the secretary to the assistant commissioner at the Kansas State Department of Education in Topeka. She has been a member of KAEOP since 1979 and is a member of the KSDE Association of Educational Office Professionals and the National Association of Educational Office Professionals, in which she is central area chairman.

Stevens has been the superintendent of the Haysville school district for 12 years. He has worked in various Kansas schools for 30 years and has worked with the Haysville community to develop a five- year strategic plan and pass a $22 million bond issue.