Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Hancock Public Schools was the district host of the 26th annual CCASB Education Awards ceremony on Wednesday. Hancock School Board President Michael Lancour, who is also CCASB president, was the master of ceremonies.

HOUGHTON — The Copper Country Association of School Boards (CCASB) held its 26th annual Education Awards Dinner Wednesday in the Michigan Technological University Memorial Union Ballroom, with approximately 175 students, parents, school personnel and local school board members in attendance. Representatives from 12 school districts presented honors at the banquet.

The Education Awards recognize outstanding students, staff and community members in the local public schools. Awards highlight leadership, service and excellence across an array of categories, emphasizing quality education and community engagement in Houghton and Baraga counties.

Hancock Public Schools was the host district. Hancock School Board President Michael Lancour, who is also the CCASB president, was the master of ceremonies.

Awards were presented in the following categories:

• Student Impact;

• Student Leadership;

• Student Creativity;

• Outstanding Education Employee;

• School Service Award and;

• Copper Country Education Leadership.

The Student Impact Award is presented to a student demonstrating outstanding creativity, leadership, or character, and who has initiated improvement in school or community, demonstrated unique appoaches to problem solving, made contributions that have significantly enhance the learing environment or advanced the mission of education. Seven students received this award:

Jaycee Kunishige, Adams Township Schools; Diana Torola, Baraga Area Schools; Grady Olson, CCISD Career Tech; Vince Heinonen, Copper Island Academy; Amy Szieber, Houghton-Portage Township Schools; Keegan Davidson, L’Anse Area Schools; and Live Turnquist, Stanton Township Schools.

The Copper Country Education Leadership Award is presented to one individual or a team who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment and effort in support of public K-12 education in the Copper Country. The award recipient should be someone who has made a difference for Copper Country students and schools, and who has, by work or deed and example, promoted and strengthened public education. The award was given to Career and Technical Education Programs. In his acceptance, CCISD Superintendent Jim Rautiola said when the award was presented at the ISD, his initial response was it could not be accepted.

“Some of my fellow superintendents let it be known that yes, this is our award, this is your award,” he said.

Rautiola said the CCISD has been entrusted as the fiscal agent for career and technical education in Copper County.

“But we’re serving all of your students and entire area,” he said. “Ultimately, everybody sitting in this room, and everybody sitting outside of this room in the Copper Country, this is your award.”

The CCASB is a regional organization in the Keweenaw Peninsula that supports local school boards, provides advocacy, and hosts an annual awards banquet to honor students, educators, and staff. It serves as a key regional link to the Michigan Association of School Boards and is closely associated with the Copper Country Intermediate School District.