Saint Peter Public Schools hosted its annual Staff Recognition reception on Wednesday, April 29, in the SPHS Commons area. During this time, SPPS announced the 2025-26 Distinguished Service Award winner and recognized this year’s retirees along with those who reached 25 years of service with the district.
This year’s Distinguished Service Award winner was long-time Saint Peter Public School’s Cultural Liaison Maripsa Romero, who was presented her award by Saint Peter High School Principal Annette Engeldinger. Superintendent Dr. Jon Graff was also on hand to welcome those in attendance at the reception as well as present awards to the retirees and 25-years of service honorees.
“It’s not often that one person can change the experience of an entire community, but this year’s Distinguished Service award honors someone who has done exactly that,” Engeldinger said in her introduction of Romero. “When our district first sought to better serve our Spanish-speaking families, we didn’t just need a program—we needed a person. And in Maripsa, we found exactly the right one. From day one, she worked to ensure that every family felt seen, heard, and valued. She made what can be a complicated system feel human.
“Maripsa has a rare gift—the ability to balance deep professionalism with genuine love for the people she serves. She can move seamlessly from translating important information…to somehow knowing exactly what a family needs before they even ask.”
In an effort to emphasize the importance of "excellence" in our school district, a "Distinguished Service Award" was established during the 2010-2011 school year. Candidates are nominated by peers for exemplifying "excellence" in their job and for their commitment to the students and staff at SPPS.
This year’s retiree is Cheryl Weisgerber (District Office), while those who retired last summer who were also honored. Those retirees include Erin Domras (North), Stella Meixner (North), Carol Glass (South), and Nikki McClintock (SPHS). They each received ceremonial school bells.
This year’s staff members receiving the 25-Years of Service ceremonial clock were Joyce Harvey (South), Erin Hinton (North), Candi Moelter (North), Paulette Topel (SPHS), and Anita Tuomala (SPMS).
The Saint Peter High School Food Service staff provided food and beverages for the reception. Special thanks to Emily Craig and her staff for a job well done!
(SHOWN ABOVE) SPPS staff members who were recognized at Wednesday’s (April 29th) special reception at the SPMS Commons, included: front row (l to r), Anita Tuomala (25 years), Maripsa Romero (Distinguished Service Award), Cheryl Weisgerber (retiree); back row, Paulette Topel (25 years), Joyce Harvey (25 years), Candi Moelter (25 years), and Erin Hinton (25 years).
SPPS Distinguished Service Award Recipients
2010-11 - Teresa Saum
2011-12 - Julie Frey
2012-13 - Neil Hanson
2013-14 - Ytive Prafke & Nancy Kruger
2014-15 - Mary Powers
2015-16 - Gayle Derner
2016-17 - Jim Kruger
2017-18 - Joanne Smith & Bob Ploog
2018-19 - Mary Behrends
2019-20 - Helen Hager & Warren Peterson
2020-21 - Scott Hermanson
2021-22 - Keith Hanson
2022-23 - Bill Stuewe
2023-24 - Liz Leibfried
2024-25 - Dr. Jeff Olson & Nick Rozsa
2025-26 - Maripsa Romero
Below are some more photo highlights from the Staff Recognition event on April 29th at the SPHS Commons.
