The "Wizard" has officially opened the gates, and the results are in! Today, the Murray City School District was filled with cheers, tears of joy, and thunderous applause as the 2026 Pinnacle Awards for Excellence in Education winners were surprised in their classrooms and offices.

Surrounded by unsuspecting students, proud colleagues, and family members who managed to keep the secret, this year’s honorees were recognized for embodying our theme: "Together We’re Unlimited."

A Record-Breaking Year for Recognition

This year, the Murray Education Foundation (MEF) Selection Committee was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from our community. We received 180 nominations, each one a touching testament to the dedication found within our schools. Reading through them made one thing clear: every single nominee is a hero in their own right. While we wish we could hand out 180 statuettes, these stories remind us why Murray is such a truly special place for students to learn and teachers to thrive.

Meet Your 2026 Pinnacle Award Winners

These eight individuals have truly changed our district "for good." Please join us in congratulating:

• Lisa Pearson, Parkside Elementary, Licensed Teacher
• Angie Thompson, McMillan Elementary, Licensed Teacher
• Becky Powell, Longview Elementary, Licensed Teacher
• Amy Knox, Murray High School, Licensed Teacher
• Vangee Watts, Viewmont Elementary, Teacher
• Cris Westerfield, District Office/Hillcrest Jr. High, Education Support Professional
• Denise McDougal, Horizon Elementary, Volunteer
• Earl Kauffman, Riverview Jr. High, Administrator

Sponsor the Magic: Help Us Honor Our Stars

The Pinnacle Awards Gala is Murray’s highest celebration of educational achievement, and we invite our local business leaders and community members to be a part of the magic. By becoming a sponsor, you help provide the $1,000 cash awards, the signature bronze statuettes, and the gala dinner that makes our winners feel like the stars they are.

It is a beautiful way to show our educators and staff that the entire community stands behind them. If you or your organization would like to support these local legends, we would love to have you.

Get Involved: To learn more about sponsorship levels or to register as a sponsor for the upcoming March gala, please visit our information page here.

The Grand Finale

The celebration is just beginning! Each recipient will be officially honored this March at a special gala dinner. To our winners: Thank you for helping our students "fly high." Because we know you, our district has been changed for the better!