2008 - 2009 The Franklin Regional School District recently announced the recipients of the 2008-2009 Excellence Recognition Award.  Nominations were made by members of the school district and the community.  All staff members, students and volunteers are eligible for the award.  This is the eleventh anniversary of the award which was initiated in 1998 by then School Board president, Dr. Bert Milligan. Those that were honored this year are:  John Blank – Science Teacher at the Middle School; Vidie Copeland – Second Grade Teacher at Heritage Elementary School; Kristin Giron – English/Yearbook Teacher at the Franklin Regional Senior High School; Gary Grubich – English and Performing Arts Teacher at the Franklin Regional Middle School; and Bob Kalanja – Fifth Grade Teacher at Sloan Elementary School. Those recognized share the exceptional qualities of service, creativity, achievement, leadership, consensus builder and nurturer.  These individuals exemplify the tradition of dedication that those associated with the award hope to communicate to others about the Franklin Regional School District. Others nominated for excellence for this year included Linda Wakefield, Kathie McClintock, Joan Dierdorf, Glenda Washburn, Hope Schilling, Doug Kelly, Jan Thomas, Marcy Canterna, Jennifer Oates, Laurel Frey, Megan Melucci, Elaine Miscik, George Blank, Kristi Loyal, Kristin Giron, Monica Rothhaar, Ernie Parsell, Courtney Cassidy, Darla Bryant, Roger Crider, Gary Guadagnino, Wiltraut Nielson, Karin Koehler, Jeff Wickland, Charles Conway, Janet McMahon, Maria Rasparski, the FR Varsity Swimming/Diving Team, and the Junior Activities Committee of the Murrysville Garden Club (Myra Mamo/Martha Miller). The awards were presented at a formal dinner on Monday, March 23rd in the Panther Café at the Senior High School.