“As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we discover our own lives and our own happiness.” A quote by Dieter F. Uchtdorf was used as the theme for a recent teacher appreciation event that brought people together. 

The Highlands Ranch Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints hosted the annual Teacher Appreciation Award night where each graduating senior in various congregations nominated a teacher to be honored and celebrated. 

A soft melody began to be played on the organ and everyone took their seat. Behind the podium sat principals and directors of Douglas County schools and leadership staff of the Colorado Stake. 

Mountain Vista senior opened the evening by recognizing and thanking all teachers. 

“We thank you for all the jokes and pictures that you put in your presentations,” said Mountain Vista Senior. “We thank you for your patience in helping us with the problem you just did on the board no less than five minutes ago. We thank you for the off topic stories that tend to take up a good amount of class but teach us who you really are.” 

Dr. Christopher Page Jr., principal of Highlands Ranch High School, was introduced with recognition as he was just named the Colorado High School Principal of the Year by the Colorado Association of School Executives. 

Passionate about building community, Pages’ speech focused around serving others and making an impact in the world, quoting the influential Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Mother Teresa. 

“There is no area that we can think of better where we provide service all the time than being a teacher,” said Page. “If you really think about it, teachers impact countless lives.” 

As Jimmer Fredette presented the awards for the third time, the audience heard multiple stories of a lifetime impact school teachers, coaches and piano teachers made on students. The connection between students and their teachers and role models were made visible through bursts of laughter, tears and hugs. 

39 students honored school and piano teachers and coaches from Thunderridge, Mountain Vista, Rock Canyon, Highlands Ranch, Ben Franklin Academy, the DCSD Bridge Program, Platte River Academy, Northridge Elementary and Heritage Elementary. 

One by one, each senior handed a plaque to their nominated teacher or coach and Fredette read aloud what the student wrote about that person. Words such as genuine, inspiring, charismatic, warm-hearted, generous, irreplaceable and selfless were just a few to describe the nominees. 

Students wrote, “One of the things that makes me smile is that she always says ‘good morning sunshine’,”, “Although some may see you as a simple librarian, I know that you are truly an extraordinary person,”, “She encourages and inspires me to work hard and also love and appreciate life,”, “Was friendly during uncertain times,”, “She will never know how much impact that one hug did for me.” 

“Being a teacher of 19 years, it’s always nice to hear that you’re appreciated and what you’re doing does make a difference,” said Joni Ables, Thunderridge teacher.