Alumni News Roller receives Milken Educator Award during surprise assembly


Engagements & Marriages C


ary Roller, who earned her teaching certificate from Black Hills State University in 2000, was awarded the 2008 Milken Educator Award by the Milken Family Foundation. Cary currently teaches first grade at Knollwood Heights Elementary School in Rapid City, where she has been teaching for eight years. In a surprise assembly at the school she was told she had been selected for the


national award. She received a $25,000 cash prize to use at her discretion and an all-expense-paid trip to Los Angeles next spring to participate in the annual Milken National Education Conference. South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds attended the assembly, announcing Cary’s name as she sat with her group of first-graders. The event was part of the foundation's 22nd annual National Notifications Tour, which honors educators throughout the country.


Roller


The Milken National Educator Awards were created by Lowell Milken in 1985 to celebrate, elevate, and activate the highest caliber professionals in the nation’s schools. Each year 100 unsuspecting K-12 teachers, principals, and specialists throughout the United States are surprised with the news of their $25,000 award. According to the Milken Family Foundation, Cary has nurtured high student achievements in an innovative, child-centered class- room environment. Cary challenges her students in areas such as vocabulary and provides a wide range of reading and writing opportu- nities. She also led a successful effort in writing a “Got Books!” proposal through DonorsChoose.org for $500 to buy books for her classroom library. Cary has been a member of the Building Leadership Team for over six years,


where she works with colleagues to observe the school’s test results and provide staff developments to address areas of need. She led a demonstration classroom for several years where she served as an example of effective literacy instruction for colleagues locally and across the region. Among her many leadership roles, Cary is also a member of the Knollwood Mighty Knights Committee, in which she helps to recognize student excellence.


South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds presents Cary Roller with the 2008 Milken Educator Award, which included a $25,000 cash prize and an all-expense-paid trip to Los Angeles to participate in the annual Milken National Education Conference. Cary, who was surprised with the award during an assembly, teaches first grade at Knollwood Heights Elementary School in Rapid City.


The 80s


Mike Dressler, Class of ’86, and Laura Rowedder mar-


ried Jan. 19, 2008. Mike sells residential real estate for RE/Max Professionals, Inc. The couple lives in Harrisburg.


Becky Lynde, Class of ’82, married John Linn June 15, 2008. The couple lives in Rapid City.


The 90s


Jerome Imhoff, Class of ’92, married Freddie Oaks Sept. 12,


2008. Jerome works as a staffing manager for Talent


Black Hills State University Alumni Magazine Page 12


Tree. The couple lives in San Francisco, Calif.


Paul D. Jensen, attended, and Shannon Weibley married July 12, 2008. Paul is employed by Simplex Grinnell in Fort Collins, Colo. The couple lives in Fort Collins.


Andrea VanAsperen, Class of ’98, married Corey Lewis Nov. 29, 2008. Andrea is the deputy trea- surer at the Custer County Treasurer’s Office. The couple lives in Custer.


The 00s


Laura Beshara, Class of ’05, and Joseph Malory were


married Dec. 5, 2008. Laura is a donor recruit- ment representative for United Blood Services.


Kristen Bunker, Class of ’06, and Rory Maynard, Class of ’06, were married Sept. 27, 2008. Rory is the general manager at the Golden Hills Resort in Lead. Kristen is the direc- tor of sales at the Golden Hills Resort. The couple lives in Lead.


Kevin Burke, Class of ’01, and Kim Meisner married Sept. 13, 2008. Kevin is a pharmaceutical representa- tive. The couple lives in Rapid City.


Rachel Collier, Class of ’03, and Jason Materi, attended, married Jan. 3, 2009. Rachel is a work- force specialist for the


Wyoming Department of Workforce Services in Gillette, Wyo. Jason is employed by Materi Contracting in Sundance, Wyo.


Alesha Culver, Class of ’05, and Brad Limbo, attended, were married Feb. 28, 2009. Alesha is employed at BHSU in the Office of Admissions. Brad is employed by Precision Surveying and Mapping of Sturgis.


Andrew Curry, Class of ’07, and Nikki Thorson, attending, married Sept. 6, 2008. Andrew is employed by Beatty Electric. Nikki is employed at Boyds Drug Mart.


Amber Fitzpatrick, Class of ’04, and Max Burgdoerfer were married


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