PLAIN — Six individuals and one organization were honored by the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping address challenges faced by rural school districts, at the annual Rural Schools Conference on Oct. 28.

The Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance was formed to help rural school districts address the unique issues that affect rural schools as they seek to achieve the highest quality education for every student. Members include a cross-section of administrators, educators, school board members, post-secondary representatives, rural community members, business leaders and other concerned individuals who want a strong voice for rural education.

WiRSA presents the rural awards annually at its fall conference to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations for their contributions to rural education. Nominations are submitted by the WiRSA membership in seven categories: Rural Teacher of the Year, Rural Administrator of the Year, Rural Principal of the Year, Rural School Board Member of the Year, Rural Support Staff Person of the Year, Rural Community Partner of the Year and Rural Advocacy Award.

This year’s recipients are:

Rural Teacher of the Year: Sarah Quade, teacher in the Monticello School District; nominated by Monticello School District Administrator Al Brokopp.

Rural Administrator of the Year: Ben Niehaus, District Administrator, Florence County School District; nominated by a collaboration from NWTC, UWGB, Florence County SD, Florence County Business and Industry, the School Districts of Niagara, Beecher-Dunbar-Pembine and Goodman-Armstrong Creek.

Rural Principal of the Year: Andy Banasik, Principal at Prairie du Chien High School; nominated by Prairie du Chien ACP/Testing Coordinator Karen Sjoberg.

Rural School Board Member of the Year: Jill Gaskell, Pecatonica School Board; nominated by Pecatonica District Administrator, Jill Underly.

Rural Support Staff Person of the Year: Keith Peterson, Argyle School District; nominated by Argyle District Administrator, Mike Beranek.

Rural Community Partner of the Year: Door County Medical Center; nominated by Southern Door District Administrator, Patricia Vickman on behalf of all Door County Schools.

Rural Advocacy Award: Doug Mering, Baraboo School District; nominated by Baraboo School District Administrator Dr. Lori Mueller.