The 2026 Utah Catholic Schools Outstanding Employees are shown during the celebration dinner on May 7. Not shown are Sydney Johnson from Saint John the Baptist Middle School and Fr. Michael Augustine Amabsico, O.P. from the Skaggs Catholic Center. IC photo/Marie MischelSALT LAKE CITY — Representatives of Utah Catholic Schools gathered at Provisions, a Salt Lake City restaurant, for a celebratory dinner May 7 to recognize those selected as Outstanding Employees for the 2025-2026 school year. It was the first such gathering since 2019, said Nikki Ward, superintendent. The school principals asked that the dinner be reinstated “to celebrate the wonderful employees in our schools,” Ward said. 
Father John Evans, vicar general, gave the opening prayer. He was representing Bishop Oscar A. Solis, who was traveling and unable to attend. 
In her comments, Ward said it was especially nice to gather with the educators and employees of the 16 Catholic schools in Utah. “We have such a wide range of employees here tonight, and they have all shared their time, talent and treasure with Utah Catholic Schools.”
Speaking on behalf of the diocese and the families in Utah Catholic Schools, Fr. Evans thanked those gathered “for all of the ways in which you serve the children and the families of Catholic education, and even beyond – how you serve one another. There is so much sacrifice that goes into making Catholic education possible, and it’s not just the teachers, it’s everybody, in all the support roles and even the families. What you are being recognized for this evening amounts to countless different ways of contributing in a spectacular way.”
The efforts, love, care, energy and sacrifice given by those being recognized makes Catholic education possible, he said, and that includes doing things that elevate the minds and hearts of students. 
Fr. Evans closed his remarks by saying, “You are a blessing. … Often we don’t always see the magnitude of the blessing of God, but we see it in you. And you are a blessing, and I hope you know that in all sincerity.”  
The 2026 Utah Catholic Schools Outstanding Employees follow.
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School: Robin von Hartmann
J.E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School: Lauren Moran
Juan Diego Catholic High School: Ellie Walden
Judge Memorial Catholic High School: Lisa Jackson
Kearns-Saint Ann School: Carrie Justesen
Our Lady of Loudes Catholic School: Nelly Herrera
Saint Andrew Catholic School: Monserrath Santos
Saint Francis Catholic School: Guadalupe Velazquez
Saint John the Baptist Elementary: Jessica Aiello
Guardian Angel Child Development Center: Echo Shepherd
Saint John the Baptist Middle School: Sydney Johnson
Saint Joseph Catholic Elementary School: Sydney Price
Saint Joseph Catholic Elementary School: Edna Razo
Saint Joseph Catholic High School: Roxy Linares
Saint Marguerite Catholic School: Judy Arellano
Saint Olaf Catholic School: Angela Hummel and Matt Pack
Saint Vincent de Paul Parish School: Kimberly Howe
The Madeleine Choir School: Amy Bertrand 
The Madeleine Choir School: Casey Pond
The Skaggs Catholic Center: Reverend Michael Augustine Amabisco, O.P.