Several award winners were recognized during the Le Mars Community Schools Foundation Banquet held on Wednesday evening at the Le Mars Convention Center.
Kari Kopperud, an Elementary guidance counselor at Clark and Franklin Elementary Schools, was honored as this year’s “Decades of Excellence Crystal Bell – Teacher of the Year.” In her acceptance speech, Kopperud shared how she uses sign language with students to teach character traits, including empathy, courage, and gratitude.
Dr. Dan Bowers, a 1969 graduate of Le Mars Community Schools, returned to Le Mars from his home in New York to accept the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Dr. Bowers’ career included pioneering in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.
The banquet also recognized Benji Kasel, as a 25-year employee of the School District. Kasel has been a 5th grade teacher at Franklin Elementary, as well as an assistant boys’ basketball coach, middle school girls’ track coach, and as a football coach for 15 years. The Le Mars Community Schools’ “top five percent” students of the Class of 2026 were also recognized, as well as the school’s “Employees of the Month.”
