For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and Skyward are continuing their long-standing partnership to host Educator’s Appreciation Night at Witter Field in 2019. During the event, the partners will honor one area teacher as the Skyward Central Wisconsin Teacher of the Year. The selected teacher will have a bobblehead created of their likeness, which will be added to the Skyward Central Wisconsin Teacher of the Year Bobblehead Wall of Fame at Witter Field. The honoree will also receive a bobblehead and be invited to Educator’s Appreciation Night, where they will be recognized on field prior to the Rafters game by throwing out a ceremonial first pitch. In addition, the chosen teacher and their family will receive free tickets to attend the game, courtesy of Skyward.

Past recipients of the Skyward Central Wisconsin Teacher of the Year award include: Mary Sabo, Washington Elementary, Wisconsin Rapids; Cathy Tritz, Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School, Bill Oswald, Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle School; Jessica Fischer, Ben Franklin Junior High, Stevens Point; Scott Sigourney, Woodside Elementary, Wisconsin Rapids; and Adam Klonowski Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School.

“Teachers have the ability to change the life of every student that walks into their classroom,” said Skyward CEO, Cliff King. “By partnering with the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, we are shining a light on the great work teachers do and the role they play in shaping future generations.”

In preparation for next year’s event, the Rafters encourage all students to nominate a teacher who has made a positive impact on their life and deserves to be recognized as the Skyward Central Wisconsin Teacher of the Year. Students, k-12, as well as parents and guardians are invited to participate by submitting an essay 300 words or less to: Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, Attn: Teacher of the Year, 521 Lincoln Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, 54494 or hannah@raftersbaseball.com.

The essay submission should explain why the nominated teacher is most deserving of the recognition and is Dec. 7. Please include author’s name, home address, and phone number. Any student submitting an essay will receive four tickets to Educator’s Appreciation Night, a Rafters mock jersey, and an autographed baseball from the 2019 Rafters team.