For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and Skyward continue their partnership on the Educators Appreciation Night at Witter Field for the 2021 season.

During this evening, the Rafters and Skyward 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 will be recognized on field during Educator’s Appreciation Night 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: Julie Stoffel of Lincoln High School/Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle School, Rebecca Sturdy of Grant Elementary in Wisconsin Rapids, Mary Sabo of Washington Elementary in Wisconsin Rapids, Cathy Tritz of Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School, Bill Oswald of Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle School, Jessica Fischer of Ben Franklin Junior High in Stevens Point, Scott Sigourney of Woodside Elementary, and Adam Klonowski of Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids.

“Skyward has been an amazing organization to partner with to promote teacher recognition” said Rafters GM Andy Francis. “Teachers have been true heroes this year. The adversity they have had to face with the pandemic and teaching students through these unusual circumstances is remarkable. We are honored to be able to acknowledge these outstanding teachers alongside Skyward.”

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 a 300-word essay to: Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, ATTN: Teacher of the Year, 521 Lincoln Street
Wisconsin Rapids, WI, 54494; or by email to hannah@raftersbaseball.com.

The essay submission should explain why the nominated teacher is most deserving of the recognition and is due by Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. The essay must include the author’s home address and phone number at the top of the page, to allow Rafters staff an opportunity to notify them if their nominated teacher was selected. Any student who writes an essay nominating the winning teacher will receive four tickets to Educators Appreciation Night, a Rafters mock jersey, and an autographed baseball from the 2021 Rafters team.

The Rafters will announce the date of Educators Appreciation Night, along with a full listing of the 2021 promotional schedule in the spring.