Two Utah County residents received the 2007 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Education, presented by the Utah PTA and KUED Public Television May 21.

John Winget, a seventh-grade teacher from Springville, received an award for his excellence in teaching at Oak Canyon Junior High.

Sandy Whitehead, from Pleasant Grove, received the 2007 Outstanding Volunteer Award. They were honored along with six other recipients of the Golden Apple Award.

"When seventh-graders walk into John Winget's Utah History class, they are not just going to another classroom for another period of school," said David Smith, principal of Oak Canyon Junior High. "Instead, they enter a 'museum' that captures the culture and history of the state."

Jennifer Baptista, who nominated Whitehead, said she is generous with her time: volunteering to read to elementary school children, selling suckers at the school store every Friday, overseeing the district music program and serving as a crossing guard every weekday morning and afternoon. She also finds time during the "off hours" to help with school magazine drives, conduct vision screenings at the schools and write articles for the Parent/Teacher/Student Association, as well as several other projects.

The recipients of the Golden Apple Award can be school administrators, parents or anyone who lives in the state of Utah and who is closely related with education. To be considered for an award, an application must be submitted which explains the person's relationship with students, parents, the Parent Teacher Association and community.

"We like to get a cross section of recipients for the award from the whole state, not just from a single area," said Eve Mary Verde, of KUED Television.

A selection committee from KUED television and the Utah PTA makes the final decision.

The award ceremony will premiere on KUED Channel 7, Thursday, May 31, at 9 p.m. and repeats Sunday, June 3, at 1 p.m.

The program will show on-site footage in the recipients' schools.

Gov. Jon Huntsman and First Lady Mary Kay Huntsman were present to congratulate the winners.

Each Golden Apple Award recipient receives a $1,000 award funded in part by NuSkin Enterprises, Utah Education Network, Utah Educators Mutual Insurance Association, Utah Education Association and the Emma Eccles Jones Foundation.

Copyright Brigham Young University 30 May 2007