Lompoc Unified School District (LUSD) celebrates the outstanding achievements of 18 staff members who were recognized by the Santa Barbara County Education Office at the 2025 Education Celebration.

Outstanding staff members of the Lompoc Unified School District gather for a photo. (Courtesy photo)
Outstanding staff members of the Lompoc Unified School District were honored for their service. (Courtesy photo)

“As we wrap up the 2024-25 school year, there’s so much to celebrate from student showcases and milestone graduations to awards and community honors,” said Clara Finneran, superintendent of Lompoc Unified School District.

“This season of achievement is a reflection of the incredible people in LUSD behind the scenes who give their all to inspire, support, and uplift our students every single day,” she said.

“This year’s Education Celebration was especially meaningful, with a record 35 LUSD team members in attendance to celebrate 18 team members’ outstanding contributions,” Finneran said.

“One of the most touching moments was seeing Lompoc High Student Daviniah Lopez attend the event to personally honor her principal; a powerful reminder of the lasting impact a great educator can have,” she said.

“I’m deeply proud of each member of our LUSD team who brings our mission to life and shapes a brighter future for our students,” Finneran said.

Twenty LUSD staff members received accolades at the Education Celebration hosted by the Santa Barbara County Education Office in Solvang on May 22.

Crystal Apple Awards

Every year, SBCEO selects 10 awardees who are nominated by their peers for their hard work and dedication to students, their instructional and motivational skills, their ability to challenge and inspire students, and their effective interaction with students, staff, and the local community. This year, we celebrate two 2025 Santa Barbara Teachers Federal Credit Union Crystal Apple Award winners:
● Administrator: Celeste Pico, Principal, Lompoc High School
● Elementary Teacher Award: Terri Cecchine, Teacher, La Honda STEAM Academy

Grant Awards

Every year, SBCEO also offers competitive grants to teachers in the County. This year, SBCEO awarded grants to these 17 LUSD staff members:
● Julia Ambat, Lompoc High School, Instructional Strategy Team Member Grant, Curriculum Project Grant
● Sarah Barthel, Lompoc High School, Performing Arts Curriculum Project Grant, Collaborative Learning Team Grant
● Sarah Calhoun Foss, Los Berros Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Collaborative Learning Team Grant
● Terri Cecchine, La Honda STEAM Academy – Care for Our Earth Grant, Instructional Strategy Team Coach
● Gregory Eisen, Cabrillo High School, Curriculum Project Grant, Collaborative Learning Team Grant
● Bree Jansen, Lompoc High School, Collaborative Learning Team Grant
● Jessica Kennedy, Clarence Ruth Elementary School, Care for Our Earth Grant
● Christopher Ladwig, Cabrillo High School, Collaborative Learning Team Grant
● Lori Leach, Los Berros Visual and Performing Arts Academy – Care for Our Earth Grant
● David McNamara, Los Berros Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Collaborative Learning Team Grant
● Brianna Montoya, Los Berros Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Collaborative Learning Team Grant
● Michelle Poquette, Cabrillo High School, Collaborative Learning Team Grant
● Alyssa Prieto, Lompoc High School, Instructional Strategy Team Member Grant, Performing Arts Curriculum Project Grant, Collaborative Learning Team Grant
● Sarah Santiago, Lompoc High School, Collaborative Learning Team Grant
● Brittany Slagle, Clarence Ruth Elementary, Instructional Strategy Team Member Grant
● Ebony Young, La Honda STEAM Academy, Instructional Strategy Team Member Grant
● Kelsey Wellard, Los Berros Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Collaborative Learning Team Grant