Bend HS employee wins statewide award

A union representing 20,000 education professionals throughout Oregon surprised an accounting technician at Bend Senior High School by naming her its 2015 Employee of the Year at a ceremony held Wednesday at the high school library.

Debbie Christian, who has worked for the Bend-La Pine School District for the last seven years, was selected by a committee of past Oregon School Employees Association ( OSEA ) presidents out of a pool of nominees from throughout the state.

“Her position is often overlooked, but Debbie makes an essential contribution to her school and community through the work she does,” OSEA President Tim Stoelb said. “She exemplifies the best attributes of our members.”

Bend Senior High School Principal Christopher Reese, who helped nominate Christian for the award, concurs.

“She touches every aspect of our school and has the pulse of everything that is going on,” Reese wrote in his nomination letter. “(She) has a skill set that I would stack up against anyone in the state!”

Christian will be honored throughout OSEA ‘s annual three-day Conference, held June 25 -27 at the Red Lion on the River in Portland. She will be presented with a traveling trophy and plaque during the Saturday night awards banquet on June 27 .