The Western Upper Peninsula Education Association/MEA hosted its fifth-annual OPIE — Outstanding Person In Education — Awards on April 27 at Young’s Golf Course and Restaurant in Iron River. From left are Eric Ghiggia, 18-B Coordinating Council president; Darin Barry; Jayne Carlson; Ann Pericolosi; Connie Smith; Kim Klarich; Gail Robert; Maureen Menard; Kevin Lyons; and Dave Martinson, MEA UniServ director.

IRON RIVER — The Western Upper Peninsula Education Association/MEA had its fifth-annual OPIE — Outstanding Person In Education– Awards on April 27 at Young’s Golf Course and Restaurant in Iron River.

OPIE Awards were presented to teachers and support staff members from school districts across Gogebic, Iron and Dickinson counties. Recipients were selected by their peers for outstanding contributions to students and public education in the communities.

The 2023 honorees were:

— Maureen Menard, Breitung Township Education Association;

— Ann Pericolosi, Breitung Township Education Support Professionals;

— Connie Smith, Dickinson-Iron ISD Education Association;

— Kim Klarich, Dickinson-Iron ISD Education Support Professionals II;

— Kevin Lyons, Ironwood Education Association;

— Gail Robert, Norway-Vulcan Education Association;

— Darin Barry, West Iron County Education Association;

— Jayne Carlson, West Iron County Education Support Professionals.