Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) recently honored retiring employees during a special ceremony celebrating the lasting impact they made through years of dedicated service to students, families, and schools.

Representing departments and campuses across Newport-Mesa, many retirees attended with their families, and all were individually honored with a plaque and a brief tribute recognizing their service to the district and their plans for the future.

Among those honored was Ellen Sugiyama, who dedicated 41 years to Nutrition Services; Ms. Sugiyama was recognized in 2024 as NMUSD Classified School Employee of the Year for her outstanding commitment to Killybrooke Elementary students. Also recognized was Donald Johnston, who served 30 years as a teacher and coach at Newport Harbor High School. After 23 years as a driver and warehouse worker, Wendell Ross is looking forward to more time on the road, this time on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Sharon Devera, who concluded 26 years of service as a school attendance technician at Ensign Intermediate School, plans to spend more time with a new grandchild.

“Our retirees have played an invaluable role in shaping the experiences and opportunities for students that define a  Newport-Mesa education,” said Tracy Knibb, assistant superintendent of human resources. “Their care, commitment, and unwavering belief in students have left a lasting mark on our schools and our community. We are deeply grateful for the years they so generously devoted to our district.”

While their careers in NMUSD are coming to a close, many retirees shared plans to spend more time traveling during the school year, a well-earned next chapter after decades of service to students and schools.

The following employees were recognized for their years of dedicated service to the district:

• Christine Anderson, teacher, Paularino Elementary, 29 years
• Heather Casey, preschool site facilitator, Pomona Elementary, 24 years
• Evan Chalmers, teacher, Newport Harbor High School, 29 years
• Maria Cuin Martinez, nutrition services assistant, Pomona Elementary, 33 years
• Carol Davis, teacher, Newport Heights Elementary, 26 years
• Lori Delgado, teacher, Adams Elementary, 19 years
• Sharon Devera, school attendance technician, Ensign Intermediate, 26 years
• Elizabeth Dorain, teacher, Adams Elementary, 15 years
• Jocelyn Downing, teacher, Mariners Elementary, 37 years
• Kimberly Doyle, special education coordinator, Special Services, 9 years
• Gwen Fisher, teacher, Woodland Elementary, 18 years
• Jeffrey Gall, assistant principal, Costa Mesa Middle/High School, 34 years
• Somer Harding, director, Health Services, 10 years
• Davena Harrison, teacher, College Park Elementary, 28 years
• Donald Johnston, teacher, Newport Harbor High School, 30 years
• Nelson Kim, custodian, Estancia High School, 19 years
• Eugene Lennert, head custodian, Paularino Elementary, 29 years
• Julie McCorkell, teacher, California Elementary, 26 years
• Bernadette Murphy-Mesinas, job transition coach, Special Services, 29 years
• Kimberly O’Shea-Barney, teacher, Elementary Education, 21 years
• Rubenia Perez-Portillo, nutrition services assistant, Ensign Intermediate, 27 years
• Richard Rivera, teacher, Corona del Mar Middle/High School, 23 years
• Brad Rodriguez, information technology technician, 17 years
• Wendell Ross, warehouse worker/delivery driver, 23 years
• Cecilia Silva-Santisteban, teacher, Newport Harbor High School, 19 years
• Carol Singer, teacher, Mariners Elementary, 30 years
• Ellen Sugiyama, nutrition services assistant, Killybrooke Elementary, 41 years
• Laura Swank, instructional assistant, Special Education, 19 years
• Tina Taylor, teacher, Costa Mesa Middle/High School, 18 years
• Emma Torres, nutrition services assistant, Pomona Elementary, 12 years
• Jorge Vazquez, custodian, Killybrooke Elementary, 31 years
• Phyllis Vliss, teacher, Killybrooke Elementary, 38 years
• John Yeomans, teacher, Estancia High School, 30 years

To view more photos from the retiree recognition event, please visit our online photo gallery.