Fox Cities Chamber: Announces 2025 Excellence in Education Shining Star Award recipient

FOX CITIES, Wis. (January 27, 2025) – The Fox Cities Chamber has announced the 10 recipients of the 2025 Excellence in Education Shining Star Awards.

This year’s recipients, chosen from among nearly 250 nominees, are:

  • Karissa Ring, Kindergarten, Johnston Elementary
  • Tracy Larson, Special Education, Freedom Elementary
  • Eugene Wall, Special Education, Little Chute High School
  • Jennie Gries, 2nd Grade, Park Community Charter School
  • Penny Kurkiewicz, 1st Grade, Freedom Elementary
  • Sarah Heezen, Agriculture, Freedom High School
  • Jill Dolan, Art, Fox Valley Lutheran
  • Kate Dickinson, ESL, Neenah Joint School District
  • Kyle Dunphy, Technology Education, Kaukauna High School
  • Jillian Prahl, Family and Consumer Science, Hortonville Area School District


“The Fox Cities Chamber is committed to supporting and facilitating education and business partnerships that promote student success, workforce development and quality of life. We are thrilled to be able to honor Fox Cities educators through our Excellence in Education awards and recognize the key role they play in inspiring students at all levels to prepare our future workforce and the next generation of leaders in our community,” says Becky Bartoszek, President and CEO of the Fox Cities Chamber.

The honorees were selected by a volunteer panel of Fox Cities education professionals. They will be formally recognized and receive their awards at the Chamber’s Excellence in Education Shining Star Awards Program at Butte des Morts Country Club on March 13. Learn more about the event, and buy tickets at https://members.foxcc.net/chamber-events/Details/2025-excellence-in-education-awards-1228719?sourceTypeId=Website.

To view the full list of nominees: https://foxcitieschamber.com/2025-shining-star-nominees/?_gl=1*1ka88eo*_ga*NDc0MjA3Mzg2LjE3MTkzMzAyMzQ.*_ga_XT7B2KRMEM*MTczNzQ4Nzk1Ni4yNzkuMS4xNzM3NDg3OTgxLjAuMC4w.

Interested in showing support for education in the form of an event sponsorship? A variety of sponsorship levels are still available. For information, contact Eric Broten, VP – Business Growth and Development, Fox Cities Chamber at ebroten@foxcc.net or (920) 831-4908.