For the Reporter

The Auburn School District Board of Directors will recognize John Ansotigue, teacher at Evergreen Heights Elementary for his outstanding service at 7 p.m. Monday at the James P. Fugate Administration building, 915 Fourth St. NE.

Ansotigue has been teaching music and P.E. at the school since 2001. He leads a 90-member elementary choir that performs the national anthem at numerous college and professional sporting events, including Mariners games, NCAA regional events and Seattle Thunderbirds games.

His choir students recorded two radio jingles last year that began airing last week.

Ansotigue also brought sport stacking to Washington and is an integral part of the World Sport Stacking Association. He has coordinated hosting the Northwest regional sport stacking competition for the last eight years and has been the tournament director for the last 10 years.

Even after teaching for 39 years, Ansotigue loves his job has no plans to retire any time soon.

“My goal is to have a positive impact on students and to give them the opportunity to be successful,” he said.

The board also will recognize Britney Ibarra, a fifth-grader at Pioneer Elementary, for being an outstanding student.

According to teachers and staff, Ibarra is an incredible, hard-working student who comes to school ready and excited to learn every day. She is a positive role model, always tries her best and has a wonderful attitude.

She has been on the Pioneer Demo team for the last three years, was an ASB representative in third grade, participated in the DEA Auburn Youth Dance Program and is part of the safety patrol.

Teacher Daniela Rowe said, “Britney is amazing. She started kindergarten speaking only Spanish. Through hard work, parental support and encouragement, she is fluent in both Spanish and English. Not only does she have an amazing work ethic, she’s also respectful, responsible and kind. She is so deserving of this award.” …