RATHDRUM — After a performance this spring, Lakeland High School choir and band teacher Mark Sescilla was taken aback by the volume of people who showed up for a reception thrown by his colleague.

"I walked into the gym and there must have been 200 people," Sescilla said Thursday. "It was overwhelming and so cool. There were former students going back to '97, '98, '99. Some principals, some teachers. That was an epic moment."

Epic, but no surprise for Sescilla's many former students and colleagues who wished to celebrate him before he retired after 27 years with the district.

"Mark Sescilla is probably one of the best men I’ve ever worked with," Lakeland Principal Jimmy Hoffman said. "Our staff valued him on a daily basis, our students thrived in his classroom. He is such a wonderful guy. We’re going to miss him greatly."

Sescilla was named the school's 2024 MVP after he earned the most votes from his peers throughout the year.

And, thanks to an anonymous donor, Sescilla and his wife, Kathy, were also awarded a trip to Hawaii to honor his years of service to the district.

"This is probably a once-in-a-lifetime thing for us and we are super excited about it," he said. "This whole MVP thing is just so humbling. What a privilege to be voted in by the staff."

He said Lakeland's administration is amazing in its support for its staff. He praised his colleagues as also being worthy of MVP status.

"There's 20, 30 other people that could have gotten this award," he said. "I'm obviously very humbled to receive it. It's just a privilege and a blessing."

This was the second year for the Lakeland High MVP award.

Betty Kiefer Elementary also honored one of its finest through an MVP award and $2,000 prize, which went to special education paraprofessional Brittney Mathews.

Lisa Hoffman, Jimmy Hoffman's wife and the principal of Betty Kiefer, said Mathews was very deserving of this award.

"She serves several students throughout each day and does so with a smile and a caring heart," Lisa Hoffman said, adding that Mathews was also named the Classified Staff Member of the Year for Betty Kiefer. 

"She has already planned a trip to Alabama with her family — a place near and dear to her heart," Hoffman said.

She said all year long, staff members have opportunities to vote for the person who inspires them the most.

"This includes going above and beyond for kids, families and/or colleagues," Lisa Hoffman said. "These people who are receiving the votes come to work with a positive attitude and a positive mindset ready to serve kids each and every day. Our motto at Betty Kiefer is that we always do right by kids in every decision we make."

She said Mathews' award would not have been possible without the help of Atlas Building Group and NNAC Inc.

"I am very thankful and honored they felt compelled to support educators and believe in our goal of promoting a positive atmosphere for our employees," Hoffman said.

    Betty Kiefer Elementary Principal Lisa Hoffman, left, is seen at the end of the school year with Betty Kiefer's 2024 MVP, special education paraprofessional Brittney Mathews.
  

    Lakeland band and choir teacher Mark Sescilla, standing right of center in the back row and sporting his familiar piano key tie, is surrounded by former students after a concert this spring. He was celebrated as the 2024 Lakeland MVP and was awarded a trip to Hawaii upon his retirement at the end of the school year.