The twelfth annual Crystal Apple Award ceremony to honor staff from local high schools took place at 7 p.m. on March 30, 2025, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Aliso Viejo, where Mr. Walsh and Ms. Ross were presented with their awards.
At the ceremony, teachers from Dana Hills High School, Laguna Beach High School and Aliso Niguel High School were honored. Two teachers were selected from each school to receive the Crystal Apple Awards. This year, Mr. Walsh and Ms. Ross were among the recipients from Aliso Niguel.
The ceremony was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where food was served and speeches were delivered. This year, Kaden Christensen (12) and Katherine Verrando (12) nominated Mr. Walsh and Ms. Ross for the awards. The pair introduced the winners with a short speech describing how the teachers made an impact on their lives and schools; then, the teachers spoke about their impact at Aliso Niguel High School.
Principals from each school attended, along with other administrators and students. The group came together to celebrate teachers and the broader community. After the speeches, teachers were presented with a Crystal Apple in recognition of their hard work, along with posters to hang in their classrooms.
The Crystal Apple Award is intended to honor teachers, coaches and staff who have made a positive impact on students’ lives. The president of the church helped conduct the ceremony along with an outside committee that monitored the votes.
Julia Moon (12) says, “I saw posters listed about the ceremony around campus, but I was unsure what exactly the event was about; but it sounds cool.”
Before the ceremony, students had the opportunity to vote for the teacher of their choice through an online link. Many posters were displayed around campus to inform and invite students to the event.
Kaden Christensen presented the award to Mr. Walsh said, “Despite his nurturing teaching style and his five-star personality, I believe the thing that makes him so deserving of [the Crystal Apple Award] is his ability to simply be a friend.”
The ceremony began with two prayers from different religions to promote inclusivity and community among attendees. Before the event, two students performed the song “From the Start,” and later in the night, another student sang.
Chuck Henry, a retired NBC4 news anchor, covered the event and helped host the ceremony. Food was provided to all guests, including an array of appetizers. Following the ceremony, free ice cream from Handel’s was served to everyone in attendance.
Ethan Coronado (11) says, “I am sad to have missed the event this year. It sounds like an important ceremony that was designed to honor our teacher, and next year I will make sure to vote to help make a difference.”
At the end of the night, many teachers stood together to take photos and socialize. Everyone in attendance came to show support for the staff and all that they do.
