Amy Hunsaker, Isabella Pacini, and Brandon Stone were selected as the Elko County School District’s May Staff and Teachers Achieving Results with Students (STARS) award recipients.
Hunsaker, a social studies teacher at Wells Combined School, was nominated by someone who wishes to remain anonymous. Their nomination explained that Hunsaker is not only a great teacher, but wears many hats at the combined school.
“Amy has been the student council advisor for Wells Combined for 25 years, bringing home the National Association of Student Council Academic Award several times,” the nomination read.
The nomination continued to explain that Hunsaker is a track coach, yearbook advisor, leads the emergency response team for the school, and is a great resource for fellow teachers.
“She is always happy to help with advice and materials or a listening ear. Her number one goal is that students get as many opportunities as possible.” 
Pacini, a social studies long-term substitute teacher at Adobe Middle School, was nominated by someone who wishes to remain anonymous.
“Ms. Pacini is an amazing teacher and has made learning easy. We take notes and all the normal things you do in class, but she makes it fun and easy to understand,” read the nomination.
“She also is a history nerd, and if you have an interest in any kind of historical event, she will recommend all kinds of books and websites for you to look at. She makes the class into a fun and safe experience for everyone in all her classes. She has helped me stay on top of my homework by letting me and other students stay in during lunch to work on homework, study, or even get help on anything.”
Stone, a science teacher at Elko High School, was nominated by someone who wishes to remain anonymous.
The nomination explained that Stone’s classroom is not just a space for instruction but an “ecosystem of curiosity and exploration, where learning extends far beyond textbooks.”
The nomination continued to praise Stone for his leadership in the high school’s robotics club.
“Under his guidance, the club has flourished into a dynamic community of aspiring engineers and innovators. He goes above and beyond to ensure that students have access to resources, mentorship, and opportunities for hands-on learning, empowering them to turn their creative visions into tangible reality.”
Staff, students and the general public are all encouraged to nominate a school district employee who demonstrates exceptional performance and commitment to the education of all students served by the district’s schools.
The nomination form can be found on the STARS webpage on the Elko County School District website.