The Manteca Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints recognized and honored area high school teachers for their outstanding service to youth at the 12th Annual Crystal Apple Awards held on Sunday, April 27th. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has honored many teachers over the past decade. This year, 11 recipients received a Crystal Apple Award for exemplifying excellent teaching, representing strong community values, and inspiring their students. The teachers were nominated by juniors and seniors who attend high schools in Manteca, Lathrop, Ripon, Stockton, Tracy and Mountain House. 

The 2025 Crystal Apple Award recipients are: 

• Rick Inderbitzin, East Union High School (nominated by Anthony Tapia) 

• Tyler Mullen Sr, Kimball High School (nominated by Cedric Coffey) 

• Cheryl Behler, Manteca High School (nominated by Caitlyn Kemper) 

• Stephania Albor, Manteca High School (nominated by Asael Rivera) 

• Meghan Hombacker, Mountain House High School (nominated by Taylor Rhien) 

• Tika Mejia, Mountain House High School (nominated by Sadie Baddas & AverElle Odom) 

• David Yonan, Ripon High School (nominated by Austin Perry) 

• Daniel Dolieslager, Sierra High School (nominated by Oliver Naven) 

• Alice Johnson, Venture Academy (nominated by Dante Caballero) 

• Stephanie Pease, West High School (nominated by Tyler Silcox) 

• Yesenia Huerta, Tracy High School (nominated by Maddie Fry) 

This year’s keynote speaker was a former Crystal Apple Award recipient and longtime legendary band leader at Sierra High School, Rick Hammerstrom. As band director, he has not only influenced thousands of young musicians to play beautiful music, but has inspired them to be outstanding citizens in our community. He talked about two things he truly values: education, and being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

He sees his students literally as brothers and sisters in the human family, and tries to treat them as such.  He told the educators present that by building relationships with their students, they help students reach their full potential. 

He noted that the Crystal Apple Award recipients attending the ceremony were there because of their impactful connections with students, as they helped them grow and develop their talents.  Mr. Hammarstrom noted that these teachers were making a true difference as educators.

Some excerpts from the remarks given by the students about their teachers include that they were: “Understanding, inspiring, the greatest teacher, learned a lot, shows love to all, is hard-working, great effort to teach, kind, helped me grow, patient, went above and beyond, enjoyable, dedicated, passionate, a great influence, taught me to respect others, to stand up for myself, made students feel welcome, meant to be a teacher, kids want to become a teacher because of them.”

A Youth Choir of middle and high school students from Manteca, Lathrop, Ripon, Tracy, and Mountain House provided entertainment for the event. The choir was directed by Liam Fobert, a senior at Mountain House High School, with Sam Witham, a junior at the same school, as pianist.

At least 12 members from several different School Boards attended the ceremony, and congratulated each teacher on receiving the Crystal Apple Award.  Each teacher received a certificate of recognition from the San Joaquin County Office of Education. Community members, students, teachers, civic leaders, and school leaders were in attendance to help celebrate these educators and the positive impacts they have made in the classroom and in the community.