Foundation names committee for 2013 Crystal Awards Gala

The committee chairs for the upcoming 2013 Crystal Awards Gala in February.

The Spring Branch Education Foundation has named a committee to help plan and present the 2013 Crystal Awards Gala.

The gala is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 8 at the Hyatt Regency Houston-Downtown.

According to a press release, a group of parents and community leaders will organize the event, which will recognize outstanding educators in the Greater Houston area.

Committee chair members will include Debra Aitken, publicity chair; Missy Balleza and Melissa DeAyala, decorations and style show co-chairs; Patty Busmire, SBEF special events chair; Marissa Klussmann, teacher appreciation chair; Donna Montalbano, underwriting chair; Becky Robertson and Hayley Stewart, auction co-chairs; Claudia Selzer, reservations chair; Debbie Slack, raffle chair; Laura Tingleaf, cleanup chair; and Cece Thompson, executive director of SBEF.

Other committee members will include Charla Allen, Kristen Arnett, Jennie Baker, Laura Cannaday, Diana Chenoweth, Katherine Dawson, Aimee Dodson, Suzy Godwin, Pam Goodson, Veronica Herrmann, Marty Herzog, Janet Horton, Robin Jensen, Lesley Krivan, Kay Kurisky, Renee Lange, Karen Lee, Susan Marks, Melissa Matthews, Elizabeth More, Wendy Moreland, Julie Moreton, Robin Nunley, Pam Overly, Dede Phillips, Suzanne Pittmann, Melinda Prewett, Michelle Putnik, Linda Ramos, Mary Ranger, Michelle Riddle, Tracey Rogan, Amanda Rutt, Lorrie Sanwald, Ruby Schaper, Lisa Schwartz, Julie Sheets, Inga Smith, Anne-Laure Stephens, Julie Stratton, Kim Trimble, Michele Tura, Gigi White and Kathy Wiggins.

"The Crystal Awards is an outstanding way for the community to honor the teachers who do so much for our children," Mary Grace Landrum, co-chair of the awards show, said in the release. "The incredible committee chairs and their members make this a truly spectacular evening for teachers from the Greater Houston area and Spring Branch ISD."

Tickets to the event start at $150, with proceeds benefiting educational and enrichment programs in the Spring Branch Independent School District and the Chronicle's Readers Are Leaders program.

For more information, call the Spring Branch Education Foundation at 713-251-2381 or visit http://cms.springbranchisd.com/sbef/Events/CrystalAwards/tabid/23012/Default.aspx.

The Hyatt Regency Houston-Downtown is located at 1200 Louisiana St., Houston.