Rafters Announce 2017 Skyward Central Wisconsin Teacher Of The Year

Mr. Adam Klonowski Nominated For 4^th Annual Award

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, in partnership with Skyward Inc., are pleased to announce the recipient of the 2017 Skyward Central Wisconsin Teacher of the Year award. Mr. Adam Klonowski, a Technology Education teacher at Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School, was recently presented with a certificate by Rafters’ general manager John Fanta commemorating his nomination.

Mr. Adam Klonowski has been a teacher at Lincoln High School since 2013. He attended Lincoln High School as a student and returned after graduating from UW-Stout. Adam teaches the engineering and graphic production courses where students are pushed to use their creativity and problem solving skills. With the use of these skills, Mr. Klonowski is able to build upon and integrate new technology into his classes.  This includes 3D printers, laser engravers, vinyl cutters, and other computer controlled tools for students to utilize while developing hands on skills. Adam is also involved in the SkillsUSA events that his students participate and compete in to showcase their hard work. Many of his students have won awards for their work at these state wide events. In addition to Adam’s work in the classroom, he also coaches Wisconsin Rapids Junior High wrestling team.

The Rafters and Skyward Inc. will hold the 4th annual Educator’s Appreciation Night at Witter Field on Tuesday, June 27th. As part of the evening, the Rafters and Skyward will honor Mr. Adam Klonowski with a bobblehead to be given away to fans. Mr. Klonowski will also be invited to attend the Educator’s Appreciation Night and be recognized on the field prior to the Rafters game by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. In addition, Adam and his family will receive free tickets to attend the game, courtesy of Skyward Inc.

To facilitate the selection of the teacher, the Rafters held an essay contest for students in grades K-12 in the area during the months of November and December. All students were encouraged to nominate a teacher who they felt has made a positive impact on their life and write a 300 word essay on the reason as to why this teacher deserved to be recognized as the Skyward Central Wisconsin Teacher of the Year.

The Rafters received an overwhelming response to the essay contest, with over 350 submissions from students in the area districts. Speaking even more to the outstanding quality of educators in the area, over 90 teachers received at least one submission nominating them. To help narrow down the submissions, an internal rating system was used that included the following areas: Number of nominations submitted on behalf of each teacher, years of service by the teacher to the district, essay substance regarding the teacher, principal recommendation, and the most unique characteristics described by students about the teacher.

The season and home opener for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters is May 30th at 7:05 against the Kenosha Kingfish. Solarus Founders Club, bleacher 9-Game ticket packages, and group outing packages are on sale now. Call 715-424-5400 or stop by the Rafters Front Office Monday-Friday from 9-5 to purchase a ticket package or book a group outing.

###

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 23-year-old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 160 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM) and Lucas Duda (NYM).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rafters as your favorite team.