By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
WISCONSIN DELLS – Sandy Holquist, Bookkeeper for the School District of Tomahawk, was recently named the School Business Office Professional of the Year by the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials (WASBO).
Holquist received the award at the 2022 School Business Office Professionals Conference in Wisconsin Dells on Thursday, Dec. 8. She is the first recipient of the award.
WASBO said the School Business Office Professional of the Year Award “acknowledges the value and need to recognize outstanding members of the school business office.”
“While WASBO recognizes the work Business and Facilities Managers do to help our students and schools, WASBO also wanted to recognize those in accounting, payroll and human resources who help keep the lights on, staff members and bills paid, provide an additional layer of fiscal security and much more,” WASBO stated. “Sandy Holquist is being recognized as the first recipient of the School Business Office Professional of the Year Award because she is an unsung hero for her district and community.”
Hilary Cordova, Director of Finance for CESA 9, and District Administrator Wendell Quesinberry praised Holquist in a video created by WASBO.
Cordova said Holquist is “the behind-the-scenes sort of hero.”
“But I know that she’s back there behind the scenes cheering everybody on, giving them the information they need so they can make informed decisions at the community level,” Cordova stated.
“There’s nobody that you’re going to find in our district that works harder,” Quesinberry said about Holquist. “She ensures that our district is always on the right path financially.”
Quesinberry added that Holquist is a “highly trusted member of our team, someone who everyone in the district looks to for any questions or budget or financial information.”
Noting that she is “the founding member of the CESA 9 Sandy Holquist Fan Club,” Cordova said among the reasons Holquist is deserving of the award is “because no matter what, since I have been here, Sandy has been someone we could count on.”
“Sandy is wonderful, and to have her be the first person who is receiving this award, I think, is incredibly special,” Quesinberry stated. “We’re so proud of her, and we’re so lucky and blessed to have her as part of our district.”
Holquist said she is “extremely honored” to be the first recipient of the award, thanking WASBO for creating the group and setting up training opportunities for business office professionals.
Holquist also thanked Cordova for nominating her for the award and Quesinberry, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services Wendy Simonis, Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Arland Wingate and CESA 9’s Hanna Van Ryen for their support in her nomination.
“The School District of Tomahawk is an amazing place to work, and the people that I work with make it even better,” Holquist stated, giving a shoutout to Personnel Specialist Jackie Dorion and District Office Secretary Coleen Frisch for “being there to help or just (listening) when needed,” which, Holquist said, “makes every day enjoyable.”
“Lastly, I want to thank my family for 32 years’ worth of audits,” Holquist stated. “My husband and son are always there to keep me level. Again, thank you for this wonderful award.”
To view the video, visit www.bit.ly/3HiLPm2.