Celebrating the 2025 NCC Advantage Awards Nominees

Congratulations to all our nominees! Your commitment to serving with excellence and purpose inspires our entire team.

We are thrilled to announce this year’s NCC Advantage Awards nominees—exceptional educators and pastors who embody Contagious Kindness, Servant’s Heart, Passionate Hard Work, Engaged and Enthusiastic Leadership, Community Relevance, Mission-Driven Dedication, and Organizational Health.

We also extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in the nomination process. Your support helps us recognize and celebrate the incredible work happening across our churches and schools. The final award recipients for each category will be announced April 7.

Contagious Kindness

Educators

• Cyndee Westenrider, principal at Middletown Adventist School
• Michael Rosich, kindergarten teacher at Sacramento Adventist Academy
• Wendy Henry, principal at Foothills Adventist Elementary School

Pastors

• Robert Mason at Yreka and Scott Valley Church
• Steve Brownell at Oroville Church
• Zachary Reiber at Paradise Church

Servant’s Heart

Educators

• Byron Hegewald, principal and teacher at ACES Red Bluff
• Linda Lamb, principal at Yreka Adventist Christian School
• Nancy Matthews, principal and teacher at Vacaville Adventist Christian School

Pastors

• Tim McMillen at Grace Point Church
• Tracy Baerg at Lodi-Fairmont Church
• Janeen Little at Lodi-Fairmont Church

Passionate Hard Work

Educators

• Cyndee Westenrider, principal at Middletown Adventist School
• Matthew Jakobsons, principal at Sacramento Adventist Academy
• Mekey Lepulu, principal at Rio Lindo Academy

Pastors

• Brad Gienger at Santa Rosa Church
• Daniel Garza at Yuba City Church
• Luccas Rodor at Granite Bay Hilltop Church

Engaged and Enthusiastic

Educators

• Chase Weideman, teacher at the Napa Christian Campus of Education
• David Vixie, principal and teacher at Paradise Adventist Elementary School
• Lisa Nuss, principal and teacher at Lodi Adventist Elementary School

Pastors

• Damon Washington, at Pittsburg and Oakland Immanuel Temple Churches
• Jaime Calvo, at Sacramento, Woodland, and North Highlands Spanish Churches
• Josie Asencio, at Antioch Church

Community Relevance

Educators

• Beatrice Ahn, principal at Tracy Christian Elementary School
• Chloe Mapa, principal at El Dorado Adventist School
• Wendy Henry, principal at Foothills Adventist Elementary School

Pastors

• Douglas Barahona, at Chico Church
• Rob Benardo, at Sacramento Central Church
• Stennett Nash, at Hayward Spanish Church

Mission-Driven

Educators

• Cyndee Westenrider, principal at Middletown Adventist School
• Gina Wilmot, Early Childhood Education Center Director at Kingdom Kids Christian Preschool
• Melany Quintero, principal at Adventist Christian School of Yuba City

Pastors

• Edwin Brown, at Oakland-Market Street Church
• Matt Mattzela, at Lakeport Church
• Sasa Andelkovic, at Sacramento Yugoslavian Church

Organizational Health

Educators

• Leslie Bartsch, principal at Chico Oaks Adventist School
• Lisa Nuss, principal at Lodi Adventist Elementary School
• Richard Nelson, principal at Ukiah Junior Academy

Pastors

• Damon Washington, at Pittsburg and Oakland Immanuel Temple Churches
• Ron Yabut, at Anderson Church
• Walt Groff, at Grace Point Church