A Northstar Legacy Lives On
Amongst the pomp and circumstance of student-focused commencement traditions, there is another, lesser known honor to be celebrated.
Every June, Northstar recognizes one person to receive the Pat West Legacy Award. The recipient is a faculty or staff member who has distinguished themselves in support of Northstar’s mission and community. The award acknowledges continued excellence and outstanding service both within and outside the classroom.
Officially created by the Northstar Board of Directors in 2018, this Excellence in Education award is a lasting commemorative to Dr. Patricia West, former Head of School. Dr. West was a lifelong advocate for special education and made a significant impact on Northstar, both the students and staff. She served as Head of School for over 13 years.
During the June graduation ceremony, Northstar secretly invites the recipient’s family to come surprise them in the audience at the moment of the announcement as well as celebrate with the team afterward.
The most special part? Recipients are nominated by their peers. These fellow team members see first-hand how hard nominees work and intimately understand their impact on the Northstar community.
As 2024 award recipient Angela Harper said, “[It’s difficult] to capture how much it means to me to have won the Pat West Legacy Award, because to be selected from such an incredible pool of teachers is such an honor. It’s BEYOND an honor. It is truly a joy to work here. Our school is a place of so much support and love for the kids, and to feel it as a faculty member is just overwhelmingly wonderful.”
After Pat West passed away in early 2026, her daughter Jessica and son Jamie presented the award to the ninth winner, Marissa Downs.
“It was a full circle moment for me,” said Downs, “Jessica trained me when I first got to Northstar, so it was really special to have her be the one to present it now.”
The award continues to honor the dedicated and hardworking faculty and staff. As Northstar grows, Dr. West’s legacy lives on in this special annual tradition.