The 2025 SPARC Excellence in Auxiliary Award Winners
In one of the highlights of this year's 10th Anniversary SPARC National Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, auxiliary leaders from two member schools and one business partner were honored with SPARC's Excellence in Auxiliary Award.
This award is presented annually by SPARC to auxiliary professionals who have demonstrated distinguished leadership, innovation, creativity, and success in their field, including a commitment to high-quality education and to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in auxiliary programming. Recipients are also recognized for offering exemplary support to the SPARC community by being a role model, support, or mentor to peers.
SPARC Executive Director Nat Saltonstall was on hand to present the awards to Dan O'Neil of Episcopal High School, the auxiliary team of Open Window School--Euan Oswald, Michelle Doiran, and Chanel Sudds--and Chuchi Arevalo, Founder and CEO of SPARK Business Academy.
Dan O'Neil
Episcopal High School, Alexandria, Virginia
Dan was introduced by SPARC Senior Advisor Karen McCann MClelland who described Dan as a “visionary leader” who “inspires colleagues across the country to think bigger, take chances, and always remember that auxiliary programs are about joy, connection, and growth.” Karen noted Dan’s many accomplishments, including increasing the weekly enrollment rate to 99.7% and launching a 125-household pool membership, all while leading a staff of 100 and managing over 750 campers. “He’s already set a new standard and record for innovation and impact,” Karen said.
Euan Oswald, Michelle Doiran, and Chanel Sudds
Open Window School, Bellevue, Washington
In his introduction, SPARC Senior Advisor David Sullivan praised Open Window School's auxiliary team as dedicated to constant learning and development. “This team is actively engaged in professional learning and sharing,” David said. “They model for all of us a growth mindset and willingness to engage. While independently they are each deserving of recognition, collectively they bring forth the highest values of SPARC.”
Chuchi Arevalo
Founder and CEO, SPARK Business Academy
Senior Advisor Bob Rojee introduced Chuchi, remarking on his pioneering work and noting that his “expertise and support elevates the work happening in our schools every day.” Bob quoted Katie Amick, Director of Auxiliary Services at the St. Paul’s Schools, who described Chuchi as someone who “deeply cares and invests in the people he partners with. He doesn’t just care about the work; he cares about the whole person, and the whole child, with his whole heart."
SPARC is thrilled to recognize these outstanding auxiliary and business leaders and to have them as a part of our community! If you know someone you'd like to nominate for 2026, you can find a nomination form and read more about the awards on our web site.
The Excellence in Auxiliary Award was created to recognize auxiliary excellence among the many outstanding individuals, programs, and schools within the SPARC community. Learn more about the awards here, and click here to become a SPARC member today!