The Corvallis Gazette-Times/Albany Democrat-Herald poll of readers on "Top of the Valley" yielded this honor for Kriste: She was selected Best Community Art Teacher. The award notes:

"Kriste York taught elementary school for 12 years before helping to open Muddy Creek Charter School in rural Benton County in 2008. This fall, she continued her recovery from a stroke she suffered while undergoing brain surgery."

Members of the community voted for Kriste in recognition of her recent work with her former grade school students and the classes she has begun teaching at Linn-Benton Community College. She has also given many hours sharing her knowledge of the digital storytelling medium with friends, fellow artists and others. The 2020 Project is one venue for that teaching.

Kriste was also a finalist in the "Visual Artist" category for her work in digital storytelling.

Congratulations, Kriste!