In the Murray City School District, Cris Westerfield is often described as the "connective tissue" that binds the community together. As the Title III & Refugee Coordinator, Cris has spent the last 18 years ensuring that every family, regardless of where they started their journey, finds a place of safety and success in Murray. Her tireless advocacy for multilingual and refugee students has earned her the 2026 Pinnacle Award, a fitting tribute to a leader who embodies this year’s theme, "Together We’re Unlimited."

Cris’s unique approach to education support is informed by her background in emergency services and LifeFlight. She brings a "heart of gold" and a sense of calm urgency to her work, often acting as a first responder for families in transition. Whether she is helping a newly arrived family navigate the school system or organizing massive donations of food and clothing on the eve of a holiday break, Cris is always "showing up" for those who need it most.

One of Cris's most transformative contributions is her work building bridges between immigrant families and local law enforcement. Recognizing the deep-seated fear many refugees feel toward authority, she pioneered partnership events with the Murray Police Department to foster mutual understanding. In one poignant example, she helped bridge a cultural gap by explaining that in some countries, exiting a vehicle during a traffic stop is a sign of respect, though it may be misinterpreted here. By facilitating these vital conversations, Cris has "literally created a safer, more empathetic environment" for our families.

From managing complex district-wide data to organizing the annual multilingual registration night, Cris’s "logistical precision is unmatched". Yet, despite her massive contributions, she remains remarkably humble, consistently redirecting praise to her team.