Any parent of a child with special needs in Sharon, whether or not the student is in an out-of-town placement, was free to make a nomination. The nominee's could live outside Sharon and can be a friend, neighbor, bus driver, coach, teacher, etc. All those who were nominated were recognized.

More than 200 people attended the awards evening. All recipients were presented with a gift and a certificate of recognition from SSEPAC as well as certificates of recognition from state Senators Jo Ann Sprague, R-Walpole, and Brian Joyce, D- Milton. Additionally, at the close of the event, Suzanne Gervais Peyton, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Special Educational Parent Advisory Councils presented outgoing SSEPAC President, Susan Linehan, a "Leadership Award" in recognition of her efforts on behalf of special needs students locally and statewide.

The Appreciation Award Recipients were:

Students: Nina Melia, Linda Melia, Conni Melia, Taylor Theodore, Brooke Theodore, and Corey Theodore.

Other special citizens recognized included: Nicole Conley, Lisa Cummings, Muriel Gerofsky, Wendy Van Dyke, Michael and Nancy Borr, Dr. Jacob Shapiro, Noelle Farry, Susan Linehan

Transportation: Jack Cosgrove, Linda Moscaritolo

School Administration: Arlene Grubert

Children's Center: Christina Carter, Linda Salon, Amy Steinberg, Kim Moore, Kate Southworth, Eileen Odabashian, Jane McNamara

East Elementary: Varla Smith, Michele King

Cottage Street: Tracey O'Hara, Donna Kyed

Heights: Michael Molinari, Rhonda Bennett, M. Bernadette Dawson, Beth Vitulli, Kathleen Farnon, Robin Stewart, Heather Cary, Cynthia Leary, Elisa Goodwin, Richard Cushing, Kimberly Folan, Elizabeth Darby, Lori Happnie

Middle School: Mathilda Lanzel, Gregory Greco, Nancy Pearlstein, Daron Zenack, Jeni Oifer, Lisa Redpath, Diane Halpern

High School: Michael Perron, Michael Murray, Wendy Nason, Kristine Heck, Susan Young, Marjorie Mitlin, Cheryl Fisher, John Collins, Rhoda Sutton, Dr. Mark Hoffman.