A Toast to Education
Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders
Wednesday, November 12 from 4 - 6 pm
By Degrees Foundation's annual event honoring exceptional local educators and education champions, showcasing the impact of By Degrees' future-focused programs, and raising funds to empower more students to achieve their dreams.
A Toast to Education features the Middleton Award Ceremony, which honors the legacy of Joan and the late Lyle Middleton—two remarkable Iowans who devoted their lives to supporting children and advancing education.
Nominations Open for 2025 Middleton Awards
Educator Nominations
This award is presented to an educator who has made a transformative impact on students through their work in the classroom. Eligible nominees must be current educators at Findley Elementary, Harding Middle, or North High School, where By Degrees Foundation provides programming. Nominations are accepted from current and former Findley, Harding, and North students.
Community Leader Nominations
This award will also be presented to a community member who has significantly advanced the lives of children in central Iowa through advocacy, volunteerism, public policy, philanthropy, or their professional work. To nominate a community leader, please complete the online nomination form by Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
A Toast To Education
The Middleton Award is presented to an educator and community member at our annual A Toast to Education event. The 2025 event will be held on Wednesday, November 12 from 4 - 6 pm at Chandelier in Des Moines' Highland Park neighborhood.
About Joan & Lyle Middleton
Joan and the late Lyle Middleton are longtime Des Moines residents and children's advocates. They began working with By Degrees Foundation in 1990 and supported the second cohort of students in 1996. Joan and Lyle also established the Joan and Lyle Middleton Center for Children’s Rights at Drake University School of Law and endowed the School of Education’s Urban Education Program.
Meet the 2024 Recipients of the Middleton Award
Middleton Award
for Children's Advocacy
Vernon Johnson
Vice President for Youth Education and Engagement at Oakridge Neighborhood
For over 50 years, Vernon Johnson has demonstrated an unfailing commitment to youth in our community resulting in systematic change and impacting the trajectory of countless lives. He is a risk taker whose advocacy has led to fundamental changes in youth-serving programs and human service delivery systems. Vernon’s lasting legacy is his commitment and dedication to identifying and creating solutions that meet the needs and level the playing field for at-risk youth.
Middleton Award
for Educator Excellence
Marisa Maniglia
Orchestra Teacher, North High School
Marisa Maniglia is an accomplished cellist, performer, and music educator who has showcased her talents in a variety of settings. Since 2021, she has served as the orchestra teacher at North High School and Harding Middle School. Her leadership in Des Moines Public Schools has included overseeing the Orchestra All-City Festival and the annual Summer String Camp. Under her guidance, the Northside orchestra program has flourished, expanding from 140 to 245 students.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 SPONSORS
A Toast to Education: Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders is made possible with support from these partner organizations.
2024 Presenting Sponsor
![SammonsFinancialLogo-Full-Color-Large[12].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8ba178_45319190c4a64ed3a7539511da7ab560~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_273,h_67,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/SammonsFinancialLogo-Full-Color-Large%5B12%5D.png)
Title Sponsors
Table Sponsors
