Press Room
School administrators honor regional community leaders and peers
The Washington Association of School Administrators, Columbia River Region 112, presented its annual awards May 18 at a ceremony held at Educational Service District 112. The awards recognize exemplary contributions to K-12 school districts and their students, by both members of the community and educational professionals in the six-county southwest Washington area.
The Community Leadership Award honored ten individuals or groups of individuals in the region for contributions to education in such areas as: benefit to students, leadership, motivation, success, cooperation/coordination with local districts, recognition by others and a history of service. This year's awards were presented to:
· Sandra Bishop--In recognition of her tireless volunteer work across the Hockinson School District including school fundraising activities, coordination of student academics, volunteering in the classroom, and the promotion of community service projects. (nominated by Hockinson School District);
· Tye Churchwell--In recognition of his time and support of student athletes in Wishram and Lyle school districts, as well as personal involvement in community projects and local improvement efforts to enhance the educational environment of Wishram School District. (nominated by Wishram and Lyle school districts);
· Bob Engel and Mark Klein--In recognition of their demonstrated support and tireless work in organizing and implementing the largest school construction measure in the history of Camas School District that was approved by the voters and serves as a model for other districts to follow. (nominated by Camas School District);
· Stephanie Irving--In recognition of her ongoing service and support of education through grant writing efforts, organized community events and student activities benefiting students and the community of Trout Lake School District. (nominated by Trout Lake School District);
· Mark Matthias and Ali Novinger--In recognition of their ongoing support of education and generous contributions coordinating the annual "Green Eggs and Ham" breakfast honoring Dr. Seuss' book character, the Cat-in-the-Hat, served to first grade students and parents in the Evergreen and Vancouver school districts in conjunction with Read Across America Week. (nominated by Vancouver and Evergreen school districts);
· La Center Elementary PTO Board--In recognition of their dedication and tireless volunteer work in coordinating activities and events that enrich the lives and educational experiences of students at La Center Elementary School as well as unite the community, school and families creating a positive culture within the school environment. (Recognition of Sandy Bissell, Jean Ferguson, Wendy Chord, Angie Ossenkop, Fred Ferguson, Susan Shufeldt, Shannon Casey, and Peggy Sue Snoey). (nominated by La Center School District);
· Ocean Beach Education Foundation--In recognition of their annual fundraising effort to provide scholarships for graduating seniors and classroom grants to enhance the educational experience of students and teachers in the Ocean Beach School District. (nominated by Ocean Beach School District);
· Quality Schools Task Force --In recognition of their time, effort, and passion to ensure a quality and improving educational system for students of Stevenson-Carson School District. (nominated by Stevenson-Carson School District);
· Wahkiakum Community Foundation -- In recognition of the support provided through liaison activities, grant awards, and funding classroom resources to enhance educational opportunities for students in the Naselle-Grays River Valley School District. (nominated by Naselle-Grays River Valley School District); and
· Washougal Schools Foundation -- In recognition of their vision and success to establish a Foundation and successfully solicit donations to provide academic and vocational scholarships and mini-grants to support learning programs and initiatives. (Recognition of Roger Daniels, Norm Paulson, Carol Lackey, Mary Hargrave, Susan Stauffer, and Ernie Suggs.) (nominated by Washougal School District).
The Student Achievement Leadership Award was given to Battle Ground School District Director of Special Education Jane Mercier in recognition of her dedication to the education of special needs students and her leadership in shaping the attitudes of staff to provide effective instructional strategies that benefit this special population and their families.
The Award of Merit was given to Vancouver School District Superintendent Dr. John Erickson in recognition of his outstanding influence and leadership in education in the ESD 112 region, in the state of Washington, and throughout the Northwest.
Retirement Awards were presented to Woodland School District Superintendent Dr. William Hundley and Skamania School District Superintendent John Medlin.
The Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) is a professional association representing education administrators in Washington state. There are 11 WASA regions in the state, and each region annually nominates, selects and honors outstanding educational administrators and individuals in other professions who have made extraordinary contributions to K-12 education.