By: Leanne Christensen, SVCN
Every June there is a very rare and amazing event that happens here in the Snoqualmie Valley called the Rise and Shine Breakfast sponsored by the Snoqualmie Valley Community Network.
Amazing because it shines the light on literally dozens of caring and dedicated community volunteers, and rare because so often our “thanks” for the overabundance of goodwill/good works of these types of individuals in our community goes unmentioned. Most of these individuals prefer that their acts of kindness, selfless volunteering and passionate caring efforts remain anonymous; however the Snoqualmie Valley Community Network realizes the importance of allowing these altruistic individuals to “shine” and to receive the acclaim they so truly deserve.
The following is a list of those awarded at 15th Annual Rise and Shine breakfast on June 2nd at Camp River Ranch in Carnation. If you happen to see any of these individuals in your community, please take a moment to thank them for their contribution in making our lives and the lives of our children healthier, safer and more meaningful here in the valley. This year’s recipients are:
Modifying/Changing Institutional and governmental Policies:
Glynis Bawden, Greg Bawden
Providing Support & Opportunities for Children That Enhance Protection & Strengthen Communities:
Jen Heger, Merle Judd, Marcia Tuttle-Ryon, Jessica Kitz, Barbara Nickles, Sally Rasmussen, Debbie McGrath, Karen Miller, Rhonda Oord, Pamela Parks, Laura Tisdale, and Jennifer Fisher
The 2011 Professional Legacy Award was given to: Sue Eastgard
Sue Eastgard is retiring as the Executive Director for the Youth Suicide Prevention Program. Since 1997 Sue has championed the development, implementation and delivery of programs to reduce the incidence of youth suicide in Washington State. She has produced educational materials and written innovative classroom curriculum, and over the years she has trained thousands of people how to recognize the signs for suicide and how to get help for those in need.
The 2011 Youth Legacy Award was given to: Cedarcrest HS Senior Josh Denison
Josh Denison is one of the original founders of the Riverview Youth Council. Josh and this dedicated group of young volunteers aspire to “Be the Change” in their community, by providing education, increasing knowledge and raising awareness of substance abuse, and bullying prevention. Josh has been a leader and a vital part of helping to create safe, fun and healthy activities for youth in our community.
Josh has a hand in more initiatives and efforts in our valley than most adults through his: participation in student panels, attending Anti-Drug Coalition conferences, sharing testimony with state legislators in Olympia on more than one occasion, and inspiring other youth to become more involved supporting diversity, awareness and understanding.
Thank you to all of the above mentioned volunteers, who truly make our valley shine everyday. We are so grateful for your passion, dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of the children and families here in the Snoqualmie Valley.
Network Vice-Chair and Riverview School District Director of Special Services, Ken Heikkila explains how the categories of awards align with environmental prevention strategies.
2011 Rise and Shine Awardees
Dr. Anthony Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Riverview shares how Glynis Bawden inspired Superintendent Robertson to nominate her for the award.
Glynis Bawden Conrad Robertson (Anthony Smith)
Modifying/Changing Policies (changing institutional and government policies)
Glynis Bawden possesses the unique combination of intelligence, maturity, work ethic and positive attitude that makes her a leader in all aspects of life. She has been the student representative for two years to the Riverview School Board.
Network Board Chair Steve Bates presents the Rise and Shine Award to Greg Bawden following Riverview School District Board President, Lori Oviatt’s words of appreciation for his leadership.
Greg Bawden Lori Oviatt, Carol VanNoy, Danny Edwards, Dan Pflugrath
Modifying/Changing Policies (changing instructional and government policies)
Greg has put in endless and countless hours working for the students, families and educators in the Riverview School District a member of the school board. Greg makes the Valley shine by loving it, supporting it, protecting it for today and future generations.
Carnation Elementary teacher, Elizabeth Wing expresses her gratitude to Jen Heger for her generous contributions of heart, time, and connection.
Jen Heger Elizabeth Wing
Providing Support and opportunities for activities that enhance protection and strengthen community.
Jen has great compassion for all students of diverse needs and is an inspiration for their writing. Students of all ability levels have been helped by her volunteer efforts.
Merle Judd Tanya Quandt
Providing Support and opportunities for activities that enhance protection and strengthen community.
Merle is a longtime, loyal volunteer at the North Bend Senior Center. She is 79 years young, giving of her time and treasure because she loves her community. She is a model for others in the community reflecting that no matter your age you can contribute to make the valley a healthy place for your neighbors.
Encompass Executive Director, Gregory Malcolm, tells about the difference Marcia Tuttle-Ryon makes for children at Encompass.
Marcia Tuttle Ryon Clay Eals (Gregory Malcolm presenting)
Providing Support and opportunities for activities that enhance protection and strengthen community.
Marcia has lived in the valley for just two years, and eagerly shares her skills with young children inspiring them to create and learn. As an artist in residence at Encompass, Marcia inspires staff and students with her quiet manner and her skills in working with young children.
Encompass’ Corissa McGehe tells how much she values Jessica Kitz’ contribution to Encompass. Jessica was not able to be at the breakfast.
Jessica Kitz (Corissa McGehe)/ Kristina Steffen
Providing Support and opportunities for activities that enhance protection and strengthen community.
Jessica is an Encompass alumni now grown up and giving back to the program and community that helped her thrive. She provides classroom support and helps young children understand differences and the gifts we all have to share with others.
Celina Travis expresses gratitude for Barbara Niekles’ help in her Encompass classroom.
Barbara Niekles Celina Travis
Providing Support and opportunities for activities that enhance protection and strengthen community.
Barb makes the Valley shine by volunteering for half a day, twice a week with the preschool. Barb has done this week in and week out for two years. She is a happy, energetic woman whose willingness to help Spanish-speaking children learn English consistently impresses all who know her at Encompass. Even more important than the quantity of time she has shared with the community is the quality of the care she provides. Children gravitate towards her because they know she will nurture their growth.
Encompass program director and SVCN Board Member, Nela Cumming tells about Sally’s efforts to start a team for kids with special needs.
Sally Rasmussen Nela Cumming
Providing Support and opportunities for activities that enhance protection and strengthen community.
Sally has worked to ensure that children with Special Needs are provided a team sports experience that all other children regularly enjoy. In addition, the typically developing volunteers gain an understanding of and comfort with children who are “different” than they are.
Encompass’ Kendi Sasaki-Ross shares what inspired her to nominate Debbie McGrath.
Debbie McGrath Kendy Sasaki-Ross
Providing Support and opportunities for activities that enhance protection and strengthen community.
Debbie, a longtime valley resident, has “unconditionally” given countless hours of her time, to the community, in hopes of enhancing the lives of the children and family who reside in the Snoqualmie Valley.
Susan Livingston of North Bend tells how she was inspired by Karen’s fulfilling a dream to create a program for kids through Cascade Covenant Church.
Karen Miller Susan Livingston
Providing Support and opportunities for activities that enhance protection and strengthen community.
Karen recognized a need for a robust, healthy youth ministry program in the Snoqualmie Valley. Now 10 years later, this thriving and inclusive program serves hundreds of families across the valley.
Network Board Secretary, Paula Matthysse describes how Rhonda gives selflessly to make sure that kids have a childhood.
Rhonda Oord Paula Matthysse
Providing Support and opportunities for activities that enhance protection and strengthen community.
Rhonda is a businesswoman that invests in the community through her business. She understands the diverse community and works to serve children and youth who do not have support systems through her support for a non-profit that provides birthday parties to homeless and foster children. She has a big picture perspective of the importance of kids being kids and having fun and takes this value outside of the valley to benefit other children and youth on the eastside.
Stillwater Elementary teacher, Jennifer Santamaria expresses her gratitude for Pamela Parks’ generous contribution to their students.
Pamela Parks Amy Wright/ (Jennifer Santamaria)
Providing Support and opportunities for activities that enhance protection and strengthen community.
Pamela wants to be a “behind-the-scenes” volunteer, and it is that quality that makes her so very effective. She worked along with teachers to bring a Science Docent program to students.
Dr. Anthony Smith makes the Rise and Shine award presentation to Laura Tisdale (center) and Jennifer Fisher for Conrad Robertson who could not attend the event. Laura and Jennifer led the efforts to create a PTA Council for Riverview School District.
Laura Tisdale Conrad Robertson (Anthony Smith)
Providing Support and opportunities for activities that enhance protection and strengthen community.
Building community capacity through organization and connections.
Laura is an inspiration to both new and experienced volunteers; her gentle guidance, love of children and passion for outreach are qualities that she brings to every opportunity. Her compassion and service to her community are evident as she explains the big picture details to those who are new to the volunteer arena.
Jennifer Fisher Conrad Robertson (Anthony Smith)
Providing Support and opportunities for activities that enhance protection and strengthen community.
Building community capacity through organization and connections.
Jennifer makes our Valley shine through her constant acts of kindness, teamwork, leading by her example with a nature of integrity that is all too rare in our world at times. She lifts children and volunteers up, ensuring that their efforts are recognized and most times not taking credit herself when she is most deserving.
Network Executive Director, Kristy Trione expresses gratitude to Youth Suicide Prevention Program’s retiring Executive Director, Sue Eastgard for her contributions to address the risk of suicide in the Valley.
2011 Professional Legacy Award
Sue Eastgard Kristy Trione
- · Providing Information, education, workshops, seminars, presentations, public announcements, forums, and web based communication
- · Enhancing skills, workshops and curriculum designed to develop skills and competencies to prevent harm
- · Modifying/Changing policies- advocating for changes to reduce the incidence and risk of suicide
- · Enhancing access to and quality of services
- · Advocating for change of physical design to remove lethal means to suicide
- · Strengthening Coalitions—Serving on and supporting groups working to reduce the risk of youth suicide
Sue is retiring as the Executive Director for the Youth Suicide Prevention Program. Since 1997 she has championed the development, implementation and delivery of programs to reduce the incidence of youth suicide in Washington State. She has produced educational materials and written innovative classroom curriculum, trained thousands on how to recognize the signs for suicide and how to get help. She has been a steadfast partner since 2005. When the Healthy Youth Survey results showed an alarming increase in suicide risk among kids in the Valley she provided training opportunities, technical support, worked with local counselors to develop and test a curriculum for elementary students. She also helped a regional network team understand the community conditions that impact suicide risk. Her legacy is great, and she will be missed.
Network Community Coordinator, Laura Smith chokes back tears as she shares that a new category, The Youth Legacy Award was created by the board to encompass the level of Josh Denison’s outstanding contributions.
A stunned Youth Legacy Award winner and Prevention Scholarship Recipient, Josh Denison gets a standing ovation.
2011 Youth Legacy Award
- · Providing community education, increasing knowledge and raising awareness through presentations and announcements
- · Enhancing skills through providing activities designed to develop skills and competencies to build prevention capacity
- · Providing support- creating opportunities for healthy activities
- · Modifying Policies and laws- advocacy to change policies, procedures, and practices to protect young people from substance abuse
- · Strengthening coalitions- support, leadership, and coordination to engage community in reducing substance abuse
Josh Denison Snoqualmie Valley Community Network Board of Directors and Staff (Laura Smith and Anthony Smith)
Josh is one of the original founders of the Riverview Youth Council. It was his work for the 2008 Key Leader’s Summit on environmental prevention, and his attendance at a week long Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America conference that lead to the formation of the council to give youth more of a voice in the community. In his role on the council over the last 3 years, Josh has been a remarkable example of walking the talk. He is willing to speak out about his healthy choices and to take a firm stand against unhealthy ones. Josh has helped plan healthy social events for teens, participated in community awareness events about suicide and bullying, planned and participating in service projects such as Tent City, and planning and co-facilitating the Be the Change leadership conference. When critical legislation was in need of student perspective, Josh traveled to Olympia and when he could not go, provided video testimony to legislators. He maintains a firm commitment to the Youth Council and its initiatives while achieving high grades, successful athletic achievement, and participation in the band as a section lead.
Josh’s participation in student panels has helped expand diversity awareness and understanding. His participation and frank nature has helped leaders in our community become more aware of challenges that face different populations of people in our community. At a recent community awareness event, Josh and his panel members spoke frankly about bullying and specifically any bullying related to GLBTQ that they see in their day to day happenings.
In addition to his Riverview Youth Council efforts, Josh makes this valley shine as a long time Senior Center volunteer, as a volunteer coach for the Snoqualmie Valley Track Club, various runs, as a participant on the Riverview School District Nutrition Committee, and for growing up in a family that has been recognized as an outstanding volunteer team. Josh has a hand in more initiatives and efforts in the valley than most adults, and certainly more than we know about, or that he can remember.
It is with great pleasure that the Network Board recognizes Josh Denison as the first recipient of a new category of award created to encompass the breadth of contribution from one young member of the community: the Youth Legacy Award.
Network Board Chair Steve Bates helps Secretary Paula Matthysse hold up a quilt representing how all parts and pieces come together to create something with beauty and meaning, just as the Network is “creating a caring community” through Rise and Shine and other initiatives. Participants were asked to reflect upon and share what they value in the community and what they will take away from the awards event. Connection, Friendship, Gratitude, Valuing Kids, opportunity, Love, Involvement, Altruism, inspiration, kindness, generosity, and authenticity were among the words scribbled on the post-its.
Network Board Chair, and SVSD Lead Counselor Steve Bates tells the audience that the Network is recruiting new board members. Those interested can contact svcn@msn.com or call 425-333-6614.
Youth Legacy and Prevention Scholarship recipient Josh Denison
Photos by David Trione
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