Inspired by an unprecedented number of honorees, 28 to be exact, it was a wonderful evening to celebrate the vast array of volunteer services represented by nine school districts in our region. On Monday, April 15, 2019, Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) Region 114 held its annual Regional Awards dinner at the Clearwater Resort in Suquamish. It certainly takes an entire community to service, harness, and showcase the qualities that make each school district unique, and the packed room exemplified the value of coming together to celebrate and share in the collective successes.
Dinner hosts Aaron Leavell, WASA Region 114 President, and Greg Lynch, Olympic ESD Superintendent, welcomed over 115 attendees to a room filled with tremendous appreciation for our community volunteers. Community Leadership Awards were presented by each district superintendent to individuals or groups in their community who have devoted their time and talents to support our schools. Their efforts have had a significant impact on education in our region and have not gone unnoticed. One after another, district superintendents shared remarkable stories of volunteer work by the honorees.
Special recognition was presented to South Kitsap Superintendent Karst Brandsma, North Kitsap School District Executive Director of Teaching & Learning Jeffrey Sweeney, and Central Kitsap School District Superintendent David McVicker, as they received the WASA Retirement Award. In addition, David McVicker was honored by a standing applause as he received the regional WASA Award of Merit for his incredible career and notable leadership and involvement in advocating for our region’s educational funding at the local, state and federal levels.
Below is a list of the honorees along with some photos of the event:
Community Leadership Honorees by District:
- Bremerton School District – presented by Superintendent Aaron Leavell to Bob and Carolyn Perkins, Steve and Lois Wexler, Lee and Christina Marvin (Abundant Life Foursquare Church)
- Brinnon School District – presented by Superintendent Trish Beathard to Tanya Barnett, John Nowak, and Matt Tyler
- Central Kitsap School District – presented by Superintendent David McVicker to Monika Scotti
- Chimacum School District – presented by Superintendent Rick Thompson to Nikki Casal, Piper Diehl, Kelly Liske, and Staci Matthes
- North Kitsap School District – presented by Superintendent Laurynn Evans to Michele Laboda of North Kitsap Fire & Rescue
- North Mason School District – presented by Superintendent Dana Rosenbach to Spencer Pruitt
- Port Angeles School District – presented by Superintendent Marty Brewer to Pat Hall
- Sequim School District – presented by Superintendent Gary Neal to Larry Jeffryes, Dave and Erin Henderson
- South Kitsap School District – presented by Superintendent Karst Brandsma to South Kitsap Fire and Rescue, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, and the Port Orchard Police Department
WASA Retirement Awards:
- Presented by South Kitsap School District Deputy Superintendent Jay Villars to Superintendent Karst Brandsma
- Presented by North Kitsap School District Superintendent Laurynn Evans to Jeffrey Sweeney
- Presented by OESD Superintendent Greg Lynch to Central Kitsap Superintendent David McVicker
WASA Award of Merit:
- Presented by OESD Superintendent Greg Lynch to Central Kitsap Superintendent David McVicker
