Arts:
A person who enriches the arts in our community.

(2005 Awardee - Connie Walsworth)
Connie shows a genuine passion for opening kid’s minds & hearts to the arts. Her initial efforts began when her son entered kindergarten and she helped with auction projects.  She was quickly recognized as someone who wanted to be in the classroom and who could do incredible things with kids, specializing in glass work.  She likes to understand the vision kids see and help them bring that together into a piece of art.  She has incorporated that into a 2 year project for Margaret Mead Elementary’s 25^th anniversary. (85 words)

Business:
An owner or manager of a Sammamish enterprise who donates energy, time or resources for community causes.

(2005 Awardee -Kais Faddah)

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Courage:
Someone who overcomes great obstacles to live life to the fullest and inspires others to meet challenges.

 
(2005 Awardee - Elionel)
Elionel has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and is confined to a wheelchair.  He depends upon the assistance of others for all his personal care.  He has gained the respect and appreciation of those around him by his positive, motivated and upbeat attitude.  He is very talented, especially with digital imaging and hopes to design cars, using a computer.  Elionel was the manager for the girl’s volleyball team at Skyline and will manage the baseball team this spring.  His courage and strength of character have inspired many.

Learning Promotion:
A person whose enriching and inspiring contributions create enthusiasm for learning.

(2005 Awardee-Rick Johnson) When Rick first started teaching the video production classes at Skyline, there were only 2 students signed up.  Last year, 186 students registered for 5 classes.  He has the kids work in teams and they are inspired by each other.  They produce 5 news programs a day – and sports highlights once a week.  He decided to let the kids start off with a hands on experience – allowing them to put together something badly, and learn from it.  He believes all kids need a place to shine in the sun.  Kids can be successful at video, even when they struggle with other studies.

Teen Challenge: Sammamish Teenager who shows a passion for helping others, for giving service to our community, and for being a shining example inspiring his or her peers and younger generations to follow suit

(2005 Awardee - Whitney Peterson) Whitney “sparkles” when she talks about her relationship with Kelsey, a classmate with special needs.  You can tell how much the friendship means to her.  Whitney has not only befriended Kelsey, but several students with special needs at Eastlake High School. Her passion of horse riding and working with children with special needs has lead Whitney to volunteer at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Woodinville. She is the President of the Washington State Quarter Horse Association, and Region 1 Director of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association.  This year she is instrumental in planning a leadership conference for the region.  Whitney is also involved in, City Team Soup Kitchen, fund raising for Tsunami victims, and Diversity Club.

Trevor Price Children's Award:
A Sammamish youth 13 years old or younger whose initiative and caring sets an example for his/her peers.

(2005 Awardee - Meg)
Each day Meg strives to help the special needs kids in her class and her school.  Meg has enjoyed working with the special needs students at her school since 3rd grade.  She is also a member of the Student Council, elected Governor of her colony in class and has helped to organize the school play.  She has donated her hair to Locks for Love and is on the safety patrol.  Kids look up to Meg and she thrives on helping out.  She is hoping to be a research scientist or a surgeon.  She plays guitar and her role model is Marie Curie.

Unsung Hero:
A person who goes beyond expectations in an inspirational and positive manner.

 
(2005 Awardee -Cheri Gorder)
Cheri believes that the way to connect to community and feel grounded is to get involved.  She inspires others by her years of involvement in schools, church and community.  Cheri has served at every local level of PTSA, is a school volunteer and substitute teacher.  She helped to open her church facilities to the community, has lead parenting classes, supported the Sammamish Youth Board, attended youth camps as counselor, gathered community information to present to King County, been involved with Sammamish Parks, Relay for Life, soccer coaching, and Sammamish Community Center Task Force.  She often loans her truck to friends and neighbors, cooks them dinner and encourages neighborhood gatherings.

Youth Advocate:
A person who inspires and supports Sammamish youth, advocating for their interests in the community.

(2005 Awardee - Jaynee Cadrez)
Jaynee has made advocating for Sammamish teens more than a volunteer position - it's become her life's work and passion. To date, Jaynee has presented to over 25,000 teens at various schools and organizations in our community. In just the last two years, she’s served on three local volunteer boards in the area – including serving as PTSA President. She’s worked with Sammamish Youth as a counselor, mentor, coach and volunteer. This last year, Jaynee founded the “Life House”, which features teen artwork, poetry slams, classes and counseling for local teens and published how to "Get Real with Teens" for The National Eating Disorder Association.

Spirit of Sammamish:
A person who embodies the highest level of commitment to the community.

(2005 Awardee - Mary Trask)
Mary realizes the importance of simple acts of kindness and a shoulder to lean on during a challenging time. She specializes in asking what people need, then searching her wide community network, to see who can fill that need. She is involved in supporting many organizations which benefit local families and community efforts:  Kids Without Borders, PTSA, The Villages, Northwest Harvest, Hopelink, and many more.  Her contribution to society is how she involves everyone she meets in volunteer work. She believes that those who give freely and compassionately of themselves to uplift others are the ones most enriched – especially kids.

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