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

Jim Henderson

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

Laurel & Skyler Zoppi

Laurel and Skyler, a mother-son team, have owned True Martial Arts since 1995. A family-oriented school, their mission is to inspire and motivate people through martial arts training. The Zoppi's believe the skills their students learn surpass the training floor and can apply to all aspects of their lives. The Zoppi's provide tuition waivers, and take pride providing jobs to 32 Sammamish youth. Laurel and Skyler also teach free self defense and safety classes, and perform exhibitions for community events and groups. They organize fundraisers for the M.S Society and Hopelink, and instructors facilitate yearly Autism Day activities. They are mentors and emphasize leadership skills to young employees and students of all ages.

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

The Rapada Family

Faced with life - altering challenges, Cal and Amy Rapada hope their story inspires others.  At age 4, their then healthy son Zach began a rare neurodegenerative disease. For twelve years, while battling his condition, they and their daughter Emily have devoted themselves to helping families with disabilities.  Cal, an attorney, has advocated for laws and schools for children’s sake.  Amy, a former educator, has presented workshops throughout the United States on “challenged children.”  She developed curriculum for and launched special needs programs at many churches.  The Rapadas also published The Special Needs Ministry Handbook, a support resource, available at major retailers worldwide.

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

Don Braman

Don watched his mother work endlessly as a teacher - so he knew he didn't want to teach.  She worked too hard. Yet, as he began coaching teenagers in soccer, he realized he loved the challenge.   He had discovered his passion: working with kids.  Fourteen years later, he has become indispensable to Skyline and its students.  From teaching IB Theory of Knowledge, to coaching Skyline Soccer, to leading the Critical Friends Group, Don has given his all to the school and the community. He is gifted at helping quiet students find their own voice.

 

Teen Spirit:
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

Christian McOmber

Sophomore at Eastlake High School

Christian is an Eastlake sophomore, Eagle Scout and church volunteer.  Inspired by his autistic younger brother, Christian has a passion for volunteering.  As examples, he is part of Eastlake's TRIAD; and started Camelot Club, an after-school program for Inglewood students with special needs. As part of his volunteering, he put on a play where the actors were kids with special needs. The ticket price was donated food for the food bank and gifts for battered women and children. More recently, Christian organized a homecoming food drive, and served as last year's spokesperson for the Autism Speaks Walk, giving the kick off speech. 

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

Lucas Thrun

Age 11, 4^th grade at ISamantha Smith

During his fourth grade class at Samantha Smith Elementary School, Lucas overheard a gentleman from Uganda speak of unsafe water in his impoverished country. Based on hearing this story, he decided to raise money to drill a well in Africa. Lucas started with a lemonade stand and its success allowed him to expand by selling snacks at community baseball games. Lucas’ passion became infectious and the community also responded. Within six months, he had collected three thousand dollars! Lucas is now eleven and knows his work is not done. In 2008, once again with the help of family and friends, he aims to collect an additional four thousand dollars and to create greater global awareness. This humble child is turning dreams into reality and is positively affecting the lives of thousands of Africans.

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

John Hardt
 

John works as a custodian at Samantha Smith Elementary School.  In the words of a 4^th grader, “he’s been working there for ‘decades’ , comes every day to work showing loyalty to his job, and gets up extra early to vacuum classrooms so the school looks clean.”  He spends hours looking for lost retainers, takes care of the crayfish when they pass away and uses his own money to buy candy for kids that help with the “trash train.”  The children feel “he teaches them how to be a loyal employee by having a good spirit even though being a janitor can be a difficult job. Mr. Hardt also shows that anyone can be a hero if you are hard working, go beyond expectations and teach others.”  John is definitely their “unsung hero!”

 

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

Curtis Betzler

Curtis, an eight grade Science teacher at Beaver Lake Middle School, spearheads the school-wide humanitarian program helping impoverished children in South Africa. Students promote, collect, sort, and box educational supplies and comfort items. Curtis then travels to Africa to ensure delivery and distribution to those in need. Local students gain an understanding of their ability to impact change upon their world, and the difference they make by giving. The work has grown beyond BLMS; recently he co-founded a non-profit, Generation Joy, to further promote worthwhile humanitarian giving as Kids Helping Kids. Curtis also coaches cross country team and is the creator and advisor of Beaver Lake Environmental Education Preservation Organization (BLEEPO), a popular after school club.

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

Lori Horton

Lori truly enjoys being a part of Sammamish and gives selflessly of her time and energy.  Her volunteer leadership and activity coordination skills are known throughout the community.  Lori’s devotion to children shows itself by her ability to jump in with a high - energy level, sense of humor and enthusiasm wherever needed. Lori is the foundation that holds many organizations and committees together.  From chairing PTSA auctions, graduation ceremonies and booster clubs, jamborees, and bingo nights to helping families in-need by donating meals and Christmas gifts, Lori makes volunteering fun and is dedicated to helping those around her for the purpose of making Sammamish a better place for all