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

Sondra Hopper

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

Deb Sogge

Deb Sogge loves planting the seeds of small business and watching them grow.  Working with Sammamish businesses since 2001, and her current Executive Directorship of the Chamber of Commerce, has allowed her to provide leadership in the growth of our city through business and community interaction. Shop around Sammamish, the Farmers Market, the Sammamish Loyalty program, are only a few of the projects Deb supports that reflect her desire to grow local business through community engagement.

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

Matt Larsen

At the age of 16 Matt knew his life would never be the same after his father suffered two strokes. Upon his return from the hospital his father needed medical help as well as an advocate in dealing with the maze of medical health agencies. Matt was able to stabilize the situation by working two jobs. Although always tired, his motto is to “keep moving and do the right thing”. His hope is to someday open a non-profit foundation that will assist others in finding the necessary financial and medical help should a family crisis arise.

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

Karen Bach

Since 1994, Karen has been educating and inspiring her students in Social Studies, Language Arts, and Leadership. Through the Leadership Program she created, Karen teaches her students to contribute to charitable organizations and gives them the opportunity to succeed and be held accountable. One of the most popular classes at Beaver Lake Middle School, Karen's students have sent Valentine Gifts to people in South Africa, raised a record amount for the Issaquah Food Bank, Projects for the Sammamish Town Center, and many other humanitarian causes.

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

Max Sussman

A National Society of High School Scholar, Max Sussman is committed “to being the change he wishes to see in the world.”  A senior at Eastlake and the Community High School for Jewish Studies, Max works two jobs and is passionate about community service. Max has raised thousands of dollars in “The Big Climb” (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) and through his participation in Relay for Life (American Cancer Society). As a member of the Sammamish Youth Board, Max helped plan Children’s Hospital’s The Battle of the Bands for the past two years. Max hopes to inspire teens here in Sammamish to make good choices and impact our community in a positive way. 

Trevor Price Award:
A Sammamish youth whose initiative and caring sets an example for his/her peers.

Monisha Gulabani

Monisha  Gulabani is the very definition of pluck and resolve. After losing her leg to cancer, she inspired those around her by redefining a “new normal” and quickly returning to the active life she had before the cancer diagnoses. She credits the community that is supportive of amputees for giving her the opportunity to become active in skiing and wheel chair tennis. “It’s who I am that is important, not my disability”. She is confident in what she does, and she finds that her confidence rubs off on those around her.

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

Julia Williams

Julia is a caring and concerned citizen of Sammamish. In 2007 Julia founded Phoenix Hope, a non- profit organization inspired by her oldest son, Rance just weeks prior to his tragic death.  Julia donates hundreds of hours to its causes. In 2008 Julia prepared and served meals to the residents of Tent City – often bringing gifts to each one, orchestrated coat and food drives, worked with local law enforcement creating and funding emergency programs for domestic violence victims, mentored young women in challenging situations, bought groceries for struggling families, and purchased airline tickets to send abuse victims to safety and drug addicts to rehab. Julia declares it is her desire to inspire others to “touch one life today” and by doing so she shares her son’s dream of leaving this world a little better place.

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

Brent Campbell

Brent Cambell educates both teens and parents on the affects of drug and alcohol abuse through his Real World program. Brent speaks from experience and started sharing his experiences and talking with kids and parents on Sunday nights. The program has transformed into a regular presentation schedule at school assemblies for kids and parents and makes himself available at any time and place to help. Brent objective is to educate kids and help them make the ‘right’ choice in life; to say no to drugs and alcohol.  Brent has recently graduated from the FBI’s Citizen Corp.

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

Dellann Elliott

Executive Director

Chris Elliott Fund for Glioblastoma Brain Cancer Research

When Christopher Stewart Elliott was 39, his daughter 8 and his son 5, a tragic twist of fate catapulted Dellann into a movement that has literally changed the way brain cancer patients are diagnosed and treated worldwide.  When most would crumble, Dellann began her mission to eliminate the suffering and pain she and her family has known for others.  Dellann formed the Chris Elliott Fund and has gone on to change lives everywhere, honored by Harvard University as a national Glioblastoma patient advocate and part of their “dream team”, has received many local and national awards, has put Sammamish on the map as the home of the Chris Elliott Fund and has raised nearly $1,000,000 for research, education and awareness.