S.T.A.R.R. and Sumner/Bonney Lake Communities for Families Coalition

Community Impact and Unsung Hero Awards 2008
Honoring individuals who have contributed to the health and well-being of our community - and who often aren't recognized for their efforts. Most who receive this award give time and talent on an unpaid basis or our those wonderful staff members who go way 'above and beyond' the call of duty in serving our students.

• Carly Fitzpatrick
  Organizational skills are a must when you take on the tasks of magnitude as this young woman has done.   In addition to the choices she makes everyday to improve the lives of others, she also chose to chair this past year’s Community Dinner at Sumner High School.   Not only did she arrange for the grant that paid for a full holiday meal, she wanted to make sure this event was a winter wonderland.  She coordinated donations that provided a children’s play area full of activity stations, a tree loaded with toys and a visit from Santa.   She did this through healthy delegation, hard work and persistence coupled with a huge heart.   But that wasn’t all for this benefit planner, this month she also organized a community talent show fundraiser to support a local teacher battling with cancer.  This event brought together over 1,000 community members.  Carly Fitzpatrick does all these things while balancing a strict academic and athletic workload of which she is very successful.
• Leota Musgrave
  Senior means energy when it comes to community spirit from this wonderful person.  Her passion to have a positive place for youth is represented around the Community.   She has been involved for many years with activities that range from spring egg hunts in the park to having a bench named in her honor because of her efforts to renovate Cedarview Park, which has become part of the Bonney Lake City Parks system.  In addition to all her efforts to support a fun place for youth recreation, she is also very involved as a volunteer at the Bonney Lake Senior Center and serves on their Board of Directors.  Leota Musgraves is the representative for "age is a state of mind!"
•  Sierra Espinal
  With all of the pressures that surround our youth today, this young lady has found the key to be a positive role model for youth and adults alike!   Her attitude and actions both during and after school show her commitment to help and mentor others.  Her peers trust her, so much so that they bring their problems and concerns to her for discussion.  She is caring and sensitive to all students and staff at her school.  She is a leader on her schools Prevention team to help others make healthy choices, standing firm on her morals and standards, leading others down the same path.  She understands how important it is for people to feel as if they truly belong with equality.  All this is amazing considering Sierra Espinal is a 6th Grader at Mountain View Middle School!!
• Susan McCammon
  There is something truly magical about the clowning around efforts of this fine woman.  She is an active member of Bonney Lake Lion's Club, participating in Lions for Kid's House, not only serving her hometown community but as far away as Shelton.   She takes children from the despair of illness to a magical moment of joy as Glitterbug the Clown.  She volunteers at Camp Leo, a camp for Diabetic children, at Rainier School and Special Olympics, entertaining children with special needs.   She participates in community parades and Relay for Life, face painting and making balloon creations, all in the name of bringing the community together to help others.  Susan McCammon wears many hats to bring joy to children and adults alike!
•  Erik Swanson
  In a world that is in desperate need of young men to be a strong role model, this young man has stepped to the top and become a leader for those around him.  He has an overall character goal to leave people better than he finds them by complimenting at least 6 people a day.  He is skilled at being intentional to do the little things that make the bigger difference.  Involved in every community service put on by Sumner High School, he also believes in “random acts of kindness” which means he doesn’t look to take recognition, but rather encourages others to look outside themselves.  One of his acts of kindness this school year has created a collective effort by students that continues.  After a fall football game, he announced his daily random act of kindness to help the Sumner High School custodians by cleaning up all the trash left after that night’s football game.  Not only did the students clean their own side, but also the side of their rival.  This effort continued all season and overflowed into the next sport as well.  Erik Swanson’s daily action of inviting students sitting alone at lunch to join him making them feel wanted and welcome is reflective of his humility and servant leadership.

Made possible by:

• Financial support for this even was generously provided by:
  Sumner School District, City of Sumner, Washington State Reducing Underage Drinking (RUaD) Grant and Title IV Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Grant.
• Donations of recognitions gifts graciously provided by:
  Mama Stortini’s Ristorante
• Community Summit and Town Hall planning committee members:
  Marilee Hill-Anderson – Director, SSD STARR Project
  Sunnie Curtis – Administrative Secretary, SSD STARR Project
  Stacy Guthmiller – Community Development Director, Calvary Community Church
  LuAnn Ugas – Sumner Family Center Coordinator, Sumner SD
  Molly Megerth – Homeless Coordinator, Sumner SD
  Renee Tinder – Pierce Co. Field Coordinator, Youth Suicide Prevention Project
  Merry Pantelleo – Parent Involvement Coordinator, Mt. View Middle School
  Kathy Henken – Parent Involvement Coordinator, Sumner Middle School
  Kathy Mundell – Family Support Generalist, Good Samaritan
  Consuella Fredericks – ABCD Outreach Worker, Tacoma Pierce Co. Health Dept.
  Sharon Cleary – Prevention Intervention Specialist, Auburn Youth Resources
  Rosalyn Alber – Kinship Navigator, Pierce Co. Relatives Raising Children Program
  Pam Page – Ministry Directory, Lake Tapps Community Church
  Joel Thompson – Executive Assistant, City of Bonney Lake
  Cindi Simmons – Community Organization Specialist, Tacoma Pierce Co. Health Dept.

15th Annual Community Summit
March 27, 2008
5:00 to 8:30 PM
Calvary Community Church in Sumner

“Believe in Tomorrow, Invest in Today!”

Neighbors, local business owners, youth representing local schools and leaders from church, civic and community organizations examined topics of importance to the health of our community! The Summit featured focus groups as well as dinner and opportunities to discuss issues important to our students and their families. Bob Ecklund, President & CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County YMCA, was the featured keynote speaker. Prior to the Summit, a Town Hall meeting was held to discuss "Reducing Underage Drinking".

Schedule of Events

Pre-Summit Event: Town Hall Meeting

Agency Displays

Community Summit Forum, Dinner and Awards

Forum topics:

• Class of 2008: Meaningful HS Diplomas
• Bonney Lake: Downtown Core Planning
• City of Sumner:  What’s New in the City?
• How Could We Have a YMCA?
• Bridging the Digital Divide Between Youth & Adults
• Youth Health Trends and Resources

Summit Keynote Address
“Believe in Tomorrow, Invest in Today!" Bob Ecklund, CEO, YMCA Tacoma-Pierce County

Wall of Fame
As a special tribute to those serving our nation, at home and abroad, a Wall of Fame was created that listed the names of individuals in the Armed Forces, AmeriCorps or Vista Volunteer programs.