Issaquah residents honored for their service at awards banquet

Residents from all across Issaquah gathered on May 8 to celebrate the 39th Annual Community Awards Banquet where 16 residents were recognized for their achievements over the previous year.

The city also gained new royalty as David Law and Johanna Miller were crowned King and Queen of Issaquah, positions that they will serve in for the next year.

Former Mayor Fred Butler was named both Citizen of the Year by the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce as well as inducted into the Hall of Fame by the city of Issaquah. Issaquah Mayor Mary Lou Pauly also presented David Kappler with a Hall of Fame award.

Bonnie Gudaitis received the Spiritual Values Award that was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah.

The Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, which held the event at the Hilton Garden Inn Seattle/Issaquah, presented Bernard Garbusjuk of Boehm’s Chocolate with the Business Person of the Year award.

In addition, the chamber recognized Charlotte Mooney as the Salmon Days Volunteer of the Year.

Wally Pereyra received the Salmon Champion award from the Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery for his salmon habitat conservation efforts.

Fred Nystrom was recognized with the inaugural Ed Pingul Award in honor of the late Issaquah Reporter sales representative and former Issaquah king who passed away in 2016.

Two students were recipients of the Rotary Students of the Year award, including Jared Putney and Will Wick.

Carolyn Santos was presented with the IEA Education Advocate of the Year award sponsored by the Issaquah Education Association.

Kim Weiss was honored with a Golden Apple Award from the Issaquah Schools Foundation.

Michelle Winterstein received the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah’s Volunteer of the Year award.

Nalu Zou was presented with the Youth Leadership Award.

Jason Rajtar received the Sports Volunteer of the Year award presented by the Issaquah Park Board.

Jan Pelroy received the Volunteer of the Year award sponsored by the Issaquah Park Board.

Bonnie Gudaitis, left, received the Spiritual Values Award which was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah. Aaron Kunkler/Staff photo

Bernard Garbusjuk of Boehm’s Chocolate was was presented with the Business Person of the Year award by the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. Aaron Kunkler/Staff photo

Issaquah mayor Mary Lou Pauly presents David Kappler with one of two Hall of Fame awards. The other was presented to Fred Butler who was also named Citizen of the Year. Aaron Kunkler/Staff photo

David Law and Johanna Miller were crowned King and Queen of Issaquah at the banquet, positions which they will serve in for the next year. Aaron Kunkler/Staff photo

Charlotte Mooney was awarded the Salmon Days Volunteer of the Year recognition by the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. Aaron Kunkler/Staff photo

Wally Pereyra received the Salmon Champion award from the Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery for his salmon habitat conservation efforts. Aaron Kunkler/Staff photo

Craig Nelson, left, president of the Rotary Club of Issaquah, accepted the inaugural Ed Pingul Award on behalf of Fred Nystrom who was unable to be at the banquet. Aaron Kunkler/Staff photo

Jared Putney, left, was one of two recipients of the Rotary Students of the Year award. Aaron Kunkler/Staff photo

Carolyn Santos was presented with the IEA Education Advocate of the Year award sponsored by the Issaquah Education Association. Aaron Kunkler/Staff photo

Kim Weiss, right, holds her Golden Apple Award from the Issaquah Schools Foundation as she returns to her seat. Aaron Kunkler/Staff photo

Will Wick received one of two Rotary Student of the Year awards at the May 8 banquet ceremony. Aaron Kunkler/Staff photo

Michelle Winterstein received the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah’s Volunteer of the Year award at the May 8 ceremony. Aaron Kunkler/Staff photo

Nalu Zou was presented with the Youth Leadership Award during the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce’s 39th Annual Community Awards Banquet. Aaron Kunkler/Staff photo