Issaquah honors 19 for outstanding leadership, service
Published 12:05 pm Thursday, May 29, 2014
Issaquah honored its community leaders May 22, singling out 19 for awards in a variety of categories. The Community Awards Banquet, now in its 35th year, was presented by the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. Presenters, honorees and their families filled the banquet room at the Hilton Garden Inn for the festivities.
Skip Rowley with Rowley Properties, the event’s title sponsor, said he had been to all 35 programs before introducing two young ladies, third graders from Leona Keltner’s class at Issaquah Valley Elementary. Anna Dennis and Raelynn Pesce-Carusa both gave speeches about all the things they love about Issaquah, which lit the room up with smiles.
“Let’s choose to make Issaquah a great place not because we have to but because we want to,” said Anna.
The Volunteer of the Year Award went to Suzie Kuflik, who delivers meals to shut-ins and also helps at the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank. She started the Angel program that assists high school students in need, and the Tiger Mountain breakfast program, among many other good deeds.
Karen Donovan, with the Downtown Issaquah Association, was honored with the Environmental Excellence Award for keeping Issaquah beautiful with projects such as the hanging flower baskets downtown. The Kiwanis Human and Spiritual Values Award recipient was Jan Bennett.
The Caring Community Awards are sponsored by Life Enrichment Options, AtWork! and The Tavon Center. The Adult Volunteer winner was Becky Gordon and the youth awards went to Eastside Catholic School senior Sydney Weber and Bella Mancini.
The Issaquah Schools’ Foundation Golden Apple Award was given posthumously to Vicki Hoffman. Her husband, Dan, and daughter, Ashley, received the award on her behalf.
Fischer Meats owner Chris Chiechi, “purveyor of the carnivorous,” was honored by the chamber as the Business Person of the Year.
Illuminate owner Cecilia Gambill was crowned the new “Queen of Issaquah,” then directly after that surprise she was awarded Salmon Days Festival Volunteer of the Year. She looked very regal in her crown and robe.
Retired carpenter Ralph Doellefeld was inducted into the Salmon Days Spawner Roll, receiving a handmade leather salmon as did Gambill. He was called a mechanical wizard, human Swiss Army knife and Superman all in a few breaths by presenters Robin Kelley and Eileen Barber.
The Rotary students of the year, one senior from each high school, were Issaquah High School’s Amanda Levenson; Tiger Mt. High School’s Taryn Frazier and Liberty High School’s Jeremy Stroming. Levenson is a science wiz-kid with a 4.0 GPA in the sciences, Frazier aspires to be an occupational therapist and Stroming is a national merit scholar and a Washington State aerospace scholar.
The Issaquah Education Association’s Advocate of the Year went to Marie Duke.
In the Youth Leadership category, honors student Erika Kumar was cited for her involvement with the Issaquah Community Network, the city’s youth advisory board, the Drug Free Youth Coalition, and many more — while maintaining excellent grades.
The Sportsperson of the Year, Greg Morris, was not present for the award sponsored by the Issaquah Park Board. The Park Board’s volunteer of the year was a very enthusiastic Fred Nystrom.
For her selfless service to the city, community leadership, and thoughtful analysis, Robin Callahan with the Issaquah Schools Foundation was honored as the Citizen of the Year. She was referred to as a champion for schools, kids and all things Issaquah.
The final award of the evening was for an individual who will join others in the Issaquah Hall of Fame.
Mayor Fred Butler presented the award to former Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger, who he called a “mentor and someone I can turn to for advice.”
Connie Fletcher, with Kiwanis, left, and Robin Kelley with the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, reveal the tails of two special awards. The salmon were hand-crafted from leather.
Raelynn Pesce-Carusa speaks about how much she enjoys living in Issaquah.
Cecilia Gambill, owner of Illuminate Contracting LLC, was crowned the new Queen of Issaquah.
The Salmon Days Spawner Roll Award is presented to Ralph Doellefeld, by Robin Kelley of The Issaquah Chamber, while Issaquah City Councilmember and Salmon Days volunteer Eileen Barber looks on.
Rotary Students of the Year from left, Issaquah High School’s, Amanda Levenson; Tiger Mt. High School’s Taryn Frazier and Jeremy Stroming from Liberty High School.
Robin Callahan of the Issaquah School’s Foundation thanks the audience for her Citizen of the Year award.
