Honorary Awards - 2019 Awards

WASA Honorary Awards

WASA annually honors and recognizes outstanding educational administrators and individuals in other professions who have made extraordinary contributions to K–12 education.

Based on the award type for which a person is nominated, the Committee will make the following considerations:

Could the nominee be considered a positive change agent in public education locally or at the state level?
Has the nominee positively affected one or more areas: Program development, staff morale, community support, student interest, learning environment, or general support for public education?
Has the nominee provided creative leadership in inspiring or motivating others to achieve or contribute to public education?
Has the nominee personally provided a special service or achieved above and beyond what is expected in the usual public school program?
Have others recognized the nominee as a force for constructive change in public education at the community and/or state level.

STATE AWARDS

Golden Gavel Award. The recipient shall be an individual, group, association, or firm that has made an outstanding contribution to public education in the state of Washington. The contribution to education should have statewide application and be of lasting value. This award does not require current or past WASA membership. One recipient per year (award not necessarily given every year).
D.A. Davidson Barbara Mertens Legacy Award. Presented to an individual or group who has had a significant impact on public education in Washington—a legacy that has a lasting influence. The person or group does not have to be a member of WASA. The award comes with a $1,000 gift from D.A. Davidson & Company that is awarded to a school, foundation, or similar in the awardee's name and at his/her direction. One recipient per year (award not necessarily given every year).
Service to WASA Award. The recipient shall have made contributions at the state level toward goals of WASA and shall not be a voting member of WASA. One recipient per year (award not necessarily given every year).
WASA Leadership Award. This award is presented to a selected WASA member who demonstrates and exemplifies outstanding leadership abilities and has made significant contributions to the field of education on a statewide level. Each region may nominate one individual from that region. The nominee must be a current member of WASA for a minimum of two years. One recipient per year.

The STATE Award process will be open from March 17 through May 3, 2021.

REGION AWARDS

WASA Student Achievement Leadership Award (one award per region). Recognizes innovative programs for the improvement of student achievement. This award is presented to select WASA members who have provided leadership for the implementation of an innovation that has resulted in measurable growth in student achievement. Ideally, the innovation can serve as a tool for modeling new programs. Each region shall nominate one individual. The nominee must be a current and active WASA member for a minimum of TWO years.
Award of Merit (one award per region). The recipient of this award shall have demonstrated effective leadership at the region level and have made a significant contribution to WASA through his/her work in the field of education in Washington. The nominee must be a current and active member of WASA for a minimum of THREE years.
Community Leadership Award. (WASA provides one plaque; additional plaques will be paid by region). This award is presented to community members or groups in recognition of their outstanding contributions toward education. Recipients are non-WASA members. Specific criteria includes: benefit to students, leadership, motivation, success, cooperation/coordination with local district, recognition by others, and history of service. One or more recipients per region, per year.
Twenty-Year Award (self-nomination). Recognizes individual’s years of service to education. This award shall be granted to any school administrator who has served as an administrator for 20 years in public school districts. The recipient must have been a member of WASA for TEN years.
Retirement Award (self-nomination). Honors service to the profession. The recipient must be retiring from his/her administrative responsibilities and no longer eligible for active WASA membership. The recipient must be a current member of WASA.

Contact the region president or Honorary Awards committee chair for deadlines in your region.

Questions may be directed to Shari Parsons.

Awards History

2019 WASA Honorary Awards

WASA Recognizes Exemplary Educational Leaders at the 2019 WASA Summer Conference

Statewide Awards

Golden Gavel Award

Dr. Gene Sharratt, Executive Director, OSPI/AESD Network

D.A. Davidson Barbara Mertens Legacy Award

Amy Bragdon, Hagan Foundation

WASA Leadership Award

Dr. Randy Russell, Superintendent, Freeman School District

Service to WASA Award

Mike Colbrese, Executive Director, WIAA

2019 Region Awards

Award of Merit

Region 101                          Jerry McDermott, NEWESD 101
Region 105                          Henry Strom, Grandview School District
Region 108                          Dr. Jeff Drayer, Burlington-Edison School District
Region 108 Dr. Mark Wenzel, Anacortes School District
Region 109 Dr. Gary Cohn, Everett Public Schools
Region 112 Doug Dearden, Trout Lake School District
Region 114 David McVicker, Central Kitsap School District
Region 171 Matt Charlton, Manson School District

WASA Student Achievement Leadership Award

Region 101 Dr. Tom Rockefeller, Mead School District
Region 105 Becky Imler, Wapato School District
Region 111 Dr. Jennifer Bethman, Bethel School District
Region 112 Bill Oman, Evergreen Public Schools (Vancouver)
Region 113 Lisa Cadero-Smith, Yelm Community Schools
Region 171 Steve McCullough, Tonasket School District

Twenty-Year Award
Region 101 Dr. Michael Dunn, NEWESD 101
Region 101 Douglas Matson, West Valley School District (Spokane)
Region 112 Loy Dale, ESD 112
Region 112 Scott Fenter, Ocean Beach School District
Region 112 Michael Green, Woodland School District
Region 112 Thomas Hagley, Vancouver Public Schools
Region 112 Richard Hauan, Washington State Center for Deafness and Hearing Loss
Region 112 Tim Merlino, ESD 112
Region 112 Karla Schlosser, Vancouver Public Schools
Region 112 Mary Beth Tack, Kelso School District
Region 112 Dr. Ann Varkados, Centerville/Lyle School Districts
Region 113 Dr. Pamela Farr, Shelton School District
Region 123 Diane Hull, Bridgeport School District

Retirement Award
Region 101 Jerome McDermott, NEWESD 101
Region 101 Dr. Tom Rockefeller, Mead School District
Region 105 Becky Imler, Wapato School District
Region 105 Dr. Jack Irion, Yakima School District
Region 105 Duane Lyons, Naches Valley School District
Region 105 Gary Wargo, Cle Elum-Roslyn School District
Region 108 Andy Muntz, Mukilteo School District
Region 109 Ginnie Ayres, Monroe School District
Region 109 Dr. Gary Cohn, Everett Public Schools
Region 109 Dr. John Gebert, Lake Stevens School District
Region 109 Linda Hall, Granite Falls School District
Region 109 Dr. Cynthia Jones, Everett Public Schools
Region 109 Dr. Michael Mack, Lakewood School District
Region 109 Dr. Joyce Stewart, Everett Public Schools
Region 112 Linda Allen, Battleground Public Schools
Region 112 Doug Dearden, Trout Lake School District
Region 112 Jim Mabbott, Castle Rock School District
Region 112 Laurie Sundby, Battleground Public Schools
Region 113 Mary Lou Bissett, Chehalis School District
Region 113 Nancy Faaren, Olympia School District
Region 113 Dr. Pamela Farr, Shelton School District
Region 114 Karst Brandma, South Kitsap School District
Region 114 David McVicker, Central Kitsap School District
Region 114 Jeff Sweeney, North Kitsap School District
Region 123 Susan Bell, Touchet School District
Region 123 Rick Puryear, Star/Richland School Districts
Region 123 John Seaton, Paterson School District
Region 123 Dr. Rick Schulte, Richland School District
Region 171 Bill Motsenbocker, Cascade School District

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