(Photo courtesy Sanislo PTA: Louisa Boren STEM K-8 parents who supported their fundraiser)

“We called on the community and they really answered!” Rebecca Evans and the Sanislo Elementary PTA are still thrilled about the turnout they got at last weekend’s tropical-themed fundraiser: “Our goal was to raise $5,000 and we ended up raising $15,000!!!!” That wasn’t at all a sure thing – you might recall our story about their concerns, with days to go, that they had sold so few tickets, even at a low price with high hopes for helping a school community with many needs. But generous neighbors from around the peninsula responded to the pleas made here and elsewhere, and “we were able to go from having sold 20 tickets to overselling our 150 limit by about 20 tickets in less than a week! I’m still in shock and can’t wait to start planning how we’ll put those funds to use to support our students.” Though the party’s over, the needs are not, and you can still donate online by going here.

Chief Sealth International High School students will benefit from two notable donations:

When we covered the first Roll Hawks 5K last weekend, a benefit for the cross-country team, we noted that pre-race remarks mentioned a big donation on the way from Brooks Running. Tonight, volunteer assistant coach Chris Hoffman tells us more about it:

The Chief Sealth Cross Country Team was awarded a Brooks Running Scholarship last night at a ceremony at MoPop. Head coach Jim McCue applied for the scholarship earlier this year and we were notified a couple weeks ago that we were one of just 25 schools in the whole country to receive a scholarship. Through the scholarship, Brooks will donate $12,000 worth of uniforms, running shoes and gear (enough for up to 30 athletes) and $2,000 in cash to be used for team expenses. Coach Jim, assistant coach Marta Wambaugh, and myself [L-R in the photo] were on hand at the ceremony last night to receive the scholarship from Brooks.

And from Sealth academic dean Lori Douglas:

Ten Chief Sealth students were the lucky recipients of laptops from Logic 20/20. Their repurposed computers were CSI students’ gain! The students applied and wrote convincing arguments about why they should be the new owners of this valuable resource. Most common response: This will REALLY help me with my school work. Thank you to Logic 20/20 for their well-received donation!

Logic 20/20 is based in SODO.

Friday was historic for South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) and the other Seattle Colleges – their first combined commencement, at Safeco Field. The photo and report are from SSC communications director Ty Swenson:

South Seattle College’s Class of 2017 graduates were honored at Seattle Colleges’ “Empowered to Achieve” Commencement Ceremony on June 16 at Safeco Field. More than 900 South graduates were celebrated (with more than 300 attending the ceremony), having earned a wide variety of degrees, certificates and diplomas to support their future endeavors.

South Seattle College is part of the Seattle Colleges District (which also includes Seattle Central College, North Seattle College and the Seattle Vocational Institute), and for the first time in district history, 900 students from all campuses came together for a combined ceremony. They were joined by family, friends, and college faculty and staff.

“Tonight we celebrated an amazing class of South students who have opened the door to their future in pursuit of fulfilling, family-supporting careers,” said South Seattle College President Gary Oertli. “I admire our graduates for their dedication, and thank the important people in their lives – family, friends, instructors and allies – for supporting them every step of the way.”

Outgoing Student Body President Jackie Tran, a South graduate who plans to transfer to a four-year university to earn his bachelor’s degree in engineering, spoke during commencement.

“Now we are all Seattle Colleges graduates,” Tran said. “A new chapter in our lives begins now.”

South Seattle College conferred a total of 905 awards this year, including 460 associate transfer degrees that enable students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities in Washington and beyond to complete their bachelor’s degrees. Another 257 graduates earned associate degrees and certificates that prepare them to enter the workforce immediately. Sixty-eight graduates earned their bachelor’s degrees, and 120 graduates earned their high school diploma or equivalent, taking a significant step toward increased earning potential and future educational opportunities.