(photo by Akemi Hart)
That’s Princess-Nyosha McWilliams, a Pathfinder K-8 eighth grader (and future Chief Sealth High School student) wearing a special city-provided jacket that’s part of a big honor she just won – here’s the full story, sent by Eric Baer, co-president of the Pathfinder PTSA:
On Thursday, Pathfinder 8th grader Princess-Nyosha McWilliams was awarded the Mayor’s Leadership award by Mayor Greg Nickels. A fellow Pathfinder student, Mia Kaiser, age 12, was also awarded a $500 scholarship as a Mayor’s Scholar at the City Hall Ceremony. The award for McWilliams is in addition to the $500 Mayor’s Scholar award that was previously announced.
“I was just eating a cookie when they read my name,†said McWilliams. “It feels good that people know me, and to know that while I’ve gone through difficult things in my life, I’m going to be able to go to college!†McWilliams has been a Pathfinder student for 3 years, and plans on attending Chief Sealth High School in the Fall.
Kaiser, who has attended Pathfinder for one year, was one of 19 students city-wide who were honored by the Mayor. According to the City of Seattle ’s Office of Education, â€Each year about 20 awards are given to middle school students who are responsible and generous community members who give to society and lead by their examples.â€
The Department’s website describes them as “’Unsung heroes,’ who have overcome obstacles or met challenges in their lives and demonstrated commitment to their community through their school, neighborhood, or religious organizations, or through other activities.â€
McWilliams donated her $500 Mayors scholarship award to Pathfinder K-8, acknowledging the role it has had in her life. “Pathfinder is a big, huge family. You spend half your day at school!†She specifically hoped it might help improve the physical plant instructing Principal David Dockendorf to use it to “fix the heaters in the portables†or something similar.
Dockendorf was proud of his award winners. “Princess and Mia are young ladies that will accomplish whatever they put their minds to AND they will have fun doing it!â€
| 10 COMMENTS