Photos and story by Jonathan Stumpf
For West Seattle Blog

West Seattle, you should be proud.

Nine middle-school students from four local schools were honored by Mayor Nickels and hosts Ken and Marleen Alhadeff at City Hall last night during the 10th annual Mayor’s Scholars Awards Ceremony (as previewed here in March).

All were there to accept their awards, as you’ll see ahead:

In all, 26 students from across Seattle were recognized, each receiving $500 that can be used for education or donated to a charity.

Before the ceremony the students were treated to a dinner that included ravioli, pizza, lasagna, cupcakes, salad and soda. Mayor Nickels visited with the various families during dinner, discussing the accomplishments and goals with various recipients.

In addition to the 26 award winners and their families, and the 189 past award winners, public officials in attendance included school board members Michael DeBell and Harium Martin-Morris, Fire Chief Gregory Dean, Interim Police Chief John Diaz, Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher, Director of Human Services Alan Painter, Director of Arts and Cultural Affairs Michael Killoren and Head Librarian Susan Hildreth.

During the ceremony, each recipient received a Mayor’s Scholar letter jacket (you’ll see it in the photos that follow). Host Ken Alhadeff told the audience that these children are “a statement of what love, community and value can produce.”

Just one example of the truth of his statement came in a touching speech by two West Seattleites, 2003-2004 recipient William Tibbits and Jesse Tibbits, a 2009 recipient who is seen here during picture-taking with the mayor and Ken Alhadeff:

Jesse told the audience about her upcoming summer adventures and what she’ll do with the award money. “I’ll be travelling to China to work in an orphanage,” said Jesse, who plans to give her $500 to an organization that can help with her work. “If I do my absolute hardest,” she added, “I will be able to achieve my goals and change the world.”

Here are the other West Seattle Mayor’s Scholars award recipients, photographed as they posed with the mayor and Ken Alhadeff (and their certificates!):

Luke Asatiani, 8th grader at Madison Middle School:

Joseph Kane, 7th grader at Holy Rosary School:

Finn Kelln, 6th grader at Madison Middle School:

Tore Kelln, 8th grader at Madison Middle School:

Emma Khan-Jones, 6th grader at Pathfinder K-8:

Mariam Khodr, 7th grader at Madison Middle School:

Lauren Shaughnessy, 8th grader at Madison Middle School:

Farhan Vohra, 8th grader at Denny Middle School:

Congratulations! The full citywide list of recipients is here.