West Seattle, Washington
10 Sunday
A West Seattle 10-year-old and her friends are thanking the community for helping them raise $500 for Seattle Children’s Hospital with a holiday treat sale. They’ve delivered the donations and are now sharing their story:
(Popsicle sellers presenting donation to Children’s Hospital’s Dondi Cupp)
During the Kids Parade on the Fourth of July, my classmates Aimee H, Olivia W, Melissa A (not pictured), and I sold popsicles to the participants of the parade. We decided to sell popsicles because we wanted to donate all the proceeds to Seattle Children’s Hospital. There were two reasons behind this. The first reason, a former classmate of mine continues to receive care at the Seattle Children’s Hospital. And this past school year, one of our teacher’s daughters started treatment at the Seattle Children’s Hospital.
We want to thank the West Seattle community for helping us for nearly doubling our donation from two years ago!!
Sophia Chang (10 years old)
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
At noon this past Wednesday, in a sunny backyard behind a house at the end of Victoria Avenue SW, 60 years of history culminated in a tense competition between five childhood rivals. The sleek, bat-winged profile of the Myr Sheet Metal rocketed ahead of the blunt-nosed Grey Ghost and the bright red Exide in an all-or-nothing bid for the finish line. The Sheet Metal’s driver, Brian Partridge, cheered uproariously as he took home the trophy in the final race of the American Turf Power Boat Association.
The five men traded light-hearted barbs as they retrieved their boats. Each one is a scaled-down replica of a hydroplane, painted meticulously to resemble a specific real-life counterpart. These models are a testament to one of Seattle’s longest-running traditions, the Seafair hydroplane races. Since 1950, crowds have been drawn to the banks of Lake Washington to watch drivers reach speeds upward of 200 MPH as they race neck-and-neck for the Seafair Cup.
James Jay Wilson says he can still remember the roaring of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engines over Lake Washington during Seattle’s first-ever Hydroplane race. James -or as his friends call him, “Wahoo” – was obsessed. This obsession would quickly spiral outward, as other kids on Victoria Avenue began to follow along. James calls it “hydro fever,” and it’s had its grip on him and his friends for the last 60 years.
Randy Short, a friend of Wilson’s, said he remembers hearing Wilson towing a small wooden recreation of that year’s hydroplane behind his bike, a gift from his father. This quickly turned into a sport as Short and Wilson formed an alliance, racing their boats around Victoria Avenue. Later that decade, what started as a bike race evolved into a lawn game, the Turf Thunderboat Game, and what started as a group of friends eventually became the ATPBA, the American Turf Power Boat Association.
(Group photo from a previous race, this photo and sixth photo courtesy James Wilson)
The rules of the game are simple. A “track” is set up using cones, each marking a spot in the race. Every contestant places their boat at the starting line, and each player takes turns rolling a die and moving their boat a corresponding number of spaces. Whoever crosses the finish line five times first wins. “It seems like it’s all luck, but it’s about how you roll the dice,” said Wilson, who attributes his success in the game to a series of successful high-risk gambles in Reno, Nevada, several years before.
Wilson and Short invented the system using a board game that the latter had received as a gift. It was in this form that their obsession would persist for the next several decades, with Wilson only missing races when he was deployed to Vietnam, where he earned his second nickname, “The Mad Bomber.”
Wednesday’s race was all the more bittersweet then, as the five friends begin to close the book on the sport. “Hydroplane racing has slowed down,” said Wilson. The nostalgic, guttural roar of the Rolls-Royce engines, which were sourced from planes used during World War 2, have since been replaced by turbines. As the years pass, Wilson said, he can see the “hydro fever” fading.
Still, all five contestants stepped out onto the track in Wilson’s backyard, endearingly named “Lake Wahooshington” that day, eager to settle scores six decades in the making. First was Fred Kofoed, who started racing miniature hydroplanes in Ballard, with Miss Madison. Then, Brian Partridge, with Myr Sheet Metal. Randy and his brother Greg Short brought out the Grey Ghost and Miss Bardahl, respectively, and finally Wilson, setting up with his Exide.
The race starts hot, as Sheet Metal moves first, before Grey Ghost and Miss Madison quickly overtake it, before all three are overtaken by Exide. The five continue to race shoulder-to-shoulder, poking fun at each other when the dice rolls low, and making playful accusations of cheating every time someone (often Partridge or Wilson) rolls a six.
Eventually, the race is down to a three-way battle between Grey Ghost, Sheet Metal, and Exide. Short’s Grey Ghost takes the lead first, before a series of poor rolls causes him to stall. Wilson’s luck similarly turns on him, as Exide stalls in the final moment. Taking advantage of the opening, Partridge’s Sheet Metal bolts for the finish line to conclude the race. “It was a super fun day, coming from the winner at least,” said Partridge, as the group gathered after the races.
In past years, the event has had upward of 20 contestants, including a particularly memorable race in 2017, which was attended by Seattle native and hydroplane racing legend Billy Schumacher. As the five close the book on this chapter of the ATPBA, Short said, each of them carries countless memories.
(Randy Short [left], James Wilson [right], Billy Schumacher [center], at an ATPBA race in 2017. Once nicknamed “Billy the Kid,” Schumacher was one of the most well-known hydroplane racers)
From their first races in 1950 to the present day, the Seattle skyline that James Wilson’s house on Victoria Avenue overlooks has changed drastically. The Smith Tower, once the tallest skyscraper on the West Coast, is now the 26th tallest in Seattle. Harbor Island businesses have continued to expand, the West Seattle Bridge has replaced the old drawbridge, Seattle has seen 16 mayors, the rise of the tech industry, the Civil Rights movement and more.
For each groundbreaking shift, each controversial election, and each new skyscraper on the skyline, though, Wilson has been right here. Even if this was their last race, and even if the city has changed in more ways than he can count, he says he’ll always remember the signature roar of piston engines over Lake Washington.
(Thanks to the neighbor whose tip enabled us to be there for the ATPBA’s finale.)
(Photos courtesy Quail Park West Seattle)
That’s Tommy Criswell with the DubSea Fish Sticks‘ mascot Fin Crispy Jr. at Steve Cox Memorial Park‘s Mel Olson Stadium this past Sunday. He got to make a baseball dream come true,explains Betsy Henry from Quail Park West Seattle (WSB sponsor):
A dream 70+ years in the making came true for 78-year-old Tommy Criswell, a longtime Seattle resident and lifelong baseball fan as he threw the ceremonial “first fish” at the DubSea Fish Sticks game against the Redmond Dudes on July 27th.
Criswell, who lives at Quail Park West Seattle, checked off a major item on his bucket list when he took the mound at Mel Olson Stadium in King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park at the start of Sunday’s game.
Born in Texas but a proud Seattleite for most of his life, Criswell discovered his love for baseball at age six when his father signed him up for Little League. That early passion followed him through decades, even as he built a 30+ year career as a physicist with Boeing.
Criswell is also a devoted Mariners fan—his favorite player of all time? Ken Griffey Jr. “I loved how he’d leap into the air to catch the ball—like Spider-Man!” he says, referencing the iconic outfield catch that earned Griffey the superhero nickname in his mind.
Now, more than 20 years after attending his last Mariners game in person (a victory over the Dodgers), Criswell re-lived the magic of the ballpark in a way he never expected—on the pitcher’s mound. Criswell said it was a thrill to throw the first “fish.” When asked what he thought about the experience, he said with his characteristic sense of humor, “that was a slippery fish!”
(Khalil Taw and Ari Taw)
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
While most high-school students in West Seattle were busy counting down the days until summer break, fraternal twins Ari and Khalil Taw were just as eagerly counting the days until the new school year starts for them, at campuses almost halfway around the world. They are heading to Eastern Europe and Western Asia, respectively, having both earned a coveted spot in a program focused on what may best be described as world peace. It involves leaving their parents, friends, and each other for two years, in exchange for an extraordinary opportunity.
“My head’s in the clouds right now,” says Khalil, who will live in the Northern Armenia town of Dilijan. He and Ari, who will study in Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, were selected as Davis Scholars with the United World Colleges (UWC). While college is in the name, UWC is a high-school program with 18 schools on 4 continents, and only one in the US — in Montezuma, NM. While UWC is functionally a boarding-school program, it intentionally brings together teens from disparate backgrounds to learn from each other for the betterment of the planet.
UWC was founded in the 1960s in the UK, with a goal of cultivating peace and understanding through education. By being in a classroom together, students from dozens of countries would see not just their differences, but the many things they have in common, and start to understand each other’s perspectives, leading to empathy, collaboration, and ideally, a future with less conflict. Over the years, UWC has grown to global prominence and widened its impact, counting now-King Charles, Nelson Mandela, and Queen Noor of Jordan among its presidents, the latter having served since 1995.
“It’s the best-kept secret in the US,” says Carl-Martin Nelson, UWC’s Director of Communications, who says that’s in part because UWC spends available funds on scholarships rather than marketing. “Our admissions model is different from any other school. We recruit for idealism in a way, unabashedly,” he says, explaining that they might have one full scholarship and one half-scholarship available for a country like Egypt or Venezuela. Each of those countries has a national committee that is then charged with finding students who they think would be a good match for the school. A three-stage application process follows, one that both Ari and Khalil found intense and sometimes intimidating, particularly knowing that only a very small percentage of applicants are accepted. “I became scared through the stages. I was unsure if I was going to fit in because a lot of people are very much one type,” says Ari. “I really do care about my academics, but I’m creative-focused. I think I have this little impostor syndrome. Do I really belong here?”
After the twins completed the third stage, a visit to the American UWC campus in New Mexico earlier this year, the answer was yes for both of them. Then the question was where in the world would they be going to school. UWC allows incoming students to list their top 3 choices and the majority of them put Italy first. Ari asked for Mostar, and got it. “I’m really interested in post-conflict societies,” she says. “That’s what drew me to Mostar — that there are three ethnicities. I wanted to see how they’ve reconciled [after the war in the early 1990s]. I really care about immigration and how people view immigrants. I don’t have clear-cut goals, just helping people.”
Khalil’s interests are more varied, but are centered around equity and access, particular when it comes to natural resources and recreational open space, which he has noticed is often utilized along lines of class and race. “You’re mostly seeing people of higher income, and white. A lot of people can’t appreciate national parks [because of a lack of] transportation, gear, money. There’s so much blocking everyone off from the outdoors.” Khalil thinks his time in Armenia will shape his ideas about how he can bring about positive change. “I want to go into politics, environmental equity, policies, cutting off corrupt international trade. Right now I have so many political tangents. At UWC I‘m going to find out what I’m really going to make a change in.”
Though American policies around travel and immigration are in flux, neither of the Taws is particularly worried about being out of the country for the rest of their high school education. But they both mentioned the big change of leaving their family home at 16 and the impact it will have on their parents. “They’re losing both of their kids. I’ll never live with them again,” predicted Ari. Their dad, Harold Taw, said with a smile, “My wife and I were a lot more supportive of their departure from home 2 years early when we thought it wasn’t a realistic possibility.”
Soon the last days of their sophomore-year classes at Seattle-area schools (Holy Names for Ari and Downtown School for Khalil) will be just a distant memory, and the twins will be on planes with different destinations. Orientation starts at the end of August and Ari’s will include a canoe trip with other students, an activity that will require everyone to pitch in together, something both twins know is exactly what they signed up for. “The beauty of UWC is the friendships you make across cultures— a person from each continent,” Khalil says, “The idea that world peace starts with kids, education… is the most important thing. People hate each other until they talk face to face. [That’s when] you see that someone feels just like you. It’s going to be messy, but also, it’s kind of beautiful.”
(Reader photo)
We reported briefly on that collision at 35th/Avalon this past Tuesday night. It sent motorcyclist TerRon Dawson to the hospital with a broken pelvis, we learned via comments. Readers asked about a chance to contribute to his recovery, so his former wife Emily Dawson, shown below wth TerRon and their children, set up this crowdfunding page.
Emily said in email to WSB – as noted on the page – that TerRon, who works as a contractor, also is expressing gratitude:
TerRon wanted to especially mention that he was thankful for the show of community during his accident. He said there was an off-duty firefighter who helped hold his head steady and gave words of comfort, and there were many others who helped gather his things that had scattered in the accident like his backpack and boots. He really appreciated everyone’s help.
We’ve had some great success stories about local athletes recently, and here’s the latest: Local ultramarathon swimmer Denise Simens, who also coaches high-school swimmers, competed at nationals in Portland last weekend, and her friend Chelsie P sent the story and photos:
I wanted to shine a spotlight on a West Seattleite making a splash! My good friend Denise Simens just swam the Portland Bridge Swim in Portland, OR (last weekend). This event is an 11-mile long open-water swim in the Willamette River. The event was the official 2025 United States Masters Swimming Ultramarathon-Distance Open Water National Championships.
Denise improved her time from last year by 41 minutes, and took first place in her age group by 17 minutes. In addition to being ranked #1 in the Country by age group, she also finished 6th overall female and 22nd overall athlete (out of men and women). Entries were limited to the first 100 qualifiers across the country and registration closed quickly this year! The qualifying standard was to complete either a 5,000M or 5,500YD swim in less than 1:40 (an hour and forty minutes.)
For a bit of context, any swimming event over 10K is considered an ultramarathon, and the distance swum yesterday nearly doubles the distance of the minimal requirement. Next up for Denise is an inaugural event in September called the Mt. St. Helens Classic, hosted by the Northwest Open Water Swimming Association (NOWSA). This event is four ultramarathons in 4 lakes, swam in just 4 days after Labor Day Weekend.
I would like to mention that Denise is also the Head Women’s Swimming Coach for Chief Sealth International High School! She has been a West Seattle resident for nearly ten years.
Chelsie also sent the results from last weekend.
Last month, we noted that a Seattle walking fan named Holden was organizing “saunters” around the city and that his next one would be in West Seattle. Last Saturday was the big day, and it was a success! Holden sent this West Seattle Saunter report with photos today:
Howdy Y’all,
Back on May 17th of this year, hundreds of people showed up in the pouring rain to walk the entire length of Seattle, from north to south, in the inaugural Seattle Super Saunter. Despite the weather it was a truly positive experience of folks exploring the city, making new friends, and getting some good exercise. A goal of the event was having some way of connecting disparate areas of the city together, and getting folks to experience neighborhoods that they might not otherwise see. And although we felt like the event did a good job in that aim, there was one large part of Seattle that felt difficult to include, and one that often goes overlooked by folks in other parts of the city, West Seattle.
So in an attempt to rectify not being included in the Seattle Super Saunter, we thought why not give West Seattle its very own saunter. So on Saturday July 12th and beginning from the West Seattle Water Taxi Pier, the West Seattle Saunter took its first step. The simple plan was to traverse 12 miles around West Seattle on foot and see some of the best spots West Seattle has to offer such as Alki Beach, Lincoln Park, Myrtle Reservoir Park, and Summer Fest at Alaska Junction.
At the beginning there were probably about 150 folks who came out to saunter on what ended up being a gorgeous and wonderful day. What was especially nice was to have a good ratio of folks from West Seattle and New Seattle (the mainland), probably about half and half.
Something that was also great was seeing so many folks use the water taxi. Another goal of these saunters is to encourage folks to use transit, so it was the perfect opportunity for folks to use the water taxi. The 773 shuttle also made it convenient for folks to get from Summer Fest at Alaska Junction back to the Water Taxi at the end.
Some of the highlights of the day included:
-Getting to hear about the Alki Healthy Street over at Constellation Park
-Learning about what life was like with the West Seattle Bridge being out
-Seeing a seal over at Lincoln Park, right after this woman had promised her friend there would be one
-Swarming the Super Deli Mart at 35th and Barton with our large group
-Visiting the highest point in the city and exploring the cute neighborhoods and parks near High Point
-Meeting Everett, who was 9 years old and who walked the whole 12 miles and finding out later he got rewarded with a big ice cream cone at the end
-Finishing up at West Seattle Summer Fest and enjoying all the vibrancy of the event. It was such a treat to meet so many great people on Saturday and I heard from plenty of folks that they had never been to West Seattle or that they had not been since before the pandemic.
So this felt like the perfect opportunity for people to explore and re-explore alongside the wonderful residents of West Seattle. If you were not able to make it out on Saturday, I hope you take the chance to get to see West Seattle on foot (take the water taxi too!). Although at times West Seattle can feel like an afterthought to folks on the mainland, there really is so much to see, do, explore, and enjoy out on the Peninsula, as I am sure your readers already know. I know I’ll be back soon and I’m sure plenty of folks from Saturday will too.
Thank you to West Seattle for being so wonderful and thank you everyone who showed up to make Saturday special!
If anyone would like to stay in the loop for any future saunters, you can join our email list here or follow the Instagram.
(Lou Cutler with Pathfinder students during 2019 ‘Laps With Lou’)
Retired teacher and Make-A-Wish volunteer Lou Cutler says it’s the “honor of a lifetime” to be chosen Grand Marshal for this year’s West Seattle Grand Parade, coming up in just a week and a half, on Saturday, July 19th. Parade organizers have just officially announced the honorees who you’ll be able to cheer toward the start of the parade – Lou as Grand Marshal, and longtime local community advocates Joanie Jacobs and Dan Jacobs as winners of the Orville Rummel Trophy for Community Service. Here’s the announcement sent to us by the parade team:
The West Seattle Grand Parade is thrilled to announce its 2025 honorees — community champions whose dedication, heart, and service have made a lasting impact on our neighborhood and beyond.
Lou Cutler Named Grand Marshal
Longtime West Seattle educator and beloved Make-A-Wish volunteer Lou Cutler has been named the Grand Marshal of the 2025 West Seattle Grand Parade. Lou is a former physical education teacher at Pathfinder K-8, best known for creating “Laps with Lou” — an annual birthday tradition that became a powerful fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington.
Since 2003, Lou has walked or run one lap for every year of his age, raising more than $100,000 to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. (Editor’s note: The past two years, he’s walked variations of his tradition – here’s WSB coverage of his most-recent fundraiser-on-foot.) With more than 275 wishes granted as a volunteer, Lou’s commitment has touched hundreds of lives and inspired an entire community.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to be selected as Grand Marshal,” Lou shared. “For many years, my Pathfinder Unicycle team rode in this Parade — we always loved the energy of the crowd. Nothing beats the community spirit and pride that West Seattle residents display. Being Grand Marshal makes my millennium!”
Lou will lead the parade down California Avenue SW on Saturday, July 19th, 2025, beginning at 11 am from California Ave SW and SW Lander Street.
Orville Rummel Community Service Award: Dan and Joanie Jacobs
This year’s Orville Rummel Community Service Award honors Dan and Joanie Jacobs, a dynamic duo known for their lifelong dedication to community-building in West Seattle. Describing themselves as “neighborhood people at the core of our being,” the Jacobs are tireless volunteers, event organizers, and connectors.
From their early years supporting West Seattle Christian Church and launching the Ginomai artist space and West Seattle Art Walk, to their more recent roles with the Admiral Neighborhood Association, the Jacobs have helped shepherd countless neighborhood events including the AMP summer concert series, Admiral Block Party, Fourth of July Kids Parade, Halloween Trick-or-Treating, and Winter Wonderland. Their leadership, creativity, and compassion have shaped West Seattle’s civic and cultural identity for more than two decades.
Dan & Joanie Jacobs are fond of this quote by Mother Teresa: “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
Join us on Saturday, July 19th to celebrate all three of these extraordinary West Seattle leaders and to watch the 2025 West Seattle Grand Parade, which kicks off at 11:00 am from California Ave SW and SW Lander Street.
At last report, the parade had more than 70 entries. You can watch it from anywhere along California, southward to The Junction, where it ends at SW Edmunds.
Story and photos by Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The lunch room at Brookdale West Seattle was alive with celebration today, as neighbors and friends alike gathered to celebrate resident Rosa Facciuto’s 107th birthday. Partygoers enjoyed lunch and sang along to “Moonglow,” “Sweet Caroline,” and a favorite of Rosa’s, “Hey Good Lookin’” by Hank Williams.
Rosa was born on July 7th, 1918, in Seattle. In her life, she’s seen two world wars, the space race, the civil-rights movement, as well as the rise of the telephone, and later the internet. Today was more than just a birthday celebration; it was a chance to reflect and appreciate the life she’s had so far, including jobs as an Alaska Airlines flight attendant and Seattle Police secretary.
“I’m on top of the world,” Rosa remarked while opening one of the many cards stacked in front of her. The party was in high spirits, and the community showed up with an outpouring of appreciation and support. Many of her friends took the time to write down comments, which were read at the party. “She’s an inspiration to all of us,” one friend wrote. “She is beautiful and intelligent,” snother friend wrote – “But she doesn’t have good eyesight.” Rosa interjected.
“Don’t sit at home and mope, get out and keep active. If you don’t have a job, volunteer.” Facciuto said, when asked if she had any advice for the younger generations. “Don’t abuse yourself either, you’ve got to take care of your body. And choose your friends well. You’ll be all right if you run around with the right people.”
Performing the music today was local musician and community member C.C. Engel. She’s played piano and sang at Rosa’s last three birthday celebrations, and says she’ll keep performing at them for as long as she can. Previously, Engel has worked across Seattle, from New Luck Toy to the Chelan Café. “As long as she’s here, I’ll be here,” Engel promised.
These days, Rosa keeps active as a member of Brookdale’s poetry club and goes to bingo three nights a week. She says she’s grateful for the people she has around her today. “I love everybody here, and I’ll never ever regret that I’ve been here this long.”
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Before Mallory Carlson, a young mom of three, talked with us about the reason for our phone interview, she wanted to tell us about her love for West Seattle.
She moved here the first time at age 14, to live with an aunt and uncle. She attended Chief Sealth International High School.
The second time she moved here was the first time with her husband and their first child, a son who’s now 4 years old. They had to leave because her husband’s job search led them to California. “We’ll be back,” they promised each other. And this spring, they managed to return to what Mallory calls an “incredible community,” home to many members of her family.
It seemed like the first step into a warm, bright future. They had expanded their family with identical twin girls half a year ago.
And then, just weeks after their return to West Seattle … “this happened.”
That word, “this,” encompasses so much heartache … but also hope. Sisters Josie and Lucy were diagnosed with an aggressive type of leukemia that Mallory says affects only 100 babies a year – ALL. The girls are now two weeks into an experimental chemotherapy treatment that they will have to endure for nine months. And that’s if they’re lucky. That’s inpatient chemotherapy at the start of a two-year treatment plan, their mom explains.
“The girls are stable – but not doing well,” Mallory told us when we talked Tuesday afteroon. “At least, they’re not in danger of dying today. … For every day, we’re grateful, but this is truly terrifying.”
Mallory is a self-employed wedding photographer. She can’t work now for multiple reasons – not just the need to stay at Seattle Children’s Hospital with Josie and Lucy, but also because she has to limit her exposure to other people, for fear she’ll catch something and spread it to them. “If they catch a cold, it could kill them, so I’m trying to be incredibly careful.” Her husband has just started his new job and hasn’t accumulated paid time off, so he has to keep working so that they can cover mounting medical bills and keep the “fixer-upper” West Seattle house they’d bought before “this.”
So they are crowdfunding, painful in its own way for someone who says she’s never had to ask for help before, “but I have to put my pride away.” In addition to raising money, Mallory is also trying to raise awareness and end the stigma that invariably arises with the word “cancer.” If people don’t want to help her family, she says, maybe Lucy and Josie will inspire them to donate to a foundation researching childhood cancer.
Research has suddenly become a large part of the family’s life. The girls are part of a clinical trial right now – a trial that hadn’t begun when they were diagnosed, but, Mallory explains, was opened seven months early to admit them. It is a trial that expands the chemotherapy currently used to treat ALL.
How did they both get it? Because they shared a placenta, one spread it to the other, Mallory explains. Josie was the first diagnosed, and the double diagnosis drew researchers’ attention quickly, enabling them to get into the aforementioned trial. “It could save them, at least keep them in and no matter what happens to them, it could change medical history … (but) even if it doesn’t save them, I want to bring awareness to this awful, awful rare disease.”
Their care is estimated to cost $1 million per twin – per year. “We are doing everything we can, but this fight is bigger than us alone,” Mallory says. And bigger than two very little girls living in a hospital right now.
Here’s the crowdfunding/updates site set up by friends and family.
(Photo courtesy Lou Cutler, as he and friends stopped on the shore last Wednesday)
Last week we were on Pigeon Point as retired Pathfinder K-8 PE teacher Lou Cutler and friends headed out on a peninsula-wide walk to raise money for Make-A-Wish, the nonprofit for which he’s volunteered for many years, helping ailing kids’ wishes come true. Last week’s walk was also a birthday celebration for Lou – turning 74 this year; in many past Junes, he celebrated with a Pathfinder event running/walking the same number of laps as years on the school field that he’d been alive. This time, he planned to walk 13 miles around West Seattle – and succeeded:
(It) was a beautiful day for a walk and always a pleasure to have great company along the way and the MAW kids and their families to inspire me all along the way.
Due to previous commitments of my compadres, I finished the final 4 miles by myself and to be quite honest, that was a bit of a challenge as I may have become dehydrated along the way and the exercise music I always use to motivate me during walks wasn’t available as my phone died at mile 10. The last 3.7 miles were much slower than the previous 10 miles and I wouldn’t have finished without the inspiration I receive from the MAW kids and their families!!
We checked today and supporters/donors have brought Lou’s campaign within a few hundred dollars of the goal he set. If you’re interested in donating, here’s the link.
Congratulations to Elliot Caron and Andrew Orland, West Seattle’s newest Eagle Scouts. They’re part of Troop 282, which provided the report and photos:
Amid wild applause and celebration on Sunday, June 8th, West Seattle’s Troop 282 awarded the prestigious Eagle Scout rank to Elliot Caron and Andrew Orland — an honor earned by only 6% of all eligible scouts. Their achievement marks their culmination of years of dedication, leadership, and service to the community. Each of their projects reflect their interests in building up communities and bringing people together.
Elliot, a senior at West Seattle High School, is set to embark on his next adventure at the University of San Diego, where he’ll pursue academics as well as compete on their Division 1 crew team.
His Eagle Scout project (above) for Explorer West Middle School was designing and building benches and a meeting area to serve as a space that will serve students, parents, and educators for years to come.
Andrew, a junior at The Northwest School, helped West Seattle’s elder community at Arrowhead Gardens. His Eagle Scout project (below) was to transform an outdoor space into a welcoming garden area with a bench for residents to enjoy.
As he looks ahead to his college journey, Andrew is exploring schools where he can continue his passion for competitive soccer.
Troop 282, founded in 1949, stands out as one of the few Scouting troops that welcome both boys and girls — and boasts one of the highest percentages of youth who successfully achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. The Troop gathers at West Side Presbyterian Church, offering a welcoming space for new members looking to embark on their own Scouting adventures. More details about joining can be found at troop282.net.
The West Seattle Junction’s annual Pride Month display of rainbow flags is happening today. The West Seattle Junction Association told us they chose the date because of the celebration that VAIN is leading during tonight’s Art Walk – meet up at the shop (4513 California SW) 6-6:30 pm, then head south to California/Alaska for celebratory dancing.
The Junction’s first rainbow-flag display was in 2019, after an “adopt-a-flag” fundraiser.
(WSB file photo)
One week ago, we published our early list of West Seattle/White Center events for Pride Month. Here’s our updated list, mostly from events sent to us for the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – please let us know if you have something to add to it:
SMELLS LIKE QUEER SPIRIT: “Music! Drag! Poetry!” 5 pm Friday, June 6, showcase at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).
YOUTH PRIDE MINI-PARADE: Meet at 5 pm at Future Primitive in White Center (9832 14th SW).
WHITE CENTER PRIDE STREET FESTIVAL: Noon-11 pm on Saturday, June 7, the street festival takes over 16th SW in downtown White Center, between Roxbury and 100th.
SOUTH DELRIDGE EVENTS DURING WC FESTIVAL: Terraplanted and Mr. B’s Meadery both have plans on June 7 too.
VIP EXPERIENCE DURING WC PRIDE: Ticketed event at Lumber Yard Bar and Boombox, noon-midnight, “featuring two queens from the recent season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race – Arrietty and Acacia Forgot.”
KARAOKE FOR THE SPIRIT: Progressive, queer-affirming churches’ gathering to sing secular songs at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7 pm Sunday, June 8..
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION FLAGS: This year, the Junction Association says, the rainbow flags will fly on June 12, in support of the next event on the list (and they’re signing up volunteers to help put the flags up) …
PRIDE CELEBRATION ON ART WALK NIGHT: VAIN is organizing a two-part celebration on June 12, which is West Seattle Art Walk night – meet up at the shop (4513 California SW) at 6 pm, head south to dance at Walk All Ways (California/Alaska) at 6:30 pm.
PRIDE IN OZ @ KENYON HALL: Two performances of Pride Month’s Kenyon Hall Cabaret all-ages drag show, 6:30 pm Friday (June 13) and 1:30 pm Saturday (June 14) – get tickets early!
PRIDE CELEBRATION ROLLER DERBY BOUT: Rainier Roller Riot‘s bout “Pack Is Queer“ is a Pride celebration, 5:30 pm June 14 at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center).
PRIDE PET PHOTO BOOTH: 11:30 am-2:30 pm at Mud Bay Admiral (2611 California SW) on June 22.
SEATTLE PRIDE NIGHT OUT: Organize your own block party with inspiration from the West Seattleites who started it, June 26, 5-8 pm.
EMERALD CITY KINGS BALL, PRIDE EDITION: Featuring kings from near and far – 8 pm June 27 at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
PRIDE COCKTAIL FUNDRAISER: All month long, Mioposto (2139 California SW; WSB sponsor) offers a special cocktail, The Sylvia River-ita, with half the proceeds supporting Lambert House.
What else? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com so we can add to the calendar (and this list) – thanks!
Terry asked us to share this:
Big thank you to the women who stopped to assist my husband on Saturday morning, May 31st at California Ave SW/SW Hill Street after witnessing his fall. I failed to properly thank these kind ladies who stayed by his side and watched our dog while medics treated him and I was able to arrive. Thankfully he only suffered a couple of fractured ribs and a broken bone in his right hand; given his complex medical history, the injuries could have been much worse. Thank you again for being good neighbors – your assistance is very much appreciated.
(WSB photos)
Pride month begins tomorrow, but Louisa Boren STEM K-8 in Delridge got an early start with a Pride Kickoff Party on the playground last night. Rainbows were everywhere, from chalk creations to costumes:
Sponsors and participants included the PTA, GGLOW, and area organizations like White Center Pride:
WC Pride’s street festival is one week from today, June 7 on 16th SW between Roxbury and SW 100th.
(WSB file photo)
June arrives this Sunday, and so does Pride Month. Here’s our local list – please let us know if you have something to add to it (LIST UPDATED JUNE 4):
SMELLS LIKE QUEER SPIRIT: “Music! Drag! Poetry!” 5 pm Friday, June 6, showcase at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).
YOUTH PRIDE MINI-PARADE: Meet at 5 pm June 6 at Future Primitive in White Center (9832 14th SW).
WHITE CENTER PRIDE STREET FESTIVAL: Noon-11 pm on Saturday, June 7, the street festival takes over 16th SW in downtown White Center, between Roxbury and 100th.
SOUTH DELRIDGE EVENTS DURING WC FESTIVAL: Terraplanted and Mr. B’s Meadery both have plans on June 7 too.
VIP EXPERIENCE DURING WC PRIDE: Ticketed event at Lumber Yard Bar and Boombox, noon-midnight, “featuring two queens from the recent season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race – Arrietty and Acacia Forgot.”
KARAOKE FOR THE SPIRIT: Progressive, queer-affirming churches’ gathering to sing secular songs at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7 pm Sunday, June 8..
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION FLAGS: This year, the Junction Association says, the rainbow flags will fly on June 12, in support of the next event on the list (and they’re signing up volunteers to help put the flags up) …
PRIDE CELEBRATION ON ART WALK NIGHT: VAIN is organizing a two-part celebration on June 12, which is West Seattle Art Walk night – meet up at the shop (4513 California SW) at 6 pm, head south to dance at Walk All Ways (California/Alaska) at 6:30 pm.
PRIDE IN OZ @ KENYON HALL: Two performances of Pride Month’s Kenyon Hall Cabaret all-ages drag show, 6:30 pm Friday (June 13) and 1:30 pm Saturday (June 14) – get tickets early!
PRIDE CELEBRATION ROLLER DERBY BOUT: Rainier Roller Riot‘s bout “Pack Is Queer“ is a Pride celebration, 5:30 pm June 14 at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center).
PRIDE PET PHOTO BOOTH: 11:30 am-2:30 pm at Mud Bay Admiral (2611 California SW) on June 22.
SEATTLE PRIDE NIGHT OUT: Organize your own block party with inspiration from the West Seattleites who started it, June 26, 5-8 pm.
EMERALD CITY KINGS BALL, PRIDE EDITION: Featuring kings from near and far – 8 pm June 27 at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
PRIDE COCKTAIL FUNDRAISER: All month long, Mioposto (2139 California SW; WSB sponsor) offers a special cocktail, The Sylvia River-ita, with half the proceeds supporting Lambert House.
What else? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com so we can add to the calendar (and this list) – thanks!
(Photo by Jeffrey Lynch, courtesy West Seattle 5K)
Sunday’s West Seattle 5K (WSB coverage here) was the biggest yet in the fundraising run/walk’s history, which dates back to 2009! Final number of participants in the event coordinated by and benefiting the West Seattle High School PTSA was 1,678, up 7 percent from last year; amount of money raised (after expenses) was almost $62,000, nearly 50 percent more than last year; other stats included 100 volunteers, 91 students registered, 16 staffers registered, and 31 sponsors (including WSB). Along with sending the stats, race organizers are sharing their annual message of thanks:
Thanks to all of you, Sunday’s West Seattle 5k was a great success! Community, the schools and Alki Beach are some of the things we love most about West Seattle, and these all came together Sunday to make this the biggest West Seattle 5K yet.
We had nearly 1,700 participants and raised over $60,000 for much-needed programs for students, teachers, and staff at West Seattle High School.
Thank you to the runners and walkers who participated, our generous sponsors, and our volunteers who made this happen.
Yours Truly, 2025 Race Co-Directors – Kelley O’Connor, Pam Hembrow and Athena Frederick
Volunteers to recognize:
Nicole Ott for securing sponsors and all the hard work that comes with helping them.
Amy Doll for coordinating the supplies, kids, teachers and staff – and sharing her birthday weather with us!
Erik Bell at Bell Fortino for all our graphics needs including shirt design, posters, banners and yard signs.
Fred Northup (and Zola) for serving as our smooth event announcer and nonstop sponsor ideas galore!
Jeff Lynch and Stuart Glascock for stepping in as event photographers.
Renee Phelps, WSHS teacher/NHS adviser and all the NHS students from West Seattle High School for putting out signage, stuffing bags and volunteering the event!
WSHS PTSA Board members – especially Holly and Chau!! Chau, thank you for your tenacity in creating a PEP band and securing our cheerleaders!
Owen Reese for coordinating our volunteers. And thank you to the 100 volunteers who worked the event!
Erika Kussmanan and Adrienne Robideaux for heading up marketing & communications along with our WSHS DECA leaders – Adelyn, Thea, Jhana, Lucia.
Adrienne Robideaux for taking on our Non-Profit Row. We so appreciate you overseeing this important portion of the event
Lori Sherick, Heidi James and Chris O’Claire for being willing to pitch in “WHEREVER”
Ron Knight (WSHS VP), Brian Vance (WSHS Principal) and Xenia Bremseth (WSHS DECA Advisor)- Thank you for embracing student involvement and overall support
Alki businesses and residents – thanks for sharing this special beach for the morning so we could hold this fundraiser to make our local West Seattle High School the best it can be for our students and teachers!
2025 Photos: Stuart photos and Jeff photos
Results: West Seattle 5k 2025 Results Link
Website: westseattle5k.com
Save the date for May 17, 2026!!
(WSB photos/video)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
One of the speakers at The Center for Active Living‘s fundraising breakfast served up one word that you can use to beat stress.
The entire event, in fact, could have been characterized as stress relief of a sort – the more money the center raises, the less it has to worry about how it’ll continue being able to pay for the many programs and services it offers as “The Center of It All,” the theme of this year’s event, held Tuesday morning at Alki Masonic Center in The Junction.
Last year’s breakfast event introduced the former Senior Center’s new name, better reflecting its status as a hub of community connection for people of all ages. Since then, executive director Amy Lee Derenthal told the 200 attendees Tuesday morning, the center’s serving more people now than ever in its 50-year history – 1,500+ members, three times what it had in 2021, ages from late 20s to 100. The center has added new programs – totaling more than 50 programs each week. The center feeds people via community dining and Margie’s Cafe, and delivers 400 meals “to home-bound folks” every month. With the help of volunteers, they offer tech navigation, make home visits via Westside Friends, and staff the Stop & Shop on the center’s lower level. Plus their staff includes two social workers; their work includes running support groups that regularly serve more than 100 people.
“As a small community-based nonprofit, we’re constantly stretching our budget to meet our needs,” Derenthal explained. It’s challenging, but it’s “my dream job,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion just a bit. Here’s everything she told the crowd:
She’s not the only one for which the Center for Active Living work fulfills dreams of making a difference in others’ livesi. “It’s nice to be involved with people helping other people,” said a center volunteer/member in this new video debuted at the breakfast.
Donors experienced fulfillment too, including board member Emily Austin, who spoke about her reasons for giving.
She talked about growing up in family circumstances that led her to gravitate toward older adults, even when she was a kid. She got involved with the center after moving here in 2011. Then in 2022,she joined its board, learning about the “bravery and courage” it takes to operate a nonprofit. “We need the center to thrive fir years to come,” she said, imploring attendees to help make that possible with their gifts.
The center’s work provides everything from classes to meals to social events and group gatherings. Attendees got to sample some of those offerings – like the ukulele group:
And pianist extraordinaire Larry Knapp, who leads the lineup on Jazz Nights at the center:
Not much for music? How about movement?
Denise Geroux was onstage to demonstrate some of what she teaches at the center, focusing on “body awareness … learning how to support yourself through your skeleton …” That’s what she says we should be focused on, not just our muscles.
And then came the “stress magic” we mentioned at the start of this story. Dat Tran, stress-mastery coach, showed how the word “extraordinary” can help you conquer stress:
“Instead of focusing on lowering your stress or taking on less stress, focus on feeling extraordinary,” he advised.
Many in the room had reasons to do exactly that, emcee Ryan Sheaffer suggested, opening the morning with a round of acknowledgments, particularly for the volunteers. And he energetically led a round of live-donating – you could even contribute via text! – getting the center close to its $75,000 goal.
“Your support supports the physical, mental, emotional wellbeing of this community,” said board president Stephanie Bruno in closing. “I got involved because I first thought this woud be a great place for my grandmother .. then I realized it was a great place for me.”
HOW YOU CAN HELP: We followed up with executive director Derenthal today. She says, “Thank you to everyone who donated. We are close to our $75,000 goal. Help us cross the finish line by making a donation! Gifts $500+ are matched thanks to a generous donation from Nucor.” The donation link is here.
(Updated Monday with results)
(WSB photos/video unless otherwise credited)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The decor and attire were cheerful and bright.
But a darker note of urgency also ran through the West Seattle Food Bank‘s “Nourish & Flourish” fundraising dinner and auction last night.
Food, clothing, and housing insecurity are “injustices (that WSFB) addresses at their source,” observed board president Joe Everett, opening the program with short remarks to those gathered at West Seattleite-owned DSquared‘s 4105 event space in SODO. “That is our mission … we could not do it without you, especially right now, in this moment … There are signs that in the coming months and years more families are going to need help; sources (of funding) are dwindling … so much chaos.” Here’s everything he said:
The food bank’s executive director of 24 years, Fran Yeatts, echoed what Everett had said about “chaos (at this) point in history.” She said the state of things has left her “feeling nervous about the world” even as she experiences abundance and comfort in her own life, and with that in mind, she wondered aloud, what must it be like for neighbors experiencing need?
Hundreds were there to do what they could to answer the need, starting with their ticket purchase, continuing on with bidding in a silent auction and paying for pre-dinner games, then bidding in the live auction called by emcee Ian Lindsay, with items from exotic getaways to dinner and cocktail parties hosted by WSFB leaders (the margaritas-and-tacos party with Yeatts and Lester Yuh sold twice, for $2,000 each).
After the live auction, and StraightEIGHT Films‘ inspirational introduction to people WSFB has helped, a round of “raise the paddle” for monetary donations brought in more than $100,000.
But that is a fraction of the increasing cost of what the food bank does (distributing 2.6 million pounds of food last year was just the start).
As one of the easel-mounted boards on display at 4105 explained, WSFB “spends up to $1 million per year on emergency rent and utilities assistance,” to try to keep people from becoming unhoused. Its Clothesline clothing bank distributes more than 85,000 pieces of apparel each year. And you might not be aware that WSFB distributes pet food, too – thousands of pounds every year.
Generous eventgoers did their best to chip in. One table even marshaled up $5,000 for first choice from among a table of tasty treats (all donated) in the “Dessert Dash.”
Everything helps, said emcee Lindsay, with so many people “living right at the edge, where something small can push you off the edge.”
The generosity was also shown by numerous local businesses who donated auction items and/or served as event sponsors. The latter list included WSB again this year, and we also were honored to accept the WSFB’s annual Changemaker Award, accepted by your editor after joining Fran Yeatts on the room-center stage:
The award was for WSB but especially poignant in view of our loss of co-founder Patrick Sand half a year ago. Of Patrick, the award announcement in the event program said in part, “With his camera in hand and heart wide open, he made sure our work at the West Seattle Food Bank – and that of so many other organizations – was seen, supported, and celebrated.”
That’s always been the heart of our work (and that’s why we would have been covering the event, as we have in many years past, even if we hadn’t been there to accept the Changemaker Award).
(Photo courtesy Ben Viscon)
A final word about last night’s event: Attendees were exhorted to invite their friends, co-workers, and relatives to join them in supporting WSFB’s mission. You can do that with money by going here, donating food/clothing during distribution hours, or volunteering by going here.
ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: WSFB says the event set two records – $234,869 raised, and 256 in attendance. Meantime, they’re hoping to reach their spring fundraising goal of $265,000 with donations during GiveBIG tomorrow – maybe even surpass it – you can donate here immediately.
(WSB photo: Impact West Seattle’s board, Hannah Gregg, Julie Davis, Rachel Lazar, Amy Huey)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Six and a half years ago, we reported on the launch of “giving group” Impact West Seattle. In the announcement of their first quarterly gift a few months later, IWS described themselves as “an example of so many people’s desire to ‘do something’ amidst a challenging political climate and in a city facing massive growth and major challenges.”
Time has passed, but all of that still applies. And the group is going strong, we learned when Impact West Seattle leaders invited us to cover their quarterly meeting this week, at which they celebrated members’ cumulative gifts surpassing the half-million-dollar mark.
A little background: Impact West Seattle members commit to giving $100 a quarter. Where the collected money goes depends on a group vote, after they’ve heard pitches by representatives of three organizations related to their quarterly topic. The topics are chosen by the members at the last meeting of each year; members then nominate relevant organizations/agencies, and an online vote sets the three who are presented, usually by the members who nominated them.
As for the money – board members say that while people can opt in and out as their circumstances change, they’ve remained fairly steady at “about 200” members, which means a gift of about $20,000 per quarter. They generally stay away from “political or religious”-oriented recipients, and also recognize that “if a member isn’t aligned with the views of a beneficiary, they can opt out.” Most members are from West Seattle, White Center, Burien, and vicinity), and they focus on the greater Seattle area, though one upcoming meeting will zero in on potential beneficiaries in “Hyperlocal West Seattle.”
This quarter’s gathering was Tuesday night at the Center for Active Living (recipient of an Impact West Seattle gift last year). Attendees mingled for a bit, enjoying what Welcome Road Winery (WSB sponsor) was pouring, and then it was time to get down to business – after a few celebratory words from the night’s emcee, board member Hannah Gregg, with a bouquet of balloons as a backdrop.
The half-million-dollars of donations to date was “really great to celebrate,” she said, declaring that they’re looking forward to the next half-million.
Before their attention turned toward a new round of potential recipients, they listened to a recipient from last quarter, which had addressed food insecurity. Alimentado al Pueblo‘s executive director Roxana Pardo Garcia said the question her nonprofit sought to address is “why is there not a food bank that gives people what they eat?” And yet the food bank model itself needed to be transformed, too, she explained: “Our future exists because of our ability to imagine.” To the question “what did you use the money for?” Pardo Garcia had a long list, including support for small businesses and organizations that comprise “our Latino food system.” She also mentioned new needs that had just arisen – such as losing an AmeriCorps volunteer who was supposed to be helping them through September, gone because of a budget axe the Trump Administration hurled at the program.
Then came time for the night’s three presentations. These, Impact West Seattle leaders explained, are not only meant to help members decide where to direct the quarterly gift, but also to educate them about organizations and programs they may not previously been aware of. The night’s theme related to assistance for people with disabilities.
The first spotlight shone on Mainstay, described as a job-placement agency for people wtih developmental and intellectual disabilities – starting with some startling stats: 67% of people with these disabilities who don’t have a job by 21 will never have one. But with Mainstay, which is headquartered at Seattle Central College, 92 percent of job seekers found employment. It was explained that Mainstay not only coaches the potential employees, but also their prospective co-workers. As a result, the workers living with disabilities get jobs and keep them for years.
It does all this with an annual budget of just $1.2 million a year, with 12 staffers assisting more than 100 jobseekers.
When asked “what could a gift like this do for you?” the reply was that it could help Mainstay help clients who don’t qualify for funding otherwise.
Second up was Rebuilding Together Seattle, which matches up volunteers, local businesses, and community organizations to handle projects at 100 homes a year, enabling people living near the federal poverty line to stay in their homes. Maybe they need a wheelchair ramp or new flooring, for example, though not extensive projects such as new roofs. RTS assists people in a variety of categories – seniors, veterans, people living with disabilities, families. When people are approved for help, it usuallu happens within a year. The idea is that “keeping people safe and healthy in their community helps the community.” Rebuilding Together Seattle has only three fulltime staff, but will also have to figure out how to cope with the AmeriCorps cut, as they routinely had one or two volunteers from that program.
Then they heard about the Washington State Council of Firefighters Foundation‘s Camp Eyabsut for burn survivors ages 5 to 17. Jenny and her daughter Layla – a burn survivor – told the story of how the camp helped kids and teens on their “long journey to healing” – teaching them Eyabsut, which means “to rise above everything.” Layla explained that burns can leave you feeling like activities such as making s’mores or wearing a swimsuit are “risky” – until you are in a place like Camp Eyabsut, where you can be yourself. Attendance is free; the counselors are mostly adult burn survivors, and there’s on-site medical staff including therapy dogs. It’s run entirely by volunteers (including Seattle firefighters), so expenses are kept low; cost for each camper is about $1,500, so the gift would go a long way. This year’s volunteers will include the mother-daughter team, said Layla, who told the group, “The road to recovery for a young burn survivor is lifelong.”
After all three presentations, it was time to vote. Members who can’t get to the meeting can do it from wherever they are, via a QR code.
Mainstay was announced at the top vote-getter. The other two featured organizations usually benefit too, with members choosing to make their own gifts; Jenny told us Camp Eyabsut got warm words from many people she talked with after the meeting (its donation link is here – be sure to write the camp’s name in the “in honor/memory” spot – and Rebuilding Together Seattle accepts donations too). IWS co-founder Rachel Lazar told WSB that the highlighted organizations benefit in many ways: “Often our members will sign up to volunteer, or donate directly to the organizations. We have even had two members take full time roles with two of the nonprofits presented!”
So what happens now? Everyone makes their gifts via an online platform, and it sends the check. Then Impact West Seattle starts looking ahead to its next gathering – the July 28th topic will be legal advocacy, the October 23rd meeting will be the one focused on “hyperlocal West Seattle.” Along with the monetary gifts, they’re also starting food drives at their meetings, asking members to bring nonperishable food to donate.
Visitors too – here’s the upcoming meeting schedule so you can drop in to see if you’d be interested in getting involved.
(WSB photo by Anne Higuera)
Of the many groups and organizations presenting events in West Seattle today, this one was unique – Renton-based Progress Pushers, focusing on youth empowerment. They presented a resource fair at Delridge Community Center, geared to their mission “to guide, educate, and empower Black and brown youth and those most impacted by societal systems by connecting them to mentors and much-needed skills and opportunities so they can live in their greatness.” They mentor youth with trained “Credible Messengers” and told us that many of those involved have changed their lives from a path they want to help youth avoid – some have been in the incarceration system, for example. Mentors help youth through teaching life skills, leadership development, and job readiness, as well as working with them on results-based projects. Interested in getting involved? admin@progresspushers.org
(L-R, Caitlin Boyer, Tara Kankesh, Lucia Stemm-Calderon, Annika Lindberg, Adelyn Martin, Ember Wonder)
Thanks to Jen for the photo and report from the Seattle chapter of the American Association of University Women‘s reception this week honoring its 2025 STEM Scholars – high-school juniors recognized for outstanding achievement in math, science, and technology. The six students in the photo, nominated by teachers for the recognition, are the local honorees from Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School:
Chief Sealth IHS – Caitlin Boyer (math), Tara Kankesh (science), and Ember Wonder (technology)
West Seattle – Annika Lindberg (math), Lucia Stemm-Calderon (science), and Adelyn Martin (technology)
According to short biographies in the event program, Cailin plans to pursue a Ph.D. in astrophysics, Tara plans to go into pre-med studies, Ember is interested in a computer-science career, Annika expects to major in engineering, Lucia plans to study biology, and Adelyn is mulling a career in “biology, tech, or finance.”
They were joined by other scholars from around the city at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture, where they received certificates and monetary awards. They also got to hear from keynote speaker Alyssa Lind, an educator, researcher, and diver with the Seattle Aquarium who holds a master’s degree in marine biology. The announcement also notes:
The mission of AAUW is to advance gender equity through research, education, and advocacy. AAUW Seattle has been recognizing and honoring high school girls for their talents in math, science, and technology since 2001. The decision to recognize these students in their junior year was made to allow them to add this significant honor to their college applications. Learn more about the Seattle branch of AAUW and STEM Scholar Recognition Program at aauw-seattle.org
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