School district honors retirees and volunteers

The school district honored its volunteers – a vital group of more than 70 strong – along with retirees and colleagues not returning here in the fall with a reception and awards program at the middle school gym June 7.

The 90-minute event led off with school administrators and staff praising the volunteers, who lent their time and expertise across academic activities at all grade levels.

“Just think of all that volunteer time,” said Superintendent Will Nelson, serving as the afternoon’s master of ceremonies. “I can’t imagine that you could calculate all that volunteer time.”

The La Conner Rotary Club and La Conner Hook & Ladder were also saluted for making a difference in the lives of local students.

The Rotarians were recognized as the elementary school’s Volunteers of the Year.

“They come back month after month and support La Conner Elementary in meaningful ways,” said principal Heather Fakkema-Hovde.

Counselor Lori Buher accepted the award on behalf of the Rotary Club.

High school head football coach Charlie Edwards and school board member Lynette Cram were recipients of Volunteer of the Year Awards for athletics.

“Charlie was here in the morning, in the afternoon, helping with eligibility, grade checks and the like,” said Director of Athletics Mikki Gifford. “He has been a very valuable asset. Charlie went well beyond his coaching and parent roles.”

Gifford also said that Cram was a constant presence at sports events.

“She made sure she was here to provide her medical expertise for our student-athletes,” she said. “Lynette makes sure our kids are taken care of.”

Gifford also recognized middle school coach Joel Hingston as willing to take on any assignment as needed.

Terri Cunningham, who has faithfully volunteered at La Conner Schools for more than two decades, was saluted for a range of contributions at the secondary level.

Kevin Carlton was honored for being the “Go-To-Guy” when it comes to volunteering with high school math projects.

Dean Swanson was lauded by both Gifford and high school Principal Christine Tripp for his volunteer work on behalf of sports teams traveling to out-of-town tournaments.

Gifford herself was later honored for her one-year tenure here as athletic director and high school assistant principal, taking on that dual position when her predecessor Kathy Herrera took a leave of absence.

Gifford was one of nine La Conner staff members bidding farewell. Also leaving the district are social worker Tammie White, math instructor Donna Morris, American Sign Language teacher Hope Star, drama instructor Alicia Pedroza, Helen Maura Jurenka, Michelle Slater, Connie Anderson and Jackie Nickel.

Tripp praised all for their dedication along with the work and perspectives each provided the district.

Fakkema-Hovde praised the contributions made by retiring elementary school counselor and music teacher Shegay Vanderpool since the 1990s, thanking her for her professionalism.

“I was able to confide in Shegay,” Fakkema-Hovde said, “and she never let me down. Her office became my safe place.

“Lots of kids have been impacted by Shegay,” said Fakkema-Hovde, noting Vanderpool’s nearly half-century in education, with stops at schools in Arizona and California prior to La Conner.

District librarian Beth Clothier paid tribute to retiring library aide Kelly Silva, thanking the 21-year local paraprofessional for her devotion to students and their academic progress.

Executive Assistant to the Superintendent Cherri Kahns said all those honored have contributed to the success and achievement of district students.

“They have made a difference,” Kahns said, “in so many lives.”