On Saturday, April 28 the district hosted its third annual Heroes Banquet to celebrate community partners whose extraordinary efforts ensure each Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) scholar reaches his or her full potential. This banquet aligns with FWPS strategic plan pillar 2 “Schools can’t do it alone,” and honors the heroes that make a difference for scholars.

“True leaders such as our community partners are always thinking about the possibilities, hope and inspiration for our young people,” said Dr. Tammy Campbell, FWPS superintendent. “That’s the only way we’re going to solve what we know to be our most important work which is building our future so our scholars kick open those doors to accomplish their dreams. The Heroes Banquet is a way to say thank you to our community for leaning in, and giving to our scholars and school system.”

Over 150 community members, FWPS board members, principals, administrators, students, and parents attended the event held at Todd Beamer High School.

Everything the district does is driven by scholar voice — they’re at the heart of the work.

Staying true to that mission, the event was emceed by Cedric Dennard II and Tiya Proctor-Floyd — scholar advisors to the superintendent. Other scholars including Dakne Blanco-Ramirez, Ava Campbell, Achalay Reyes, Cloe Poole and Anthony Carrillo ushered and took photos at the event.

Allen Benjamin Tugade and Hakeem Shibly from Thomas Jefferson High School delivered hero themed speeches, and the audience enjoyed performances by the Decatur High School jazz band, and the state and national award winning Todd Beamer High School dance team.

Each school, and the district, nominated people or organizations who have made a difference at each site. The honorees are as follows.

Elementary school honorees:

• Adelaide Elementary School: Misty and Omar Lara
• Brigadoon Elementary School: Valerie Carey
• Camelot Elementary School: Carmen Brown
• Enterprise Elementary School: Kerry Holt
• Green Gables Elementary School: Shauna Higgins
• Lake Dolloff Elementary School: Federal Way United Methodist Church
• Lake Grove Elementary School: Patrick Claffey, Domino’s Pizza
• Lakeland Elementary School: Kiwanis Club of Greater Federal Way
• Mark Twain Elementary School: Golden State Foods Foundation
• Meredith Hill Elementary School: Philip Ziegler, Therapy Dogs International
• Mirror Lake Elementary School: St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
• Nautilus K–8: Dory Bronger, Christ’s Church
• Olympic View Elementary School: Northwest Church
• Panther Lake Elementary School: Gina Holcomb
• Rainier View Elementary School: Julia Manzo Rodriguez
• Sherwood Forest Elementary School: Aurora Leal, Taco Bell
• Silver Lake Elementary School: Patti Oliver
• Star Lake Elementary School: Misty Jasper
• Sunnycrest Elementary School: Allison Rodriguez
• Twin Lakes Elementary School: Anna Barrett
• Valhalla Elementary School: Rotary Club of Federal Way
• Wildwood Elementary School: Christian Faith School
• Woodmont K–8: Katy Kachmarik, Mast Center

Secondary school honorees:

• Decatur High School: Wendy Musiak, Decatur band booster club
• Employment Transition Program: Caffe’ D’Arte
• Federal Way High School: Federal Way High School PTSA
• Federal Way Open Doors: Elsa Alvarado
• Federal Way Public Academy: Larry Huisinga, Microsoft Production Studios
• Illahee Middle School: Illahee PTA Board
• Kilo Middle School: Toysmith
• Lakota Middle School: Shyan Selah
• Sacajawea Middle School: Steve Sims
• Sequoyah Middle School: Shelley Pauls, Family Life Community Church
• TAF@Saghalie: Sigma PHI BETA
• Thomas Jefferson High School: Cross Life Community Church
• Todd Beamer High School: Judge David A. Larson
• Totem Middle School: Communities in Schools of Federal Way
• Truman Campus: Jon Brown

FWPS district honorees:

• Citizens For Federal Way Schools
• Family Life Community Church
• PURE (Perseverance, Unity, Respect, Education)
• Rotary Club of Federal Way