Spokane Public Schools Students and Staff Recognized at 2024 Chase Youth Awards

Chase Youth Awards at the Fox Theater, April 23, 2024 from Spokane Public Schools on Vimeo.

The Chase Youth Awards, Spokane's annual recognition of outstanding youth in the greater Spokane area, were handed out April 23, and students and staff from Spokane Public Schools were well represented.

SPS students and staff took home 17 of the 43 awards handed out in categories ranging from leadership to compassion to cultural awareness and more. Watch the event above, and here are the winners from SPS:

Elementary School Student: Arts and Creativity

Dakota Potter, Bryant/TEC

Dakota has always loved to sing, started taking classes and over time is getting better and better. She is so good that our brothers wrestling coach asked her to sing at a tournament where she did so well she was asked to sing the national anthem at the State wrestling tournament. She sang in front of 21,000 people at the Tacoma Dome and received major applause for her performance. One of the organizers reached out and asked her to sing the national anthem at the 2024 Women's National Wrestling Championship where she will also be on TV. Quite an accomplishment for a nine year old and a great example of how young girls can achieve great things through hard work and dedication.

Elementary School Group: Arts and Creativity

Mullan Road Elementary Kelso Kids

The Kelso Kids volunteer their time during recess and lunch to model appropriate peacemaking skills and conflict resolution. Kelso's Choices is an elementary curriculum that teaches problem solving skills to young students. These students write their own skits and demonstrate the ways to solve small problems, performing for kindergarten and first grade classrooms. They end their presentation teaching the kids a song they all perform together. These students have shown maturity, responsibility, role modeling and creativity this year.

Teen Group: Arts and Creativity

Shadle Park High School Theatre

In my 30 years of teaching, I have never seen a more diverse group of students working together, and for one play there was no such thing as a marginalized community. The entire cast should get an award, but I am particularly proud of 5 students. Dominic is the first student with Down Syndrome to take a theater class.  He worked hard to break a barrier. Because of his example, 17 students with learning impairments or difficulties ended up in the theatre program. George is also a person with developmental delays. The most important thing he did was kick the door open for all students who are not neurotypical. Two of their neurotypical peers, Malaya and Alyssa really enjoyed acting with George and Dom and did an amazing job of helping them find success in the program. Finally, Jamie was the student leader for the event. She was organized and made sure all the students felt valued and heard. We recognize them for the successful inclusion of historically underrepresented students in the theatre program.

Middle School Student: Community Service

Marielle Sokoloff, Bryant/TEC

I distinctly remember walking through the door and seeing Marielle standing at the kitchen counter with a stack of paper bags, bags of bread, jars of peanut butter and jelly, and bags of oranges. She made bags complete with a water bottle, sandwich, an orange, coupled with a blanket, to hand out to homeless people she saw living on the streets of Spokane. She spent hours delivering those bags and you would never know this is a girl who is too shy to talk to new people.

Elementary School Student: Compassion

Tori Trimble, Hutton Elementary

Tori has Down Syndrome, but that's no what makes Tori different, it's her compassion, kindness and confidence that differentiates her from the rest. People always say "how does Tori know everybody?" and her mom and day always say it's because she isn't afraid to approach people and make friends. You could say that everybody needs a little bit of Tori in them. Who doesn't want a kind, sweet girl to come up and just be nice or play on the playground with kindness in their heart.

Middle School Student: Compassion

Levi Eberle, Scajawea Middle School

Levi has always wanted to help people and will often take time out of his day to help others. Levi is the youngest of five kids and rather than keep up with his siblings and their activities, he recently volunteered to regularly help his grandma with household chores. It's not common for a seventh grader to put their own interests aside to help others, but that's just his nature. His helpful nature also comes through at school in the way he interacts with his peers, always wiling to lend a helping hand wherever needed.

Teen: Compassion

Larissa Truax, Rogers High School

Larissa is one of the most observant Girl Scouts in the Council and is always looking to help others. Attending school at Rogers, she sees many needs in her neighborhood. One thing she noticed is the lack of fellowship at retirement centers. She decided to adopt a retirement center and bring some brightness there, so she brings decorations for every holiday. Christmas, Easter, 4th of July, and fall festival she adds color to the retirement center walls, bringing smiles to the residents. She also set up times with the activity director to do activities with the residents, always smiling when she comes to visit. She goes the extra mile and there are no traffic jams on that extra mile.

Teen Group: Cultural Awareness

Ferris High School Hispanic Honor Society

In conjunction with the American Association of Teachers of Spanish's new group of Ambassadors, members who are heritage Spanish speakers from around the globe who have relocated to Spokane, the Ferris Hispanic Honor Society started a Conversation Club in which both Spanish and English language learners convene weekly to practice conversational skills. This Club validates our youth's confidence and identity in heritage language and cultures, while also demystifying diversity and creating empathy among youth.  In addition, they organized a partnership with the Spokane Public Language Immersion program at the Libby Center, working with students from 1st - 6th grade on Readers Theater, preparing a play called Trabajando Juntos (working together), continuing language development. There is no doubt that having serious helpers in younger language classrooms is a wonderful asset to developing multilingual youth!

Middle School Group: Innovation

Sacajawea Middle School Advanced Engineering, semesters 1 and 2

Semester 1:

After researching some of the common problems associated with Alzheimer's, the students learned that seniors living with dementia and Alzheimer's become confused and anxious about being on time. Their day is based on a schedule revolving around breakfast, lunch and dinner, and in such cases, a reliable clock designed with seniors specific needs in mind can make a significant difference in their daily lives. The students then decided to create pendulum clocks for patients at Royal Park Retirement Facility. They crafted beautiful one-of-a-kind clocks using a CAD program, laser cutters, 3D printers and measurements. When the clocks were completed the kids delivered them and met with the 30 seniors in the activity room, enjoying conversation, cookies and hot chocolate.  

Semester 2:

These students chose to work with JOYA Child and Family Development Center and after being presented with a dozen challenges from the head educational specialist, they decided to focus on mobility. When students researched wheelchairs, they were shocked to learn that they are made for mass market and haven't really changed over the last four decades.  Students build wheelchairs with the newest digital technology to give two boys mobility, safety and accessibility. The students began with a Porsche car seat, using it as a base and built a removable robotic wheelchair custom-made for each of the boys. One of the boys was unable to use his arms so students created a joystick he could move with his chin. Students also invented three smaller wheelchairs and tummy devices to improve children's core strength; a visual and tactile light wall similar to a light bright that teachers, parents and students can manipulate to create words, pictures, or just work on hand-eye coordination; and ten therapy toys for all students at JOYA.

Elementary School Group: Leadership

Wilson Elementary Leadership Team

The leadership students recognized that it can be hard for new students to feel a sense of belonging when they enter their school. To address this, they focused their attention on a plan to welcome new students and parents called the Wilson Welcome Wagon, giving them a tour and introducing them to key staff members. They are then paired with a buddy, someone they can sit with at lunch and play with at recess, introducing them to new friends their first few days of school. In addition to supporting new students, the leadership team is embracing the traits of belonging and inclusion by looking out for any students who may feel lonely. They support school wide assemblies and create skits to teach our community about the important character traits such as kindness, empathy and teamwork. These leaders are having a positive impact on their school culture by embodying the message that you don't have to change and fit in to belong, we welcome and celebrate you just as you are.

Middle School Student: Leadership

Adler Masiarek, Flett Middle School

Adler is involved in so many things at Flett and does them all with a can-do attitude, taking on many different roles, all with a smile. At Flett, we have a house system where students are grouped into one of four houses, students are required to run for election for head of house and are voted on by their peers. Adler has been head of house for two years, leading his house, uniting others and encouraging them to get involved in competitions. Students often comment how good he is at this role and they are so thankful for his being part of their house. He is also part of the student leadership group for Flett. He is involved in organizing activities to build community, and is a compassionate leader who knows how to balance taking the lead with stepping aside to provide opportunities for others. He is one of the kindest students and his level of commitment is unparalleled. He is committed to bettering himself, his classmates, his teammates, and his school community.

Middle School Student: Personal Achievement

Esther Mutono, Yasuhara Middle School

Esther was born in the country of Malawi, her parents are from the Congo and her primary language is Swahili, though she also speaks Fuliiru, Chichewa and English. She is incredibly welcoming to new students at Yasuhara, especially those who arrive from other countries. She has made so much progress in her academic English vocabulary, she has helped translate to other students. Esther applied, interviewed and was selected to be in the AVID course at Yasuhara where she continues to thrive as a student. She is a member of ASB and regularly attends meetings and participates in events to help our school community. Esther is a stellar academic student who consistently has A's and B's despite only attending US schools for 2 years. She is consistently looking for ways to learn new skills, meet new people and help her school and community.

Teen Group: Personal Achievement

Lewis and Clark High School Boys Long Distance Track Team

The boys team was completing a hill repeats workout when their Volunteer Assistant Coach experienced a medical emergency and collapsed. The young man who was next to him quickly summoned help from the others. They immediately called 911 and the others rolled him over, cleared his airway and began CPR. The team immediately took on a variety of rolls; some summoned help from neighbors, others went to the nearest intersection to direct emergency personnel, while some upperclassmen moved the younger athletes away from the situation while a focused group performed life saving measures on the coach. When emergency personnel arrived, they quickly revived coach with electric shock. A number of doctors, first responders, and medical personnel went out of their way to comment on what effective CPR was performed on coach and he likely would not have survived without it. This group exemplifies what team is about and how to care for eachother and work together when it matters most.

Elementary School Student: Social Advocacy

Marie Ross, Wilson Elementary School

Marie is a shy kid who has always been very meek. Despite that, she is not afraid to advocate for the good of her school and classmates. The skit group at her school needed some extra funding for an activity they were planning, so she took the initiative to gather some of the other members and attend the parent-teacher group meetings to present their ideas and ask for financial support. Until she joined this group, she did not like talking to people she didn't know, let alone a room of adult strangers, but her conviction was strong and her desire to help them was put above her own fears.  

Teen Group: Social Advocacy

Lewis and Clark High School Hope Squad

Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program built around the power of connection. Hope Squad members have a goal of preventing suicide through public awareness and education, reducing stigma, and serving as a resource to those touched by suicide. The program is aimed at spreading hope, increasing help-seeking behavior, and fostering community and connection.  Hope Squad members are nominated and chosen by their classmates as trustworthy peers. Since first introduced at LCHS in September of this school year, the Hope Squad has already helped 9 students, assisting them with everything ranging from a serious mental health crisis to conflict resolution. In February, they put on an amazing hope week where they promoted positive school culture through education and activities to bring further awareness. This group is working together to reduce stigma and bring positive influence to their school culture.

James E. Chase Adult Award

Fondra Magee, Stevens Elementary

Fondra's contribution and impact to Stevens Elementary is so profound that she was recently named Washington State Counselor of the Year! She goes above and beyond daily, tirelessly working to ensure our students and families are cared for emotionally, physically and mentally. Stevens is a high-needs school with approximately 93% of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch, experiencing homelessness, and many coping with significant levels of trauma. In response to those challenges, Fondra has created a counseling program that addresses the comprehensive well-being of our students. Her commitment to meeting the diverse needs of our students is evident through her application of play therapy, innovative classroom lessons addressing social skills, playground etiquette, and behavior management, and her individualized approaches in connecting with and meeting the needs of students and families from many different backgrounds. Fondra also actively engages our parents and guardians through initiatives such as the "Coffee with Counselors" group where valuable parenting skills are shared. The relationships and safe spaces Fondra provides our students are also extended to our families and it shows in the trusting relationships she has built with them as a partner in their child's education and well-being. Fondra's work will continue to inspire and make a lasting difference in the lives of our students, families and staff, as well as all those she serves.