Lori Box has been named the 2024 Highline High School Alumni Foundation Alumnus of the Year. She is currently in her 12th year as Athletic Director at Highline High School and her 23rd year as a Highline Public Schools employee.
Box earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Washington in 1993 and a Master of Teaching from the University of Puget Sound in 1997. She began her teaching career at Auburn Riverside High School, where she taught Language Arts and Yearbook. In 2001, she took a teaching position at Evergreen High School because she wanted to return to her local school district, with the goal of eventually working at Highline High School. At Evergreen, she taught Language Arts and had the opportunity to teach her first Leadership class.
In 2004, Box accepted a position at Highline High as the Activities Coordinator. During her time at Highline, she has taught Language Arts, AVID, Yearbook, and Leadership. In 2013, she became the Athletic Director, and by 2018, she was running Athletics full-time. Before becoming the Athletic Director, Box coached boys’ and girls’ swimming as well as girls’ water polo.
As Athletic Director, Box oversees 21 sports programs, more than 50 coaches, and 450+ student-athletes. Under her leadership, Highline has added Girls’ Bowling, Girls’ Flag Football, and a Boys’ Soccer C-Team to its sports offerings. Box sets high standards for coaches and athletes, which has led to success on the field. During her tenure, Highline sports teams have achieved notable success, including football and baseball league championships, and state competitors in girls’ golf, girls’ tennis, boys’ and girls’ swimming, girls’ bowling, track, wrestling, and football.
Box is a passionate advocate for the Highline High School Alumni Foundation. She encourages students to apply for alumni scholarships, attends the annual golf tournament, and enjoys giving school tours to alumni and community members. She particularly enjoys connecting with alumni, both young and old, who visit the school or attend school events.
A proud Burien resident, Box ties to Highline run deep. Her parents graduated from Highline in 1959 and 1960, she graduated in 1985, and her children are Highline graduates of 2017, 2019, and 2023.
Box participates in local running events, including the Highline Schools Foundation Brat Trot. She has run the Ragnar NW Passage seven times and completed seven marathons.
When she’s not attending Highline sporting events, Box enjoys skiing with her husband Rick, walking her dogs Hudson and Elmer, or playing tennis and pickleball—especially at the new Highline courts.
