Last Friday morning (April 17), over 200 people gathered at Cedarbrook Lodge in SeaTac to support Highline Schools Foundation at its annual Gold Star Awards Breakfast, where they helped raised over $95,000 – a record.

The amount raised this year surpasses last year’s record of $92,000.

This annual event benefits all students in Highline Public Schools by supporting academic needs, college & career readiness programs, arts and athletic experiences in school, and many more unique and individual needs in Highline.

“I have no doubt we will surpass the $100,000 mark for funds raised from this event,” said Foundation Executive Director, Ashley Fosberg. “Donations are still coming in, and we are eager to see what our ‘ Text to Give’ ption bring us,” she added.

At the event, emcee Pete Fewing challenged attendees to ask 10 people to text the word IMPACT which would provide a $10 donation to the Foundation (added to the donor’s cell phone bill.)

“The energy in the room was electric,” said Foundation President Erin Ambrozic. “Now more than ever, the community needs to wrap around the students in Highline to get them what they need to succeed. You could definitely feel the support in the room,” she added.

Highlights from the 2015 Gold Star Awards Breakfast include:

  • Music from Mount Rainier High School Chamber Strings—and an emotive national anthem played on violin by Hayley Camp.
  • The surprise announcement of a $5,000 scholarship to Cecilia Vu, Senior at Technology, Engineering & Communications High School (TEC), awarded by Alaska Airlines.
  • A thoughtful thank you from Outstanding Alumnus award recipient, Michael Strand, who flew from his home in Singapore where he works for Microsoft, to accept the award. Mr. Strand eloquently acknowledged the teachers in Highline that had an impact on him.
  • The announcement of a new, $6,000 Foundation scholarship provided by Burien’s Tin Room to a graduating senior attending a trade school.
  • The surprise gift of two First Class tickets on Alaska Airlines to Outstanding Teacher Yazmin Gil from Hilltop Elementary School.

And the honoring of the following 2015 Highline Schools Foundation Gold Star Award winners:

  • Outstanding Teacher – Yazmin Gil, Teacher, Kindergarten Dual Language, Hilltop Elementary School
  • Outstanding Administrator – Anne Arnold, Director, PreK-3 Early Learning, Instruction & Innovation
  • Outstanding Alumnus – Michael Strand, Director of Microsoft Business Solutions, Asia Pacific, EHS Class of ’84
  • Outstanding Professional Staff – Barb Wilson, College Access Specialist, Student Advancement
  • Gold Star Rookie Teacher of the Year – Kimberly Campi, Teacher, Grade 2, McMicken Heights Elementary School
  • Outstanding Volunteer – Bill Tracy, Community Volunteer

Highline Schools Foundation’s mission is to raise funds, gather resources, and build partnerships that support the students in Highline Public Schools.

Learn more about the Foundation at www.highlineschoolsfoundation.org.

Since 2007, The B-Town Blog is Burien’s multiple award-winning hyperlocal news/events website dedicated to independent journalism.