REANNE CHARUHAS

Some people have a gift of working with other students. Not just any students, the ones who are disconnected, hurting and left out by the rest of the school population. Reanne Charuhas has this gift. Students at Sumner High School flock to Reanne because they know that she will love them no matter what, listen to them, and be supportive. She pays attention to people and meets their needs through one little act of service at a time. Reanne has changed her school through this approach. Her impact is far greater because she is daily planting seeds very intentionally in the hearts of those around her, permeating her school with love and kindness, which creates a climate where all people want to be there, not because they have to be there. This year, Reanne was also Sumner High School’s acting fairy godmother, granting over 700 wishes to her fellow students while she chaired the Winter Wishes Project. Some wishes were small, like otter pops for every student or new clothing items for someone in need, while others were large, like the $1,000 check donated to the American Cancer Society in the name of a student’s father who had recently passed away from cancer. Reanne is a gifted student leader who has touched the lives of everyone at Sumner High School.

CRYSTAL BROWN

Described as a “beacon of service”, Crystal Brown has been a valuable asset to Bonney Lake High School and the entire community. Her kind and caring personality is embodied in the way she reaches out every day to those who are on the social fringes. Crystal goes about quietly serving – not seeking the accolades, only for her desire to make the world a better place in which to live. An active member and officer of the Key Club, Crystal has played a very important role as a leader and mentor, participating in a wide variety of activities including Relay for Life, many fundraising events, and annual food drive. She is involved in community events and organizes the family Christmas Party and Easter Egg Hunt for hundreds of children in Prairie Ridge, volunteers at open houses and the community summit, and is often the first to arrive and last to leave. Crystal is a weekly volunteer at the Cedar Ridge senior community, where she uses her rare gift to serve the elderly population. She planned the senior citizens prom event and got other students involved. Crystal’s positive attitude is contagious, and as a result is admired by her peers, teachers, and the many individuals whose lives she touches in the community.

JACKEE BECHTOLD

Jackee Bechtold is described as an “expert volunteer” who has been active in the Sumner community her entire life. A long-time school volunteer and project chair at Maple Lawn, Sumner Middle School and Sumner High School, Jackee also volunteers for the district’s athletic department. She is active in the Sumner Rotary where she has hosted the annual Honors Night, volunteers for Relay for Life, Sumner Freedom Fest, downtown Christmas decorating, and has helped design and build Sumner’s Daffodil float for at least 10 years. By profession, Jackee is a hair stylist and she offers her services to assisted care facilities and makes our seniors feel special and pampered. In her spare time, she does costuming for Victorian Country Christmas and for a local children’s dance studio. Many of you may know Jackee in her role as the Sumner High School Daffodil Princess Coordinator, a huge yearly undertaking to prepare the senior girls to represent Sumner in the Daffodil Festival. Those who know Jackee describe her as “always there, everywhere, willing to help with anything and everything, and never looking for recognition.”

SAMANTHA BRENDIBLE

“Tireless, dedicated, irreplaceable” describe Samantha Brendible, an amazing community and school volunteer. The community activities that Samantha is involved in include Friends of the Sumner Library, Sumner Middle School, Lions 4 Kids House and heading many projects for Daffodil Valley Elementary School’s PTA. However, it was her tremendous impact that went far beyond just volunteering at Daffodil Valley that has brought significant and long-lasting change to the families of that school. Samantha inspired other parents and community members to play active roles in the school. She created a program highlighting the Latino culture, which served as a bridge between the school and many of its Latino families. These families now frequently participate in school events and have since formed their own Latino parent group to further support their school. Samantha has a kind and positive presence and possesses a gift with working with students to build their self-esteem. Without question or exception, and with great enthusiasm, Samantha works for the good of the community on many levels.

BEAUTIFY BONNEY LAKE

Who can mobilize a team of 550 volunteers in one day for the benefit of the community? That would be the non-profit organization “Beautify Bonney Lake”. Founded in 2004, the vision was to work together with the city and local businesses to improve the visual appeal of the visual appeal of the City of Bonney Lake. After a mere two months of work by the newly-formed leadership team, the first Beautify Bonney Lake event was held with 200 volunteers. In 2005, 300 volunteers came out and more locations were added around the city. Beautify Bonney Lake was awarded non-profit status shortly thereafter and each year the event grows. Volunteers from churches, the senior center, businesses and other organizations come out to be a part of this amazing movement. Students involved in service clubs, sports teams, and others who care about the community rally for the cause. In addition, homeowner’s associations and residents in housing developments get on board to clean around common areas and businesses are encouraged to do the same. Community pride brings about community caring, mutual respect, and neighbors working together. Beautify Bonney Lake is truly a partnership with all of the community as it invests in future generations.