Empower Youth Network’s 27th annual Rise and Shine Volunteer Recognition Breakfast celebrated outstanding community volunteers and students on June 5 at the Riverview Education Center in Duvall.
EYN “works to build, support and coordinate community leadership to promote health and wellness through effective strategies to make the Snoqualmie Valley a place where all residents thrive,” according to its website.
“We are here to celebrate volunteers who go above and beyond in supporting youth and families in the Snoqualmie Valley. We want to say a big thank you to all of you who are involved in these important efforts,” said Max Harrison, executive director of Empower Youth Network, at the event.
A list of scholarship and volunteer winners can be seen below:
Youth Scholarship Awards
Sophie Theriault Youth Voice: This scholarship is available to all Snoqualmie Valley high school seniors applying for continuing education in 2023-43. This scholarship is for youth who have used their voice and perspective in a way that made (or will make) life better or easier for others.
• Rohana Joshi
• Hanna Baker
Tanner Electric Scholarship: This scholarship is available to graduating seniors planning to continue their education in any STEM-related field.
• Fischer Jeanes
Rise and Shine Volunteer Awards
Youth nominees: Youth in grades 4-12 whose volunteer efforts actively support and inspire other youth to lead safe, healthy, and successful lives.
• Zach Llenza
• Karis Paul
Volunteer nominees: A volunteer working directly with the Empower Youth Network. They may be behind the scenes, a chairperson or a board member. They are dependable, demonstrate initiative and model follow-through.
• Jan Formisano
• Kathy Stensland
• Kim Weiss
• Matt and Stefanie Knowlton
• Tassin Smith
Community nominees: A volunteer in our community who goes above and beyond by leading efforts to address needs, developing and leading activities or events, or volunteering in the background. This person’s involvement benefits the community and connects with the Empower Youth Network’s mission.
• Debra Landers
• Chad Egger
• Melody and Terry Granillo
• Pepper Allphin
• Sallie McLaughlin
• Amy Walker and Judith Milstein
• Emily Mossell
• Jutta Lipsky
• Diane Johnson
• Kim Jones
• Melissa Natarajan
• Raza Naqvi
• Caesar Cypher
• Alyssa Cypher
• Todd Brown
• Eric Bie
• Lee Tostevin
Business nominees: This business goes above and beyond by sponsoring, donating, and helping youth in our community in a way connected to the Empower Youth Network’s mission. They are businesses that step up to help by initiating involvement or responding to a request to be involved.
• Remlinger Farms: Nathan Sherfey
• The Giving Canvas: Meenakshi Sinha
• Aahaar Indian Restaurant: Ramya Balachandran
• Saints and Scholars Irish Pub: Amanda Stoffel and Adrian Webb
• Miller’s – A Gathering Place: Nancy Colton, Bill Pritchard and Jules Hughes
Lifetime Achievement Award
• Laura Smith: Empower Youth Network
