Contributors are sought for the Highline Public Schools and Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence inaugural Highline Public Schools Scholar-Athlete, Coach and Community Recognition Banquet on Tuesday, May 22. A dessert banquet will be held at Mount Rainier High School at 6:00 p.m. Scholarship recipients, coaches, community and business contributors and sponsors will be honored.

Scholarships will be given to some or all of the student nominees. Recipients, and their award totals s will be determined by the amount of contributions received. Event organizer Terri McMahan, Highline School District Director of Athletics, is asking for your help. She ran a similar program she started in 2002 when she was Edmonds Athletic Director. That program has since raised over $300,000.

"Our goal is to raise enough money to give a scholarship to each student," said McMahan, a West Seattle resident. "We honor 16 high school seniors, four from each campus, two boys and two girls. They are required to have played at least one sport their senior year, maintain a 3.2 or above GPA, have no athletic code violations, and have good community service. So these are well-balanced, highly motivated kids and we're just working hard to give them a hand up toward their post-secondary education goals.

"These scholarship dollars would transfer to the college of their choice, including community college or a technical program," she said. "We have many in our district who can use our help. We're proud of these kids and are working to shine a positive light on the program. We already have some wonderful contributions from local business. Emerald Cove Catering in Normandy Park is providing dessert."

Photography by Steven, Print Place, Gram’s Gift Closet and Awards by Wilson are also making significant contributions (photography, program printing and awards.

Master of Ceremony is Normandy Park resident Dick Fain, KJR Radio host who does Seattle Storm play by play. He is a 1992 graduate of Mount Rainier High School where he played basketball and swam on the state championship team. He then went to UW and was a member of the Husky Marching band. He received his Masters Degree in Sports Administration from Seattle University in 2011. He coaches boys basketball at Mount Rainier High School.

Quarterback Jack Thompson, the "Throwin' Samoan", is engaged in the program. He is a former White Center resident and Evergreen High School graduated. He played for Washington State, then went on to the pros in 1979, playing with Cincinnati and then Tampa Bay.

"Between Jack and his three sisters, they have all taken an interest in helping our kids and this program," McMahan said. "He really has a passion for high school kids. I love the guy.

"Ashley Fosberg and the Highline Schools Foundation Board have been inspiring, too," added McMahan. "Having the Foundation involved has helped us secure sponsors and Ashley has been a very positive supporter of this event.

"I think over time we can grow sponsorship because there is great recognition of need in Highline School District because people who give really know it is going toward kids who need it," she said. "Few things are farther-reaching than education. By helping some kids now with a hand up they will come back and help others in the future."

Student nominees: Michelle Chen, Omar Delgado, Araceli Esparza, Jennalee Gould, Alexis Gregerson, Derek Ingraham, Kris King, Riley Koback, Maria Prieto, Rob Rink, Annesha Smith, Chelsie Still, Michelle Stolz, Darrin Sun, Paul Toala, and Moises Torres.

High School Coach Honorees: Tim Crawley of Highline, Gordan Kadric of Tyee, Alison Kestle of Mount Rainier, and Tony White of Evergreen.

Middle School Coach Honorees: Rachelle Camacho of Chinook, Kirk Lerwick of Sylvester, Kaitlyn Spore of Cascade, and Phil Wallen of Pacific.

Community Honorees: Valerie Allan of Highline, Dave & Teresa Bush of Tyee, Sili & "T" Savusa of Evergreen, and Jerry Thornton of Mount Rainier.

To learn more, and to donate online, visit: www.highlineschoolsfoundation.org and click "DONATE ONLINE" at the bottom of their article on "Scholar-Athlete, Coach, and Community Recognition Program."

Checks can be made out to "Highline Schools Foundation" and mailed to: 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Burien, WA 98166