Riverview Honored at 2022 Rise and Shine Volunteer Breakfast

Video courtesy of Empower Youth Network's YouTube channel.

Each year, Empower Youth Network (EYN) hosts the Rise & Shine Volunteer Recognition Breakfast, an event honoring volunteers who make a significant difference in the lives of valley residents. The event brings together students and community members from Duvall, Carnation, Fall City, Snoqualmie, and North Bend, with nominators and recipients sharing the stage together.

The event, the 25th annual ceremony, took place on Wednesday, June 8, at the Riverview School District ESC Assembly Hall. Awards were presented in the category of “Youth,” “Volunteer,” “Community,” and “Business,” while also providing scholarships to valley students. This year, EYN presented two Lifetime Achievement Awards to Riverview’s retiring Superintendent, Dr. Anthony Smith, and City of Carnation Mayor, and long-time community volunteer, Kim Lisk.

Riverview-connected recipients from the event include:

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

• Tanner Caryl, Cedarcrest High School, Bill Carlson Memorial Scholarship
  

• Alice Lutzenhiser, Cedarcrest High School, Sophie Theriault Youth Voice Scholarship and Empower Youth Network Pathways to Employment Success Scholarship
  

• Elizabeth Monk, Cedarcrest High School, Sophie Theriault Youth Voice Scholarship
  

• Hailey Smith, Cedarcrest High School, Pathways to Employment Success Scholarship

YOUTH RECOGNITION Crosby Ostercamp, Cedarcrest High School (nominated by Dr. Anthony Smith)

Nominated by Riverview School District Superintendent, Dr. Anthony Smith, Crosby was honored for her work as a Student Representative on the School Board and for her ongoing commitment to advocating on behalf of mental health for youth across the state. Crosby was also honored for logging over two hundred hours of volunteer work, serving as an advisor to the Superintendent on district-wide equity work, while modeling a high-level commitment to making her community safe and healthy.

Nate Bergman | James Wilkes | Tyler Painter, Cedarcrest High School (nominated by Tara Bergman)

Bergman, Wilkes, and Painter were recognized for serving as Junior Assistant Coaches to the Cedarcrest Mountain Bike Club/Team, a program for students in grades 6-12 in the Riverview School District. Tara Bergman spoke as nominator and praised each student for being strong leaders, exhibiting an inspiring work ethic, while being willing to serve as both rider and coach, share stories and experiences, and bring fun and flare to the team.

Rohana Joshi, Cedarcrest High School (nominated by Rekha Joshi)

Nominated by her mother Rekha, Rohana’s commitment to volunteerism has taken her across the Northwest, serving as President-Elect of “EduBlock,” an organization which coordinates different workshops for youth across the region. She serves on the EYN Board and serves as Vice-President for Future Political Leaders, a nonpartisan youth organization designed to motivate young people to become politically active and aware.

VOLUNTEER (an award presented to a volunteer working directly with EYN)

Rachel Tomczek, Tolt Middle School (nominated by Jerry Blackburn)

Tomczek was recognized for her several connections to programs within EYN, including working as a Site Coordinator for Youth Success! Mentoring, facilitator for Youth Mental Health First Aid, a volunteer with Riverview Resilient, and for attending various workshops offered by EYN to the community. Nominator Jerry Blackburn stated that Tomczek does whatever is needed to be the best advocate and supporter she can be. Tomczek was further recognized as a Tolt Middle School nurse, for her resolute commitment to student health and wellness.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Jane Pattinson (nominated by Tara Bergman)

Jane was honored for her long history of volunteering and supporting the arts in the community, and for her leadership and mentorship through involvement with Cedarcrest Band Boosters. Nominator Tara Bergman praised Pattinson for retaining optimism, forward-thinking, and a generosity of spirit. Morgan Henley (nominated by Carol Van Noy)

Morgan was recognized for reinvigorating our community with live music and the promoting of events throughout the Snoqualmie Valley. Through his business, Morgan Henley Presents, he books entertainment talent for community events including Duvall Days, Carnation’s 4th of July, Snoqualmie’s Railroad Days, and many more. He serves on the Riverview Schools Committee, helped pass the recent levies for Riverview School District, and is a gifted photographer, community planner and organizer.

AJ Ely (nominated by Kim Lisk)

Nominated by Kim Lisk, AJ Ely was honored for being that local volunteer who is always there when you need him. Always ready to help, no matter the event, AJ has been involved in numerous Carnation community events, including the 4th of July festivities, Christmas in Carnation, Be Dam Ready, the Parade of Costumes and more. Lisk described AJ as a “gem in our community and makes the Valley shine.”

Tara Bergman (nominated by Shelly Campbell and Cedarcrest High School PTSA Board Members)

Tara Bergman’s commitment to communications for the CHS PTSA has been a vital and integral role in promoting all things the PTSA and Cedarcrest High School are doing. She has received awards for her monthly newsletters, and also helped design a new website for the organization which provides information in a easier, efficient, and effective manner. She is deeply involved in the Cedarcrest Mountain Bike Club/Team and Cedarcrest High School Band Boosters and is a tireless advocate for students. Lindsey Tolson (nominated by Dr. Anthony Smith)

Lindsey Tolson’s ongoing commitment to volunteerism is not only found as President of the Riverview PTSA Council, and through years of commitment to PTSA at large, but also as President of the Riverview Schools Committee. Her leadership helped rebuild the Schools Committee and was instrumental in the passing of two replacement levies for Riverview School District in February 2022. She assists with additional nonprofits to fill in gaps for parent training around mental health issues, has organized Summer Resource Fairs, and helped coordinate community roundtables to educate parents on a variety of school-related issues. Philip Brautigam (nominated by Sara Young)

A local videographer, graphic designer, and multimedia specialist, Philip Brautigam volunteered with the Riverview Youth Council (RYC) to create a recruitment video to help spread awareness of the organization. In addition, he took the time to educate RYC students on the art of video production, while also allowing them to drive the creative process. RYC students all had a part to play, either on camera or behind-the-scenes, working together to create a product they all crafted together. BUSINESS

Eastside Property Solutions (Mike Carmona) | Duvall ACE Hardware (Mat Higgins) (nominated by Josh Lowell and Jerry Sprute)

Mike Carmona and Mat Higgins were jointly recognized for decades of commitment to the Carnation and Duvall communities. Specifically, the Duvall Chamber of Commerce recognized them for being supporters of Light Up Duvall – the annual holiday decoration and lighting event which makes Main Street in Duvall look festive and inviting during the holidays. Both nominators praised the two organizations for working together and with the Chamber to, “ensure the city continues to shine through each and every holiday season.”

Jessica Self, LLC (nominated by Laura Smith)

Throughout the entire Snoqualmie Valley, Jessica Self actively supports youth, families, and communities. While she has served for years as a volunteer in the Snoqualmie Valley School District, she recently emceed the EYN Heart of the Valley Gala, and frequently travels into Carnation and Duvall and promotes the business community through her unique social media presence and modern, insightful promotional strategies. As nominator Laura Smith mentioned, “Jessica is always somewhere,” and you don’t have to be one of Jessica’s clients to benefit from her enthusiasm and belief in active promotion, outreach, and public relations work which brings all our valley communities together.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Dr. Anthony Smith (recognized by Laura Smith)

Dr. Smith was honored by EYN Executive Director, Laura Smith, with videos from former friends and colleagues shown and Laura Smith shared personal stories and anecdotes. Dr. Smith will be retiring as Superintendent of Riverview School District, after 9 years in the role, 28 years in Riverview School District, and 39 years overall in education.

Kim Lisk (recognized by Michael Tenney)

Kim Lisk was honored by EYN Board Member Michael Tenney. Currently serving as the Mayor for the City of Carnation, a number of peers and colleagues shared video tributes, with Tenney reading additional testimonials and personal reflections about time spent working with Kim through the years. A tireless volunteer, Kim has left an indelible impression on the City of Carnation and the communities of Carnation and Duvall which will never be forgotten.

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Please join us in congratulating not only these Riverview-connected honorees, but all those honored throughout the Snoqualmie Valley for their community-minded volunteerism.

To see a complete list of all Rise & Shine honorees, please view the video montage of all honorees and recipients from this year’s event, courtesy of Empower Youth Network.