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Foundation Celebrates Education - Distinguished Service Award Announced at Annual Fundraiser
April 18, 2012
Port Angeles, Wash. - Port Angeles Education Foundation (PAEF) members and guests celebrated public education at its annual fundraising dinner held Friday, April 13 at C’est Si Bon Restaurant. The sold out event raised funds through its sponsorships, ticket sales and “Pass the Hat” for math fundraiser.
“Pass the Hat” brought in $3,358 for math education. Donations were made by long-time supporters - $1,000 was donated by Captain and Mrs. Hearst Coen, Jr. for science programs, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert (Ruth) Worley gave $5,000 to the Basic Needs Fund.
Judge Steven Charno, Foundation past-president, announced John Gallagher, Port Angeles High School science teacher, as the recipient of the Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award.
“John Gallagher is widely recognized as an outstanding educator (Washington State Science Teacher of the year, finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, KONP Teacher of the Month, regional representative for the Washington Science Teachers Association,” Charno said.
“In addition to being a classroom maestro,” described Charno, “he strives to extend student exposure to and involvement in the fields of geology and astronomy by seeking and securing grants to fund enhancement programs – that effort includes half a dozen successful applications to our School and Teacher Grant program. John also runs educational outreach programs in cooperation with this Foundation, the North Olympic Library System, Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts, Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Olympic National Park and Nature Bridge (formerly Olympic Park Institute).”
“John’s devotion to education is not limited to the sciences,” said Charno. “He deeply believes in supporting positive student effort and is involved in ensuring that virtually no student achievement or accomplishment goes unrecognized. More importantly, he’s a truly compassionate individual who cares deeply about the students with whom he works.”
Keynote speaker, former astronaut Dr. George D. “Pinky” Nelson, and currently program director of Science, Math and Technology Education at Western Washington University, talked about his own lifelong journey and exploration of science during his presentation titled Oh, The Places I've Gone, and the Things I've Learned.
“Pinky has been a leader for the past decade of science reform and was instrumental in establishing the current inquiry science program in Washington State based on the Life, Physical, Earth and Space Science standards,” noted Gallagher.
The Celebrate Education event was sponsored by the Honorable and Mrs. Steven Charno, Andy and Eleanor Geiger, Angeles Composite Technologies, Inc., David Rogers, Dr. Joe Corn and Maureen Sandison, Dr. Kara and Mark Urnes, Dr. Larry and Jacki Gordon, Dr. Lynn Geren, Dr. Mary Ann and Gene Unger, Penney Sanders-Thiemann and Francis Thiemann, Dr. Peter Erickson and Harriet Shafer, Dr. Roger and Maura Oakes, Family Medicine of Port Angeles, First Federal, Gladys Christopher Pollanz Scholarship Foundation, Green Crow Timber LLC, Hallett Advisors, Kris and Nola Grier, Laurel Dental Clinic, Leslie Spotkov, Peninsula Children’s Clinic, Port Angeles Clinic Physicians, Ray Gruver Farm Insurance, Steve Methner State Farm Insurance, The Platt Irwin Law Firm.
Major contributors to the Foundation include Mr. and Mrs. Robert Worley, Albert Haller Foundation, Benjamin N. Phillips Memorial Fund, Camaraderie Cellars, Captain and Mrs. Hearst Coen, Jr., Dr. and Mrs. Robert Craven, Drs. William and Katherine Hennessey, Dr. and Mrs. William Kindler, Dr. and Mrs. Roger Oakes, Gladys Christopher Pollanz Scholarship Foundation, Port Angeles Clinic Physicians, Port Angeles High School Classes of 1960 and 1961.
PAEF Supports Schools and Students
PAEF serves a vital role in connecting the community with local public schools through four major programs: removing individual barriers to education, supporting school and teacher grants, student enrichment sponsorships and scholarship programs.
Through the Student Needs Fund, the Foundation assists low income students. Last school year $39,413 was used to help 249 students with medical, dental and counseling services; clothing and basic personal needs; and athletic, art and music fees.
School and teacher grants totaling $12,950 were awarded this school year.
The PAEF proudly helps PAHS graduating seniors with College Fairs, academic achievement awards, and in 2011 distributed $86,400 for academic, vocational and athletic scholarships.
The PAEF sponsors student and community enrichment programs: the annual Back to School event, Kids Day at the Juan De Fuca Festival, the YMCA’s Y Fundamentals Summer School Program, PAHS AmeriCorps workers who tutor students, and the PAHS 50th Year Class Reunion Breakfast.
For additional assistance, contact:
Tina Smith-O'Hara
Communications Specialist
Port Angeles School District
360.565.3703
tsmithohara@portangelesschools.org