SAMMI nominees showcase Sammamish’s spirit
March 2, 2010
By Christopher Huber
Students at Renaissance School of Art and Reasoning are busy creating fused-glass faces for nearly 40 awards to be presented at the ninth-annual SAMMI Awards.
The 2010 SAMMI (Sammamish Acknowledges Magnificent Moments of Inspiration) Awards begins at 7 p.m., March 13 at Mary, Queen of Peace Church. Festivities will include refreshments, nominee displays, raffle baskets and local nonprofit displays. The awards ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. This year’s emcee will be Chris Cashman.
This year, organizers and judges whittled approximately 60 nominees down to the 38 finalists for nine awards categories, said executive director Cary Young.
Spirit of Sammamish nominees
The Spirit of Sammamish award is the highest honor of the SAMMI Awards. It goes to the person who best embodies commitment to the community, through selfless giving and inspiring others to contribute to the community’s well-being, according to the event Web site.
Nominee Steve VanWambeck is a longtime member of the Sammamish Citizen Corps, Young said. He played an integral part in developing an emergency response plan for the city of Sammamish, helping to outfit it with a mobile communications vehicle, as well as its own radio frequency.
VanWambeck also serves as a coordinator for the local amateur radio group, Young said. In addition, he is a service support volunteer for Eastside Fire & Rescue. He volunteers at various city functions throughout the year, as well.
“It’s certainly an honor. It’s actually kind of surprising,” he said. “It’s great to be recognized. I appreciate all the folks who thought to nominate me.”
Caroline Brown jumped right into leadership roles around Sammamish when she moved here in 2006. She currently serves as PTA co-president at Skyline High School and is the marketing director for Generation Joy, a nonprofit based at Beaver Lake Middle School.
Brown played an integral part in developing the annual Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Awareness week of programs at Beaver Lake Middle School and continues to work for education reform, Young said.
Brown is also an art docent at Echo Glen and a member of the National Charity League, which runs the reception area at the SAMMI Awards event.
“It is such an honor because I am such a newbie to this community,” she said. “This is a place where people naturally smile and enjoy where they live.”
Angela Kennedy is currently the president of Eastside Baby Corner, an organization that provides children’s clothing and items to local families in need. Her efforts as a volunteer there include collecting and fixing car seats and children’s toys.
Kennedy also is an emergency medical technician, is involved with the Cub Scouts and coaches a youth robotics team, Young said.
Kennedy said she was surprised by the nomination, and highlighted the fact that numerous other Sammamish residents do just as much or more than she does.
“It is really nice to be recognized. It’s nice to know that somebody noticed,” she said.
The other nominees include teachers, students and residents who continually go above and beyond to volunteer, advise others, or give a little extra time to help.
Finalists in the Arts category are Barbara Jirsa, Lynn Roberson, Adam Gross and Karen Abel.
Business finalists include Gail Stacy Michelman, Jana Williams, Kelly Jensen and Scott Moore.
Courage finalists are Kirstin and Brendon Lynch.
Learning Promotion finalists are Caroline Friesen, Leslie Spero, David McGibney, Liz Sirjani and Mike Martucci.
Teen Spirit award finalists are Sarah Pancottine, Jamie Eide, Emily Baer, Emily Dickson, Danielle Dales and Lindsay Mannion.
Trevor Price award finalists are Megan Nazarino, Sonya Ahuja and Chirag Vedullapalli.
Unsung Hero finalists include Jon Bromberg, Janell Faletto, Dick Gram, Edie and Dave Herb and the Secret Scholarship Fund (Alec Baer, Arend Broekmate, Billy Dimlow and Brooks Meadowcroft).
Youth Advocate finalists are Athena Angelis, Karen Skoog, Kathi Eide, Corinne Immel, Curtis Madden.
Longtime Sammamish resident, volunteer and high school sports announcer Marty Budzuis will be presented with the Founders Award, Young said.
Visit www.sammiawards.org for more information.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.
Other Stories of Interest: SAMMI awards
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