The
Scholarships
and Awards Committee
Jackie Chalmers, Chair
509 - 926-5270 or 499-7602
Awards
come in
many forms.
Beth Cocchiarella was celebrating her 5th anniversary of
being cancer free!
Because her daughter had enjoyed her years on the team when she was at
CV,
Beth chose to help this group with an award of $1250.00, celebrating her
five years of life.
The Foundation was honored to facilitate the presentation
with the annual Cancer Awareness Month.
The Rasmussen Gridiron Awards
are a product of long-time
educator, coach, Bear supporter and CVAF Board
Member, Anton Rasmussen.
He had been
personally funding these awards for years. The CVAF is proud to be
able to facilitate these $500 awards.
Each year after the season the Central Valley football coaching staff
selects
outstanding student
athletes to receive the checks to be used for the student's education.
2003
At the Football Awards event at the Doubletree
Hotel, $500 went to Brian Roberts, shown here with his Dad.
Anton Rasmussen handed out the checks, with the other $500 award going to
Derek Nesbitt, shown here with his family.
It
was the highlight of the evening as Coach Giampietri had high words of praise
for his student athletes.
2004
Each year Varsity Head Coach Rick Giampietri stages The Football Awards
Reception. The Mirabeau Park Hotel donates their beautiful
banquet room for the event.
It is a wonderful evening for the kids
and their parents. They start with a hi-light film that brings back
the special on-field moments of the season.
Then each of the
assistant coaches presents the awards for his group of players.
This year is very exciting as the JV Team went undefeated.
JV Coach
Head Gary Rasmussen gave an especially nice presentation to his team.
Pictured here are the Graduating Senior award
winners Tommy Kadoya, and Kyle Renz with Anton Rasmussen making the
presentation.
2005
This fun picture shows Derek Nelson and Chase Schmidt along with
their families, shortly after receiving their checks and plaques.
The Rasmussen awards, funded by Anton Rasmussen (pictured in the center
back row) are one of the high-lights
of the annual football awards
event held at the Mirabeau Park Hotel ballroom.
This is a moment
that the young men will remember the rest of their lives.
2006
Shon Davis is
the winner of the Rasmussen Gridiron Award.
The Central Valley football coaching staff
selects an
outstanding student athlete to receive the check for $500.
Presented by long-time
educator, coach, Bear supporter and CVAF Board
Member, Anton Rasmussen
2007
Anton Rasmussen has been
personally funding these awards for years. The CVAF is proud to be
able to facilitate these $500 awards.
This year the Central Valley football coaching staff
selects Tyler Staples as their
outstanding student athlete to receive the check to help with the student's
education expenses.
2008
The winner of the $500.00 Rasmussen Gridiron Award is Justin
Walker, an outstanding student
athlete.
He was chosen
to receive the award by the Central Valley football coaching staff.
He
is shown with his parents Joseph and Amy Walker along with Mr. Anton
Rasmussen.
Ras has been personally gifting these outstanding young men for many
years.
The presentation was made at the Maribeau Park Hotel December 8, 2008.
The
Wally
Stanley Spirit Award
As 2003 drew to a close and people were considering gifts to charities for
tax purposes, the CVAF received a check for $500.
While the
particulars had not been decided, the anonymous
donor said, " I would rather keep my donation close to home where I know it
will do some good. "
With that initial installment the CV Activities Foundation created the Wally Stanley Spirit Award. Here
is the text of Award Certificate.
While out jogging with his wife one evening, he was struck from
behind by a car. The injuries
were life-threatening and left him paraplegic.
After many surgeries,
weeks in the hospital, months in recovery and rehabilitation, he was
limited to a wheelchair.
With the support of family, friends CV staff and many others,
Wally, through difficulty and disappointment, but with determination,
worked diligently to overcome his loss.
He set goals to overcome his new physical limits.
In time, he prevailed.
He
rejoined the Ad office staff of the CVSD and retired as
Superintendent of Central Valley School District in 2003.
He has been an inspiration to thousands of students, parents and co-workers
with his positive attitude.
He
traveled throughout the district and the state, remaining involved and
interested, encouraging others with his words and his smile.
Always respectful, he is an outstanding example of true spirit.
The Foundation will award a check to a Central Valley School District graduating senior who demonstrates:
1.
A respectful demeanor to others
2. Has overcome hardship or disappointment
3. Is an inspiration to others
4. Is goal oriented; sets goals and demonstrates achievement of goals.
The award will be made at the Senior Breakfast. There will be no restrictions regarding the
use of the money.
Wally Stanley
On June 10th, 2005 at the University High School 'Senior
Breakfast,' CVAF President Dave Graham presented
the Wally Stanley Spirit
Award to graduating senior DANNY MANNERS.
The award was in the amount of $400 and was given
without restriction. The whole Senior Class rose to their feet
with
great applause when Danny's name was announced. It is obvious that
he was a perfect choice
for the award and fit the criteria despite his
profound disability. The Foundation feels very privileged to present him
with this award.
We are honored to have known Danny and to have given him a bit of
happiness in his last days.
On June 10th, 2005 at Central Valley High Schools 'Senior
Breakfast,' Past School Board President Jan Wesche
presented the Wally Stanley Spirit Award to NATHAN FOSTER.
Nathan suffered with acute myeloid leukemia throughout high
school.
His cancer treatments included Chemotherapy and a bone marrow
transplant.
The Foundation is honored to give this award and check to him.
At the 2006 CV Senior Breakfast Wally
Stanley
made the presentation to Landon DeFelice.
Landon will be attending the University of Montana.
Our 2007 selection to receive the $500.00 Wally Stanley
Spirit Award is
Krystle Horton
Making the presentation at the Senior Breakfast is the
CV Activities Foundation
Vice President, John Seefried
CV Team player advocates athletics
She credits coaches, team for her success
By Treva Lind
Correspondent for the Spokesman Review
Picture by Holly Pickett of the Spokesman
Review
Krystle
Horton goes the distance as a top wheelchair athlete.
This
For someone who had to be persuaded by
coaches to try longer distances, those races are now her favorites.
Horton was born 31/2 months premature in 1989
with infantile idiopathic scoliosis. She
has restrictive lung disease and asthma.
Although she uses a wheelchair in competition, Horton often chooses
to walk around school.
“For track, I’m better at long
.distances and cross country,” says Horton, who began wheelchair
competition only four years ago when encouraged by a coach of Team St. Luke’s. “I
still do some sprints, and I throw mainly discus.”
Horton credits her CV coaches and
teammates for making her feel comfortable from the start.
“I was made to feel part of the
team - a lot. My coaches have
been the most supportive. There
are no special exceptions. They
push you and make you feel like you shouldn’t be treated differently.”
Horton’s condition has required three
surgeries, including one spinal fusion procedure.
Since starting wheelchair competition, Horton
has played in Hoopfest for Team St. Luke’s for the past three years and
will again later this month. Horton also has competed in Bloomsday three
times, including a personal best of 1:12:06 this year.
After attending
She turned out for CV track the
spring of her sophomore year as the only wheelchair athlete.
In 2006, she finished second in the state
cross country meet wheelchair division.
At the State 4A track meet in
“I was really nervous about doing it. I knew I
could, but it’s long. My first
mile was 10 minutes plus. Once I
did it it went well. It was
getting used to doing it,” Horton says.
Her athletic
feats also have allowed Horton to travel.
Selected for Team
Last fall, Horton spoke to the board of the Washington Interscholastic
Activities Association/asking it to award wheelchair athletes points in
track.
According to Horton, wheelchair athletes can earn team
points only at state.
“Points for the whole season would be nice to help the team,” she
said. “Now it’s at the discretion of the meet director. The argument is
that not every school has wheelchair athletes, but they could get more
people into the sport.”
It could help with recruiting, she added.
Starting this fall, Horton plans to spend a year taking
Long term, Horton hopes to pursue a career in graphic
design, drawing or wildlife rehabilitation.
---------
THE
2008 AWARD to Geoff Davis
At the 2008 CV
Graduating Seniors Breakfast, the presentation of the Wally Stanley Spirit
Award
Good Morning!
I would like to congratulate all you seniors for reaching this milestone
in your lives.
Now let me tell you a little bit about the Wally Stanley Spirit Award and
about our recipient for 2008. In 1984, Wally Stanley was a healthy
athletic administrative staff member of the Central Valley School
District.
1. A
graduating senior
2. Has
overcome hardship or disappointment
3. Has
a respectful demeanor toward others
4. Is
an inspiration to others
5. Is
goal oriented; sets goals and demonstrates achievement of those goals.
Geoff has overcome difficulties and disappointments in his life but is a
very productive
student at Central Valley High School.
He is a 3-year varsity baseball player, playing 3rd base.
He will be attending a 4-year university to play baseball next
year.
Carol Mack, Geoff’s guardian, has written the following about
Geoff.
Geoff,
Your life has not been easy, but you make it look like a can of
corn.
You have endured so much but have so many RBI’s.
You have been in many pickles, but have ended up safe.
Your future is so bright with those ducks on the pond.
You have great potential; you could knock the cover off the ball.
Please join me in congratulating Geoff Davis as the 2008 Wally Stanley
Spirit Award Recipient.
In 2009 our congratulations go to
Sarah Wood
Please join me in congratulating Sarah Wood for being chosen the 2009 recipient of the Wally Stanley Spirit Award.
Sarah
has overcome many difficulties in her personal and school life.
She has had significant health problems that have plagued her through
out high school causing her to struggle with her education, along with a
father that has suffered significantly with diabetes.
Sarah
has always faced her difficulties with perseverance and determination.
She
has worked extremely hard to make up all the classes she missed and to
graduate with her class of 2009. She completed all of this work with a
cheerful demeanor, is always respectful of others and respected by other
students and faculty as well.
When
I asked her mom to tell me a little about Sarah, she said the
Sarah’s
family most admires her ability to overcome so many obstacles to get her
where she is today, an amazing young woman who is so upbeat and positive and
loves life.
Her
strong faith and love of music have played a strong role in her ability to
overcome adversity. Despite her own adversities she has been a role model
and a leader for the underclassmen in marching band as well as her church
youth group.
We
wish for her to continue to succeed, and strive to always go above and
beyond with that wonderful, sweet smile on her face.
---
The Kristian
Burkland,
Julie Butner Courage Award
In 2004 there were two tragedies that took dear ones from us. Those close to them created
a $500
award as a
way to annually remember and revisit their memories.
Friends, family and many Bear supporters continue to
fund this important memorial. Here
is the text from the face of that award.
Kristian
Storm Burkland was born on August 24, 1978.
He graduated from Central Valley High School in 1996 and loved
being a CV Bear football player.
Kristian attended Washington State University and graduated with
honors with a degree in Biology. After graduating from WSU he was accepted
into the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University.
He was in his fourth year of Medical School when he was killed in a
tragic accident when his car struck a deer on I-90 near Liberty Lake on
July 9,2004.
Kristian was loved by all who knew him and will always be
remembered by the Spokane Valley community. We, his family, are
honored to be a part of this scholarship and are so grateful for all the
love and support this community has shown to our family in Kristian's
memory.
Julie Butner Her love and support for Central Valley High School
began in the early 1980's when her son Mark, the first of four children
who graduated from CVHS, attended school. Julie's two daughters,
Angela and Jennifer graduated in 1987 and 1989.
Ryan, her youngest graduated in 1996 with Kristian Burkland.
Julie's highest priority was her family and her love for them was
unconditional.
She supported them in everything they did.
As her children grew they attended McDonald Elementary, Evergreen
Junior High and Central Valley High School.
Julie contributed countless hours and gave the supreme effort to
ensure her family was safe, secure and happy.
Mark and Ryan both played on Central Valley's, GSL championship football
teams as seniors, and they now coach football there.
During the past 20 years, Julie seldom missed athletic events a
CVHS.
She was the ultimate fan.
Julie was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 1999 and lost her
courageous battle on September 12, 2004.
Because of the relationship between Kristian Burkland, Julie Butner
and the Central Valley Football
program the award will go to a senior football player.
The coaching staff along with the players will
The 2004 Inaugural presentation went to
Tommy Kadoya
Pictured for the presentation are L to R,
Misty Mulligan (Kristian's sister),
Walter and Julie Balek (Kristian's parents)
Tommy Kadoya (Award Winner)
Beth Burkland (Kristian's sister)
Ryan, John and Mark Butner (Julie's son's and husband)
_____________________
This is Garrett McCoy, the 2005 choice for the
The Kristian
Burkland and Julie Butner Courage Award
Pictured
along with Garrett
are
John and Mark Butner (Julie's son and husband)
Julie and Walter Balek (Kristian's parents)
_________________________________
The 2006 recipient of the Burkland Butner Award is
Shon Davis
Pictured L to R are Mark Butner, Shon's Dad, Walter
and Julie Balek, Shon, John Butner and Ryan Butner
The 2007 recipient of The
Burkland/Butner Courage Award is
Tyler Staples
In this picture (L to R) is Mark Butner, John Butner, Walt and Julie Balek,
Heidi Simmet, Tyler Simmit Rick Simmet, and Ryan Butner.
This $500.00 award was given December 8, 2008 at the Maribeau Park
Hotel.
Many Bear supporters continue to fund this important memorial.
The Senior
All-Nighter
Starting in
the spring of 2003,
and continuing since, an
anonymous donor has presented to graduating seniors, who could not
afford to go to their Senior All-Nighter, scholarship money.
It cost $75 per person to attend. Our
donor wrote a tax-deductible check to the CVAF for scholarships for the needy
kids. Bobbie Larsen is CV's
Business Administrator.
She knows who needed the help and she is able to disperse those funds for the kids to enjoy their graduation event.
By design, neither the donor nor the recipients know of the other.