Volunteers of the Year

During the April 18, 2023 school board meeting, Board President Derek Sarley honored volunteers in celebration of Volunteer Appreciation Month. The theme for 2023 is Volunteering Weaves Us Together. Each April the district presents Art Regier Outstanding Volunteer Awards to volunteers who have demonstrated exceptional service or contributions to the children of Walla Walla Public Schools. This prestigious award was instituted in 1991 as a memorial to “Grandpa Art” Regier. Regier was a retiree who devoted years of service to elementary schools in Walla Walla and epitomized the spirit of volunteerism in education. His tireless dedication and concern for the students he served are the inspiration for this award.

Tuesday night five outstanding volunteers were added to the long list of dedicated community members who have helped shape the minds and hearts of generations of Walla Walla youth, noted by Mr. Sarley below in his speech from last night.

Our first Volunteer of the Year recipient for 2023 is Gricelda Justice. Gricelda has volunteered hundreds of hours with the Wa-Hi Softball team and JROTC program since 2014. She has taken time off work to travel with JROTC chaperoning cadets at rifle matches and drill competitions within Utah, Oregon, Washington, Ohio, and Arizona. Gricelda spends so much time with JROTC and the softball team, she is affectionately known as “Mama Justice.” She is also a ranking member of the Wa-Hi JROTC Boosters Club. The Boosters and its members host the JROTC annual dinner coordinating with the local community on behalf of the program. During this year’s booster’s dinner, Gricelda donated homemade desserts, took charge of setting up all the tables with decorations, and was instrumental in the fundraising of over $10,000! Nominator Sgt. Mark Mebes says Gricelda is an incredible asset to Wa-Hi and is a reflection of the JROTC mission, “To motivate young people to be better citizens.”

Next, we pay tribute to Katharine Curles. Katharine is a school counselor at Sharpstein Elementary. However tonight, we recognize her volunteer support to the girls and boys swim & dive program. Her efforts helped both squads win their respective District Championships. Katharine is well-known in the swim community for her generosity. She provides small group and one-on-one expert technique instruction, including video analysis, to the athletes. During the girls’ season, she provided invaluable counseling services for the girls who were grieving the loss of their dear friend. Katharine provides wise words of encouragement and motivation for the athletes at practice and meets. Coach Rose says Katharine’s presence at practice allows the other coaches to work with smaller groups which benefits everyone.

Now we would like to honor Track and Field volunteers Marianne Smith and Christine Lyons. Coach Eric Hisaw says words cannot express how important and vital Marianne and Christine are to the Blue Devil Track & Field program. He says there is a direct correlation to how well the Wa-Hi boys and girls have improved and competed because of what they do, how they coach, and their positive impact on helping develop amazing student-athletes! Hisaw says Marianne and Christine serve as role models to the student-athletes. He says they are well-respected adults, terrific mom’s and wives who set a great example for the team. He says the students are fortunate to be around them every day, to not only get challenged by them, but supported and celebrated. He also appreciates their positive and constructive feedback. Eric says Marianne and Christine know how and when to challenge a kid, respectfully and responsibly. They truly care for and love our kids, and when they explain why something needs to be done, or changed, and how it needs to be done…it happens because our kids respect them. Eric says Marianne and Christne epitomize what the Blue Devil Track and Field program is all about. He says the student-athletes continue to not only succeed on the track, but they become better people in real life. Eric says there is no way Wa-Hi would have won the last three Mid-Columbia Conference Championships and two State Titles without them.

Our last Volunteer of the Year to honor tonight is retired educator Paula Nichols. Paula volunteers one to two times per week at Berney elementary, where her daughter Michelle Carpenter is the principal. Paula comes in during the morning hours to work individually with students. She often pitches in to help with class projects and regularly spoils staff with delicious snacks. Paula spent the first six weeks of the school year helping in Kindergarten each day through the lunch hour. She rallied many other retired teachers and retired friends to also volunteer. She helps sort books for AAUW, attends board meetings, and is active in being of assistance and creating community connections with our Communities in Schools advocate. Berney Secretary Lisa Davis says to most she is known simply as Nana. She is always ready to lend a hand both in and out of the classroom. She can be found reading to children, sewing projects for staff, helping teachers with laminating, making food for our staff, or doing anything that just needs doing. A former teacher herself, she knows the importance of volunteering and does it with a cheerful heart and a big smile. Congratulations, Nana! Kindergarten teacher April Brown says Nana is literally our school Grandma! She feeds our souls with food, completes projects for our classrooms, teaches small groups or even the whole class to allow us to connect with a student who may just need a little one-on-one time with their teacher. There is nothing this woman cannot do! Jacqueline Fisbeck says the kids love working with her as much as I do! She is consistent, caring, and passionate! And Nancy Harwood says Nana always has a cheerful smile, and a warm, friendly voice while talking with kids or adults. Nana jumps right in with enthusiasm! Kids and adults alike are excited and appreciative when Nana is at Berney!

In closing as we celebrate National Volunteer Month, it’s important to honor and recognize all of the volunteers in our schools who support classroom learning, chaperone events, assist with coaching and serve as the heart and soul of so many district programs and activities. Their efforts are appreciated.

Photo L-R: School Board Vice President Kathy Mulkerin, Paula Nichols, Gricelda Justice, Katharine Curles, Christine Lyons, Marianne Smith and School Board President Derek Sarley.