Published: Thursday, November 18, 2010
KSER honors three community voices
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Edmonds music educator Frank DeMiero was honored with a KSER Voice of the Community Award on Saturday.
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Sarah Weiser / The Herald
United Way campaign chairman Kim Buike, with his wife Mary Buike, was honored for spearheading the United Way campaign at the KSER Voice of the Community Awards at Everett Community College on Saturday.
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Sarah Weiser / The Herald
Tulalip Chairman Mel Sheldon was honored with a KSER Voice of the Community Award at the Jackson Center at Everett Community College on Saturday.
EVERETT — A few weeks ago, Frank DeMiero got an e-mail telling him he had been nominated for the KSER Voice of the Community Award. It wasn't until he showed up to the award banquet Saturday that DeMiero realized he had won.
A music educator living in Edmonds, DeMiero was one of three people honored last week during the celebration at Everett Community College's Jackson Center. The award, started in 2008, recognizes people who make a significant impact in the community. KSER (90.7 FM) is an independent, public radio station serving Snohomish and Island counties.
The other winners were Kim Buike, a retired U.S. Navy captain in charge of this year's United Way of Snohomish County campaign, and the Tulalip Tribes Charitable Funds, a generous supporter of community projects in Snohomish County.
“It really was a special honor,” said DeMiero, 70.
His career in music spans decades, from teaching at Mountlake Terrace High School, to starting a music program at the Edmonds Community College, to turning the music program in the Edmonds School District into one of the biggest and strongest in the state.
He officially retired in 1998 but hasn't left music.
“My wife says I modulated, which, in music, means I've changed keys,” he said.
He leads two music groups and does a little composing. He credits his teachers and his wife of 51 years, Yvonne, with helping him make a career out of his passion.
When DeMiero was growing up, music was always a part of his old country-style, Italian upbringing. One of his first childhood memories was seeing an accordion and wanting to play it.
It's hard to see public schools cut their music and arts programs, DeMiero said. “It's still my hope that we support the arts and realize the total effect that the arts have on every child,” he said.
Kim Buike, former commanding officer of Naval Station Everett, won the award for his work with United Way and other community organizations.
He was nominated by Deborah Squires, who works for United Way. In the nine years she's known Buike, she has always admired his commitment to the community, she said.
Buike serves on the board for Snohomish County Red Cross, among other things, and has made it his personal mission to raise money and awareness of people's needs.
He is not shy about speaking out, and the confident, commanding-officer voice he acquired in the Navy is perfectly suited for that.
“If you have a loud voice, you darn better use it for a meaningful, good purpose. Otherwise, it's just noise,” he said.
Buike, 56, of Mountlake Terrace, lived in different places throughout his Navy career and never really had a community until he came to Naval Station Everett. He believes it's not right to complain about something before you try to change it. He believes that seniors shouldn't live in isolation and that kids should be better prepared for school.
Buike worked for the Port of Everett after retiring from the Navy in 2003. He works part-time for an Everett-based startup company and teaches an emergency management class at a community college. He makes sure to set aside 15 to 20 hours a week for United Way and other organizations.
“A community means coming together to help each other when times are toughest,” he said. “We need to step up and do a little more this year.”
Tulalip Tribes Charitable Funds was recognized in the business category. Tulalip Tribes Chairman Mel Sheldon said he was honored to accept the award.
“I felt the honor was really more of a reflection of all the people who give back to the community,” he said. “It's an opportunity to give back to different groups out there who are trying to help out, whether that be an athletic club or a community theater.”
Read more stories of people helping their communities on her blog at www.heraldnet.com/goodnews. Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452; kyefimova@heraldnet.com.
A music educator living in Edmonds, DeMiero was one of three people honored last week during the celebration at Everett Community College's Jackson Center. The award, started in 2008, recognizes people who make a significant impact in the community. KSER (90.7 FM) is an independent, public radio station serving Snohomish and Island counties.
The other winners were Kim Buike, a retired U.S. Navy captain in charge of this year's United Way of Snohomish County campaign, and the Tulalip Tribes Charitable Funds, a generous supporter of community projects in Snohomish County.
“It really was a special honor,” said DeMiero, 70.
His career in music spans decades, from teaching at Mountlake Terrace High School, to starting a music program at the Edmonds Community College, to turning the music program in the Edmonds School District into one of the biggest and strongest in the state.
He officially retired in 1998 but hasn't left music.
“My wife says I modulated, which, in music, means I've changed keys,” he said.
He leads two music groups and does a little composing. He credits his teachers and his wife of 51 years, Yvonne, with helping him make a career out of his passion.
When DeMiero was growing up, music was always a part of his old country-style, Italian upbringing. One of his first childhood memories was seeing an accordion and wanting to play it.
It's hard to see public schools cut their music and arts programs, DeMiero said. “It's still my hope that we support the arts and realize the total effect that the arts have on every child,” he said.
Kim Buike, former commanding officer of Naval Station Everett, won the award for his work with United Way and other community organizations.
He was nominated by Deborah Squires, who works for United Way. In the nine years she's known Buike, she has always admired his commitment to the community, she said.
Buike serves on the board for Snohomish County Red Cross, among other things, and has made it his personal mission to raise money and awareness of people's needs.
He is not shy about speaking out, and the confident, commanding-officer voice he acquired in the Navy is perfectly suited for that.
“If you have a loud voice, you darn better use it for a meaningful, good purpose. Otherwise, it's just noise,” he said.
Buike, 56, of Mountlake Terrace, lived in different places throughout his Navy career and never really had a community until he came to Naval Station Everett. He believes it's not right to complain about something before you try to change it. He believes that seniors shouldn't live in isolation and that kids should be better prepared for school.
Buike worked for the Port of Everett after retiring from the Navy in 2003. He works part-time for an Everett-based startup company and teaches an emergency management class at a community college. He makes sure to set aside 15 to 20 hours a week for United Way and other organizations.
“A community means coming together to help each other when times are toughest,” he said. “We need to step up and do a little more this year.”
Tulalip Tribes Charitable Funds was recognized in the business category. Tulalip Tribes Chairman Mel Sheldon said he was honored to accept the award.
“I felt the honor was really more of a reflection of all the people who give back to the community,” he said. “It's an opportunity to give back to different groups out there who are trying to help out, whether that be an athletic club or a community theater.”
Read more stories of people helping their communities on her blog at www.heraldnet.com/goodnews. Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452; kyefimova@heraldnet.com.
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