Green thumbs from Monroe make a difference during COVID-19

Jackson High School junior is a delegate

Gursimar “Gigi” Tonk, a junior at Henry M. Jackson High School, will be a delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders on Nov. 21 and 22.

The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The purpose is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country interested in these careers, to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.

Gursimar’s nomination was signed by Dr. Mario Capecchi, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and the Science Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, to represent Jackson High School based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.

During the two-day Congress, Gursimar will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research; be given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school; witness stories told by patients who are living medical miracles; be inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies; and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology.

The National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists was founded on the belief that we must identify prospective medical talent at the earliest possible age and help these students acquire the necessary experience and skills to take them to the doorstep of this vital career.

Everett Elks pitch in to fight COVID

The Everett Elks Lodge 479 contributed to slowing down the spread of COVID-19 in the community by purchasing 1,283 reusable cloth face masks, 800 bottles of hand sanitizer and 300 bars of soap to distribute locally.

About half of the items went to the Women and Children’s Shelter with the rest being delivered elsewhere in Everett.

Port of Everett earns international honor

The Riverside Business Park property owned by the Port of Everett received praise in the form of an Excellence in Economic Development (Gold) Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in the category of Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse.

The IEDC acknowledges winners that represent the best of economic development, ingenuity, integrity and leadership.

Honored last month during a virtual award ceremony, this is the second award the project has earned in recent months. The same project earned the 2020 Outstanding Job Creator Award from the Washington Public Ports Association in July.

Monroe Garden Club completes project for Senior Center

Seven large concrete planters at the entrance of the Monroe Community Senior Center have life sprouting from them again courtesy of the Monroe Garden Club.

The pandemic halted meetings, but it didn’t stop 13 club members from planning a project to fill the formerly empty planters. Volunteers donated the money, plants and labor, replacing soil and planting perennials that should bloom for years to come.

“The garden club members worked hard and did a great job,” said Jacob McGee, director of the Monroe Community Senior Center. “We really appreciate them!”

Know someone who deserves recognition? Call 425-339-3432 or email newstips@heraldnet.com