Everett School Board named among state’s most effective

Board of Distinction honors were awarded to the Everett Public Schools Board of Directors by members of the State Board of Education earlier this month.

Board members include President Caroline Mason, Andrew Nicholls, April Berg, Traci Mitchell and Pam LeSesne.

After review by a panel of judges that includes former and current educational service district superintendents, the leaders were honored for efforts to better understand the student achievement gap. This included work to positively impact the opportunity gap and engagement with community members.

“We are honored to be receiving this recognition as it reflects the work of our entire district to support our students during a very challenging time,” Mason said. “More so than ever it is important to have strong governance practices in place and I believe the adjustments we’ve had to make due to the impacts from the coronavirus have brought additional cohesion and focus to our work.”

On Nov. 19, the school board will be honored virtually during an awards ceremony at the Washington State School Directors Association’s annual conference.

Luncheon raises $44K for local Camp Fire group

The 29th annual Camp Fire Luncheon went virtual in 2020 and raised more than $44,000 to aid in providing club and camp programs to all children ages three through high school.

Board Member Joe Marine served as the Master of Ceremonies. Elizabeth Johnson, a board of director’s member and past president, earned the organization’s Lou Denney Award for Outstanding Community Service presented to a Camp Fire volunteer.

$165K raised by Compass Health to benefit health services

The Building Communities of Hope Gala led by Compass Health raised funds to support child, youth and family behavioral health services during a virtual event held on World Mental Health Day, last month.

Compass Health surpassed its goal of $15,000, collecting $165,000 from contributions by more than 250 people in the community.

The primary beneficiaries are Compass Health’s Child and Family Outpatient Programs, Children’s Intensive Services / Wraparound with Intensive Services, Camp Outside the Box, Camp Mariposa, the Child Advocacy Program and Compass Health’s Therapeutic Foster Care Program.

“It was thrilling and gratifying to see our community come together, and to watch our team innovate to create a meaningful shared experience while keeping everyone safe through a virtual format,” said Tom Sebastian, president and CEO of Compass Health.

Film Festival raises $5K for Zonta Club grants and scholarships

Local women will be the beneficiary of funds raised during the LUNAFEST film festival held by the Zonta Club of Everett Foundation.

LUNAFEST is celebration of short films made by and for women. The Everett Foundation’s festival brought in nearly $5,000 to fund community grants and educational scholarships for local women.

Originally scheduled for in-person viewing, the proceedings were adapted to an at-home entertainment model presented last month.

The Zonta Club of Everett has worked for more than 90 years to empower women across the world through service and advocacy.