Four county girls earn highest honor in Camp Fire USA

While juggling cross country and band, Berit Anderson, a junior at Lakewood High School, continued to stay involved with Camp Fire USA for 10 years since she started in the first grade.

Anderson, along with three other students, was so devoted to Camp Fire that she won the WoHeLo Award, the highest honor a Camp Fire youth member can achieve.

WoHeLo, an acronym for work, health and love, represents four years of planning and action. It is equivalent to the Boy Scouts’ Eagle Scout.

To become winners, WoHeLo students demonstrate initiative and involvement in the community, take steps toward becoming more caring and responsive leaders, and work to become informed and have a better understanding of themselves, Camp Fire USA and their community, said Michael Deal, director of communications and fund-raising for Camp Fire’s Snohomish County Council.

The council announced the recipients May 18 at Savior’s Lutheran Church in Everett.

Anderson, of Arlington, remained active as she ran for the Lakewood High School cross country team for three years and earned the Coach’s Award for her performance. She is an American Sign Language instructor and signs for a hearing-impaired friend at cross-country meets. Anderson has also been a band member for five years and has earned the Director’s Award as well as the President’s Service Award.

The other WoHeLo Award recipients:

Maggie Ryan of Bothell, a junior at Jackson High School, has been in Camp Fire since kindergarten. Ryan is on the honor roll and is the editor of the opinion page of the Jackson High School newspaper, Stigayu. She has been dancing for the past nine years and is currently on the Turning Pointe Select Dance Team. She also won the President’s Service Award.

Julia Harding of Bothell, a junior at Lynnwood High School, has been in Camp Fire since kindergarten. She is a member of the National Honor Society, varsity tennis and has been elected as her senior class secretary. She is listed in "Who’s Who in American High School Students" and has the President’s Service Award.

Jamie Beytebiere of Mountlake Terrace, a senior at Mountlake Terrace High School, has been a part of Camp Fire since kindergarten. She is on the honor roll and has been involved with her community in coordinating area Camp Fire events. She has been a camp counselor and a varsity tennis member for her high school for four years.