MPHS alumni work for scholarships, grants

MARYSVILLE — A group of Marysville Pilchuck High School alumni have formed a foundation to develop a long-term scholarship and grant program to benefit the school community.

The MP Memorial Foundation got its start when a group of alumni and community members launched a campaign to sell “Pray for Pilchuck” car window decals.

Now organized as a registered nonprofit, the group has scheduled a community meeting Tuesday to help plan its future strategy.

The group is not affiliated with the Marysville Pilchuck Recovery Fund, which has been raising money to assist families and individuals affected by the Oct. 24 shootings at the school.

Nor is the group planning to build a memorial. That effort, if it happens, would probably be led by the Recovery Fund and other entities more directly affected by the shootings, such as the Marysville School District, the Tulalip Tribes or the city of Marysville, said Danna Watson-Gibson, the organization’s president.

“Our goals and directives are going to stem from small projects and programming to have more positive impacts on the Marysville-Tulalip community,” she said.

The foundation made about $3,000-$4,000 from selling the decals and sweatshirts, Watson-Gibson said, but what that money will go toward, and how the foundation will raise more to support the programs it wants to, is still to be determined.

What the group does know is that it wants to provide college scholarships to local students, make grants for local projects, and support programs to combat bullying and educate parents about social media.

The board of the foundation plans to set up committees to tackle each of those issues, as well as future fundraising and strategies.

“We know we want to do those things,” said Emily Wicks, a volunteer with the organization. “Just how we get there is still open to discussion.”

The foundation plans to recruit volunteers at Tuesday’s meeting and from the broader Marysville-Tulalip community to lay the course for the new group.

Chris Winters: 425-374-4165; cwinters@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @Chris_At_Herald.

Foundation planning meeting

The MP Memorial Foundation is holding a community planning meeting 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, in the Big Red Barn in Jennings Park, 6915 Armar Road, Marysville. The meeting is open to the public, especially those in the Marysville and Tulalip communities. Please RSVP to mphsmemorial@gmail.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

A trash hauler from Republic Services. (Provided photo)
Growing Teamsters strike disrupts garbage pickup in Snohomish County

Republic Services said a temporary work stoppage is causing some customers in the county to experience “temporary service delays.”

Lily Lamoureux stacks Weebly Funko toys in preparation for Funko Friday at Funko Field in Everett on July 12, 2019.  Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Everett-based Funko ousts its CEO after 14 months

The company, known for its toy figures based on pop culture, named Michael Lunsford as its interim CEO.

‘Courageous’ teen dives into Silver Lake to rescue 11-year-old

Gauge Bryant, 13, brought the child to the surface. The 11-year-old is in stable but critical condition, authorities said.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mukilteo in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
On second go, Mukilteo City Council votes against sales tax hike

A veto from Mayor Joe Marine forced the council to bring the potential 0.1% sales tax increase back for another vote Monday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.