UW’s Daugherty inspires Mukilteo athletes at scholarship luncheon

EVERETT – June Daugherty was lost.

Adorned in striped knee-high socks, red Chuck Taylor sneakers and a Sergeant Pepper’s T-shirt, Daugherty had no idea what to do. She was a timid 6-foot-2 junior trying to figure out the lay-up drill during her first basketball practice at Westerville South High School in Columbus, Ohio.

But thanks to positive coaches and teammates, Daugherty, now the head coach of the University of Washington women’s team, has ridden a basketball dream around the world and to the summit of success.

Daugherty was the guest speaker during the 10th annual Dwayne Lane Mukilteo School District Scholar/Athlete luncheon Wednesday afternoon at the Everett Golf and County Club. She challenged all the award nominees to continue to give back to their communities and to work hard every day to reach their goals. Daugherty also encouraged those who offer invaluable support along the way.

“Never underestimate how important it is that you believe in people when they don’t.”

Winners Alex Litzinger and Laura Brade of Kamiak High School and Tom Hanrahan and Marina Son of Mariner each received a $1,000 scholarship. Other nominees included Cory Buike, Tim Reed, Kylie Lindner and Sayeh Ghassemieh of Kamiak, and Alex Elmore, Catherine Taylor, Matt Ondriezek and Cora Reeves of Mariner.

Seniors attending Kamiak and Mariner High Schools had to meet the following criteria to be considered: earn a letter in two or more sports, graduate in good standing with a 2.50 minimum cumulative grade point average, plan to enroll in a two- or four-year college, volunteer in the community and receive a letter of recommendation from a coach. The judges were Brian Frauenholtz, Vice President of Dwayne Lane Family and Auto Centers, Sheila Countryman-Bean, Public Relations representative for Dwayne Lane, Jim Peters, Director of Student Services and Athletics for the Mukilteo School District, Nancy Passovoy, a Kamiak H.S. parent, and Evie De Simone, a Mariner H.S. parent.

John Ondriezek of Mariner and Rachel Kane of Kamiak were honored as coaches of the year. Patty Harmon (Mariner) and Passovoy were chosen boosters of the year.

Hanrahan, who played football, basketball and track, is headed to Eastern Washington University. He plans to major in business and will walk on to the football team with high school teammate Jerod Grant.

“I was trying to hold it in,” Hanrahan said of his emotions during the winner announcement. “I was pretty pumped.”

Son thanked her mother, Sokhim, who immigrated to the United States from Cambodia as a 19-year-old. Son has a 3.4 GPA and will attend Seattle University with plans to run track and study arts and sciences.

“It’s an honor and I feel very blessed to be nominated.”

Kamiak’s Brade said she gained a lot of confidence and social skills from swimming and golfing. The team swim captain and owner of a 4.0 GPA, Brade will attend Pacific Lutheran University to study physical therapy.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Vancouver Giants goalie Burke Hood makes a play for the puck against the Everett Silvertips, who lost 6-2 to the Giants at Langley Events Centre on Saturday, one day after clinching a WHL playoff spot. (Rob Wilton, Giants/Special to Black Press Media).
Tips Week in Review: Everett first in WHL to clinch playoff berth

The Silvertips defeated Kamloops on Friday to secure spot, but lost to Vancouver on Saturday

The Edmonds-Woodway bench reacts to a foul call during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 10

Warriors win battle of division champs.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Perfect week no help to Gonzaga

An unbeaten week against a pair of middle- to lower-tier West Coast… Continue reading

LeBron James (23) and Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers look on as John Collins (20) of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Lakers’ LeBron James and Luka Doncic hit the ground running

LeBron James and Luka Doncic represent different generations and… Continue reading

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) smiles as head coach Nick Sirianni holds up the Lombardi trophy after they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (Timothy A. Clary / AFP / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Eagles overwhelm Chiefs to win the Super Bowl

The Philadelphia Eagles perhaps did not vanquish the Kansas… Continue reading

Coach Derek Lopez (far right) and the Lake Stevens boys' wrestling team celebrates with their championship trophy at the WIAA 4A District 1 Tournament at Jackson High School on Feb. 8, 2025.
Lake Stevens boys capture district wrestling title

The Vikings had 17 state-qualifiers; second-place Arlington led with five weight class winners

Edmonds-Woodway wrestlers react to a pin during the match against Meadowdale on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys wrestling roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Edmonds-Woodway boys wins Wesco 3A South wrestling title.

Kamiak’s Kai Burgess has her arm raised in the air after beating Arlington’s Jaymari O’Neal in the 125-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Rebuilding Kamiak girls wrestling steps forward at District Tournament

Ki Burgess and Eden Cole each won their weight class in Friday’s WIAA District 1 Girls’ 4A Tournament

Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Tulalip Heritage boys advance to district title game.

Meadowdale’s Kyairra Roussin takes the ball to the hoop during the game against Archbishop Murphy on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Kyairra Roussin’s deep buzzer-beater lifts Meadowdale over Stanwood.

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.