2006 Award Winners

Eddie Aviles: is a sophomore at Burlington-Edison High School. Eddie is in the N.J.R.O.T.C program and takes pride is his leadership role. As a member of Key Club, he has volunteered in the 'Back to School Fair', highway clean-ups and fundraisers.

Maddy Barden: is a junior at Burlington-Edison High School. Maddy has served on two mission trips to Mexico and was able to use her Spanish speaking skills. She was a leader in helping 20 adults in her group to understand what was being said.

Juan Farias: is a sophomore at Burlington Edison High School. Juan is a wrestler and has openly recruited other Hispanic students. He is active in Key Club and is a Natural Helper. He is bilingual and is a positive role model for younger students.

Vaani Ganeson: is a sophomore at Mount Vernon High School. Vaani, a 4.0 student, plays the cello, belongs to Key Club, and swims on the varsity swim team. She is organizing a Cancer Society benefit dance performance with her Indian dance teacher, a cancer survivor.

Adilene Hernandez: is a sophomore at Mount Vernon High School. Adilene volunteers in her church as a child care assistant. She was involved in the Latina Girls Group providing crime prevention tips to the community. She plans to attend college to become a medical assistant or a nurse.

Traci Honts: is a senior at Mount Vernon High School. Traci, an AVID student is president of the Gay Straight Alliance Club. She is a member of the track team and works at the concession stands at the Skagit Playfields. She plans to become a preschool teacher.

Elizabeth Maddax: is a junior at Mount Vernon High School. Elizabeth is a Key Club member and involved in track, cross country and bowling. She translated for the Summer Literacy Academy and for the Skagit Literacy Academy with children and adults.

Armando Manzano: is a senior at Burlington Edison High School. Armando has a way of leading by example and promotes, through his actions, a positive school climate. He is a soft-spoken and quiet young man, whom fellow classmates respect. He plans to study construction trades.

Mariya Mathias (NO PHOTO): is a senior at Sedro Woolley High School. Mariya has participated in the Upper Skagit Youth Group as well as Youth Council. She has fundraised to attend conferences. She works part-time for the tribe's educational department as a youth tutor.

Seth Mendoza: is a senior at Burlington Edison High School. Seth, a football player, drill team and color guard member volunteers at a local daycare. Active in R.O.T.C, he was selected as ""Cadet of the Year". He would like to join the Navy and become a chef.

Kelsie Ovenell (NO PHOTO): is a junior at Burlington Edison High School. Kelsie has been involved in cross country, tennis and volleyball and worked at Sakuma Brothers where she used her Spanish skills. Kelsie has maintained a 4.0 GPA and plans to pursue a degree in pre med.

Annalise Pasillas: is a freshman at Mount Vernon High School. Annalise is involved in sports and went to state with her softball team. She is involved in multi-cultural activities in school and volunteers assisting elderly individuals and those in need.

Carlos Reyes: is a freshman at Mount Vernon High School. Carlos is in choir and is learning to play the keyboard. He is active in church activities and volunteers as a childcare attendant. He has easily learned English as a second language and is very talented.

Michael Reyna (NO PHOTO): is a senior at Burlington Edison High School. Michael is a great example for younger students, who stumble early in their high school years, but get it together as they mature. Michael is an excellent athlete, is a real leader off the field and plans to study construction trades.

Ana Rivera: is a junior at Burlington Edison High School. Ana is always positive and has helped clean up a local park and a church that was in disrepair. She meets weekly at Westview Elementary School to discuss issues that face young Latinas.

Brianda Tzintzun: is a junior at Burlington Edison High School. Brianda is a leader in a multicultural group at the high school. She works as a tutor-translator for ESL students and is a member of the District's Cultural Leadership Team. She plans to be an elementary school teacher.

Jeanette Valdez: is a senior at Mount Vernon High School. Jeanette, an AVID student, is involved in many activities in school and community. She is a member of the Student Leadership Program and has volunteered her time with the Washington State Migrant Council.