The Mercer Island Schools Foundation raised $503,523 for Island public schools at its annual Breakfast of Champions spring fundraiser Tuesday morning at Mercer Island High School.

The foundation had a record turnout of 570 people, over 100 more guests than last year, and the money raised was the most in four years.

“I think the breakfast this morning showcased the best that our schools have to offer with students being prepared for their future,” Schools Foundation executive director Penny Yantis said. “I’m extremely grateful to the community for their deep sense of commitment and shared responsibility in making our schools the best in Washington state, and I think that is evident in [the community’s] generosity.”

The event was again hosted by the recently retired KING 5 news anchor and MIHS alumna Jean Enersen, and featured the inaugural Pathfinder Award winners. The Pathfinder Award was created this year to recognize graduates of Mercer Island High School for their inspirational achievements.

The first class of Pathfinder winners were Warren Brown, president of North Seattle College and 1988 grad; Earle Canfield, founder and executive director of American-Nepali Students’ and Women’s Educational Relief and 1965 grad; Dariush Mozaffarian, Dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University and 1987 grad; and Michelle Flowers Taylor, Director of the Institute of Engineering Community and Cultural Competence at USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering and 1988 grad.

Brown and Taylor were on hand to accept their awards, while Mozaffarian accepted his award via Skype from Boston and Canfield taped his acceptance prior to leaving for a trip to Nepal.

Mercer Island senior Jarod Wong was presented with the foundation’s $1,500 scholarship, the second year the award was given. Wong plans to attend the University of Washington.

The Breakfast of Champions leads the foundation’s spring fundraising campaign, with this year’s goal set at $1.2 million. Unlike years past, the 2016 breakfast will serve as the only fundraising event held by Mercer Island schools. Yantis noted the elementary pancake breakfasts and the middle school’s Kiss the Pig fundraisers will not take place this year. She added that money raised will be divided between the Island’s six public schools, including the new Northwood Elementary.

Those unable to attend the breakfast can still make contributions online through the Mercer Island Schools Foundation website at http://www.mercerislandschoolsfoundation.com/.