Island Briefs
Published 3:00 pm Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thrift shop awarded
The Mercer Island Thrift Shop and the City of Mercer share the Eastside Human Services Alliance’s 2005 award to a business for Outstanding Contribution to Human Services. The award is given annually to a business that plays a significant role in supporting Human Services on the Eastside.
The award recognizes the successful partnership between the thrift shop and the city’s in raising funds to support the Island’s social services programs.
Chris Cassidy, administrative manager for the city’s Youth and Family Services, wrote the application. Suzanne Philen accepted the award at the alliance’s annual luncheon on June 15.
Youth and Family Services, the city’s social service department, congratulates the hundreds of volunteers over the past 20 years who have made the thrift shop an effective business, the staff for all of its hard work and the city for its support.
Jennings wins Lincoln Award
Jordan Jennings, son of John Jennings and Debra Rubens, received the Mercer Island Republican Women’s Club’s seventh annual Lincoln Award. Jennings was honored at the club’s spring luncheon Monday, June 6.
The award recognizes the efforts of high school students who actively promote a deeper understanding of our country’s democratic foundations, governmental institutions and civic responsibilities of Americans. Each applicant must answer several questions about American government. The theme of this year’s award was freedom of religion.
Any graduating senior at Mercer Island High School, regardless of political affiliation, is eligible to apply. Recipients are awarded a $1,000 Patriot Savings Bond and a book about Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president.
Jennings is a member of the MIHS jazz and wind ensemble groups, track and field and cross country teams, and is an ASB Council class representative. He also participated in former Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn’s Youth Advisory Council and the Congressional Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.
Jennings is a member of the National Honor Society. His community service activities include volunteer work with Timberlake Christian Fellowship’s Habitat Project in Mexico and the Union Gospel Mission’s Rehabilitation Housing Project. Jennings has worked for the Mercer Island Youth Soccer Club and last summer participated in a summer study abroad program in England, focusing on Shakespeare.
His hobbies include downhill skiing, reading political and social commentary, and enjoying and playing jazz music. He hill attend Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich., this fall. He was selected as one of 31 new members of the school’s honors program. He plans to pursue an interdisciplinary major in political economy with minors in English and music. He will compete in the school’s track and field program. Jennings’ career goal is government work in foreign diplomatic service.
Washington State Quarter
The state of Washington is seeking creative writing to help design the new state quarter. In 2007, the U.S. Mint will issue a new Washington state quarter as part of the 50 State Quarters Program.
The state is asking for individuals to describe what images or words should appear on the state quarter in 100 words or less.
The State Treasurer’s Office and the State Arts Commission have already received hundreds of graphic design submissions. The public is invited to submit narrative design suggestions online at www.governor.wa.gov/quarter. The deadline for submissions is July 30.
There are no prizes, and no artists or writers will be recognized individually but it is an opportunity to participate creatively in a historic undertaking, organizers said.
After review, final designs will be forwarded to the Gov. Christine Gregoire and then onto to the U.S. Mint. Mint designers will create pictorial renderings of the final submissions and send these back to the state for further review and public comment. For questions, e-mail quarter@arts.wa.gov.
Schools Foundation board members sought
The Mercer Island Schools Foundation is looking for at least five new board members to replace outgoing members this fall and to expand the board to at least 15 members. The board sets policy regarding the funding of Mercer Island School District programs through funds raised by the foundation. MISF director, Penny Yantis said the foundation is looking not only for parents, but for community members and other interested adults. For information call 275-2550.
Correction
A story on June 15 about defibrillators donated to the school district misidentified Gilbert Wong as Greg Wong. The Reporter regrets the error.
