Supporting Mercer Island student success at fundraising breakfast

Published 4:30 pm Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Uplifting music and the voices of community connectivity filled the air from beginning to end at the Mercer Island Schools Foundation’s Breakfast of Champions fundraiser on April 29 at Mercer Island High School (MIHS).

The 22nd annual event was focused on supporting student success and featured MIHS student hosts Ava Zhang and Julius Perez, live performances by the MIHS jazz combo and Islander Middle School “Frozen Jr.” cast members, scholarship and award presentations and more.

“It’s a great day to be an Islander. This morning, we’re surrounded by friends, neighbors, our students, most importantly. We’re surrounded by each other and those of you from across the region,” Mercer Island School District (MISD) Superintendent Dr. Fred Rundle told the crowd, adding that the event moniker is fitting because Islanders are champions of their students, schools, district and community.

Although the district’s $165 million bond measure wasn’t passing in the April 22 special election at press time (there was 56.60% approval with 60% needed), Rundle asked bond supporters to stand and receive recognition.

Amid the thunderous applause, Rundle said: “Thank you for your tenacity, your tirelessness, your dedication, your belief in our students and schools. We are truly deeply grateful.”

Foundation Executive Director Tammy Shoop told the Reporter that they had raised close to $1 million of this year’s $1.2 million fundraising goal at press time. Shoop told the crowd that with a projected $3 million district shortfall heading into the next school year, support is crucial.

“I have seen first hand what a Mercer Island education can do, and I want every student — just like mine — to get the incredible opportunities that they had when they went through here,” said Shoop, noting that funding support lights up the district classrooms with the students’ exposure to drones, robotics, ceramics, art, creative writing and publishing, media technology and more.

Later in the event, speaker Jessica Abramson Lott — who had one child graduate from the district and currently has five children attending district schools — said that it’s critical to raise that $1.2 million now with the deficit looming.

“On Mercer Island, we aim high, we expect the best, and we want to offer the most unique electives, advanced classes, trailblazing technology, robust arts and music programs and essential mental health and academic support,” she said.

On the honors front, MIHS senior Kyle Gerstel received the foundation’s Penny Yantis scholarship, which was presented by MIHS drama director and teacher Daniela Melgar and West Mercer Elementary instructor David Baxter. Gerstel couldn’t attend the event since he was flying back from New York City after participating in a national Shakespeare competition (he was a top-10 finalist and won a third-place people’s choice award).

Baxter described Gerstel as creative, clever, gutsy, driven and unstoppable.

“I’ve seen Kyle grow so much as an actor, a director and most importantly as a community leader. The thing that has impressed me is his drive to create new opportunities for other people,” said Baxter, adding that Gerstel works with Penguin Productions, a youth-centered drama program in Seattle.

Added Melgar: “He’s the only student I’ve ever trusted to co-direct with me — not once, but twice — and his dedication inspires everyone around him.”

Melgar said that Gerstel has played a lead role in every musical during his four years at MIHS. He brings humility, insight and heart into the directing and performing realms.

In a video, Gerstel noted that he’s eternally grateful for Melgar’s guidance and the support of the MIHS drama program. He added that he’s grown as an artist, leader and person through his involvement in the program.

In an emotional portion of the event, MIHS alumni Amelia Winslow and Wendy Dubrow spoke about their former classmate Katie-Jay Scott Stauring, who is the school district’s 2025 Pathfinder Award recipient.

Scott Stauring, who passed away in a car accident in November 2022, co-founded iACT, an organization that supports people living in refugee camps from war-torn Chad to Armenia. According to a district story, she readily traveled to help and connect with individuals while problem-solving how to better their heartbreaking living situations.

Dubrow shared a message from Scott Stauring’s mother about her daughter: “She was always in motion, always laughing, always caring about everyone around her. A peacemaker in her friend groups, a challenger of wrongs, a strategist in soccer and a force to be reckoned with in the lives she touched.”

For more information, visit https://mercerislandschoolsfoundation.com/.