Wenatchee School District Honors Businesses and Mentors at Luncheon

The Wenatchee School District hosted the second annual Partner Appreciation Luncheon at Ohme Gardens on Thursday, April 18 to recognize and honor the over 300 businesses and mentors that support career connected learning in the Wenatchee School District. 

Columbia Valley Community Health and Wenatchee Learns Connect Work-Based Partner of the Year. Receiving the award are CEO David Olson, with Misha Whitfield, Lupe Sanchez, Lisa Humphrey

“We are fulfilling a promise we made four years ago to tap the power of our whole community. Thank you for making that become a reality”, said Wenatchee Superintendent Brian Flones as he addressed the crowd. Business-education partnerships and career exploration where two of the highest ranked priorities that came out of the 2011 Wenatchee Learns community conversation.

Awards were presented to businesses and mentors by Wenatchee Learns Connect, Wenatchee High School College Mentor Program, Wenatchee School District Career & Technical Education, Wenatchee School District Special Education Transitions House, Chelan-Douglas Developmental Disabilities and 21st Century Learning Centers. Together these program support career connected learning by partnering with businesses, organizations and individuals to offer paid work experience, job shadows, career exploration events, after school programs and mentorship opportunities. 

The following business and individuals were honored for their support of career connected learning. 

Wenatchee Learns Connect:

WLC Partner of the Year - Wenatchee Valley College

WLC Work-Based Learning Partner of the Year - Columbia Valley Community Health

WSD Special Education Transitions House & Chelan-Douglas Developmental Disabilities

Outstanding Employer - Zach Williams, Stemilt

Outstanding Employer - Cheryl Toro - Lowe's Home Improvement

Outstanding Employer - Kelsey Mahoney - Red Lion Hotel Wenatchee 

Outstanding Employer - Melissa Avey - Hertz Rentals

WHS College Mentor Program

College Mentor of the Year - Maura Danforth

21st Century Learning Centers - After School Program Partners Recognition:

Camp Fire North Central Washington Council

Chelan Douglas Land Trust

North Central Regional Library

Stage Kids WA - Youth Theater

Wenatchee River Institute at Barn Beach Reserve

City of Wenatchee Government - Public Works

Team Naturaleza

U.S. Forest Service - Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Cascade Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group

Wenatchee Valley College - Adult Basic Education

Wenatchee School District Career & Technical Education

Advisory Member of the Year -Tim Smith, Tropical Frog Beverage Company