Chasing Excellence Annual Awards Honor The Area’s Outstanding Teens And Children

Every year the city of Spokane and the Chase Youth Commission set out to honor area youths who are making a difference in their communities. Now in its ninth year, the 1996 Chase Youth Awards took place at the Opera House last Tuesday. Out of nearly 600 youths nominated, 10 were awarded a certificate, a medallion and a $100 savings bond for their contributions to the public.

To be nominated for a Chase Youth Award is an honor in itself when you understand who Jim Chase was.

The youth commission and its activities originated with Jim Chase, Spokane’s only black mayor, who served from 1982 to 1985. Chase came here from the East Coast in 1934 by way of a railroad box car. He endured many struggles in making a life here.

Chase served on the City Council for six years before being elected mayor. He was best known for his intense love for children and young people; he lobbied intensely for youth programs.

City children loved him and flocked to him, earning him the nickname “Pied Piper.” Chase was instrumental in establishing a youth department in Spokane; in 1985, the city established the youth commission in his honor.

The Chase Youth Awards are categorized according to attributes that Jim Chase held: Creativity, Community Service, Courage, Entrepreneurship, Citizenship, Environmental Concern, Personal Achievement and Leadership. The Spirit of Jim Chase award, given to a group each year, recognizes contributions made to the community that encompass all of Chase’s great qualities.

Here are this year’s winners. Congratulations to all nominees and recipients!

The Spirit of Jim Chase Group Award Salk Middle School Art Students

The students of Jan Foland’s art classes reacted to the devastating house fire last October that killed Derek, Loren, Steven and Justin Schliebe by dedicating their annual art calendar to them.

Not only does the calendar feature a drawing of the four brothers, co-drawn by students Dean Rodgers and Briana Main, it includes a message from Spokane Fire Chief Robert Williams and art work from more than 100 other students.

The students sold the calendars to help cover the boys’ parents’ expensive medical bills. They spent hours putting the calendars together and selling them. In all, they sold more than 2,000 calendars and were able to present the family with a $10,000 check.

Students learned all the safety guidelines and, by producing the calendar, saw to it that 2,000 other households and businesses knew about fire safety as well.

The effects of this project extended far beyond what was expected. The family was overwhelmed by the gesture and gave the school a picture of the boys, which is now displayed on a plaque in the school’s trophy case.

Nominator Foland writes, “Only the Lord knows the final impact, but I have been impacted by experiencing a generation of awesome young people.”

Community Service Dana Gori, Shadle Park

Over the course of three years, Dana has volunteered more than 1,300 hours of her time at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center alone. She also volunteered with the Public Land Council by distributing fliers on environmental and endangered species issues. She’s taken part in organized demonstrations and circulated petitions to make herself heard.

Her nominator, Beth Gibbons, states, “I do not know many teens willing to volunteer their time as generously as Dana does; nor do I encounter many teens who give up their summer, winter and spring vacations and days off school to work at a hospital.”

Creativity Brittany Aston Baynes, Greenacres

Although only 10 years old, Brittany has already shown an outstanding ability to write and dance.

Her poem, entitled “If I Could Give the World a Gift,” won first place at Greenacres Elementary in the PTG Reflections contest. It’s also been printed in the Black Child Development’s calendar, which reaches about 10,000 people in the United States. Brittany read her poem at the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet.

In the fourth grade, Brittany won third place out of 200 entries for an essay on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and was honored at Eastern Washington University’s Black Education Banquet.

In dance, Brittany helped her fourth grade music teacher choreograph the dance routine for the Mouse and Mozart concert.

Her work, says her mother, draws attention to how children are treated and how people can make their lives better.

Courage Renae Arnold, Ferris

As an 18-year-old at Ferris, Renae Arnold has shown that, with the right attitude, a person can overcome all obstacles.

From childhood, she has lived through every imaginable scenario, from hopping between foster homes, schools, parents and states, to dealing with nearly every form of abuse. Renae is a true survivor.

Renae never had much of a childhood. She constantly looked after her siblings while trying to keep track of an adrift mother. She’s persevered and grown into a dedicated young woman who has given her life to helping others.

She’s immersed herself into leadership activities including SADD, Ecology and French clubs, varsity wrestling manager, leadership club, officer of Future Teachers of America and more.

Her nominator, Valerie Hunziker, writes: “She is my inspiration! She has persevered and … helps others, shielding them from the pain and hardship she has had to suffer.”

Entrepreneurship Ryan Gallagher, Shadle Park

Ryan, a senior, will undoubtedly be well-off financially upon graduation. You could call him the Bill Gates of our generation.

His technological know-how has earned him a business operation even before he’s graduated. Ryan is the owner of Next Generation Publishing and Multimedia. His expertise covers graphic design, desktop publishing, video production and pre-press and electronic imaging.

He’s the technological director of Young Life Inland Northwest, founder of the Shadle Park Information Network and has evaluated and solved hardware and software problems for KXLY TV’s art department.

All this is in addition to community and school leadership positions. He’s even senior class president!

Citizenship Tonya Smith, Deer Park

Tonya, 16, has shown her concern for her community by taking action where it’s needed. Prompted by her concern over some friends, Tonya became an advocate for suicide awareness and other health issues.

Tonya started as an active member of Camp Fire’s SAIL program (Self Acceptance Is Life) and is now chair of Inland Empire Council Camp Fire Teens in Action program. She’s also on the board of directors.

Through conferences, Tonya has helped educate over 3,600 area youths on the warning signs of youth suicide and what they can do to help their friends. She’s also addressing the issues of homelessness and HIV/AIDS awareness by creating, organizing and implementing workshops and volunteering.

Environmental Concern Catharine Slack, St. George’s

Catharine singlehandedly organized the first environmental group at St. George’s School. Y.E.S.! (Youth for Ecological Sanity) has presented an ecologically centered rally for both the upper and middle schools, held several pick-up events at the school and in the community and conducted a five-day waste audit of school trash to reform waste management.

Through her dedication, Catharine orchestrated the school-wide switch from virgin paper to 100 percent recycled paper.

Personal Achievement Minda Dentler, Mead, and Tyler Byers, Sacajawea

For the first time ever, a Chase Youth Award has resulted in a tie. When you hear of the achievements of these two youths, you’ll know why.

Minda has excelled despite her physical limitations. Polio in her early childhood severely affected her legs and back. She came to America from an orphanage in Bombay, India, when she was 3. After several surgeries, Minda learned to use leg braces and arm crutches.

None of this ever held her back. She’s an excellent student, an accomplished pianist, held ASB office, is area president for DECA and director of several community service projects.

All this, and her “competent, cheerful ‘you’ll be great’ attitude” has brought her far.

Tyler, an eighth grader at Sac, was born with spina bifada and uses a wheelchair. That doesn’t stop him from doing what he wants, however.

He’s a member of Sac’s highest band and is a peer mediator. He was elected to an ASB office last year and is ASB president this year.

Also this year, he took third place in the Spokane eighth grade All City Wrestling Tournament, a tremendous accomplishment when you realize he has no use of his legs.

Tyler is an inspiration to all he has come in contact with.

Leadership Marie Fleming, University

Think of tobacco and Marie Fleming’s name should come to mind. Marie, realizing the growing use and dangers of tobacco, has become a vigilante against the industry. And, she’s being heard.

Marie first emerged as the leader for STAT (Spokane Teens Against Tobacco), a group that volunteers for tobacco control programs and teaches others about the effects of smoking.

Marie has taught more than 1,250 junior high students and 21 classes of fourth, fifth and sixth graders about the dangers of tobacco products. In addition, she’s testified before the state Liquor Control Board in favor of reducing avenues for the acquisition of tobacco, and before the Spokane County Board of Health in favor of banning smoking in restaurants.

Marie was also trained by the National Cancer Institute and was the master of ceremonies for a tobacco control youth rally in Olympia.

On top of all that, she’s a cheerleader, a member of the Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council teen advisory board and more.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: If I Could Give the World a Gift

If I could give the world a gift, I would give it happy children. Happy children grow up to be happy people. Happy people do not lie, cheat, steal, hurt or kill. Happy people do not abuse anyone or themselves with drugs or alcohol. Happy people love themselves and everyone else.

“If I Could Give the World a Gift” was written by Brittany Aston Baynes when she was in third grade. The poem was part of Brittany’s winning nomination for the Chase Youth Award for Creativity.