Students Honored For Their Good Deeds Chase Awards Reward Youth For Leadership, Creativity

Wed., March 31, 1999

By Robin Rivers robinr@spokesman.com

FOR THE RECORD: April 1, 1999: Name misspelled: Whitney Granthan-Lund won the diversity award in the youth division for the Chase Youth Awards. Her name was misspelled in a Wednesday story. Bemiss Elementary also was misidentified.

Unpublished correction: Hutton Settlement was misidentified in the story.

Crystal Niswander knows that diversity is more than differences in race, gender or faith.

She sees it every day in the faces of profoundly disabled students who often can’t walk, speak or feed themselves - and who were once seemingly invisible at Central Valley High School.

Those special education students aren’t disabled to her, they’re differently abled. Niswander’s compassion has forged a new acceptance of the students at CV and won her recognition Tuesday night at the Chase Youth Awards.

“No one knew about them. I wanted to make people more aware,” Niswander said about her efforts to get the group more involved in mainstream school activities. “Now people know the kids by name.”

Niswander’s tender commitment to students with disabilities is one of the many accomplishments of local youth honored at the 12th annual ceremony.

“She’s really just wonderful,” said teacher Lisa Dauenhauer, who nominated the 18-year-old CV senior. “She’s done so much. But, really she’s just being a friend.”

The awards, named after former Spokane Mayor James Chase, honor the good deeds of students and were divided into two groups: the youth division (kindergarten to sixth grade) and the teen division (grades seven through 12).

Outstanding youngsters filled the Opera House stage, including 10-year-old Kristi Landwehr, a Mullan Elementary student who received the Youth Award for Leadership.

Landwehr was honored for her work organizing a blood drive for fellow Mullan student and longtime pal Brian Murphy. He was diagnosed with cancer this year and needed blood transfusions.

“Her concern and caring was unbelievably impressive,” said Shannon Little of the Inland Northwest Blood Center. Little nominated Landwehr for the award. “It touched my heart. She really shines.”

Tuesday was a night for everyone to shine.

Desalyn Swank, a fifth-grader at Indian Trail Elementary, was honored for creativity. Her inventive song and dance programs entertain elderly residents at nursing homes throughout Spokane County.

Nervous Beamis kindergartner Ian Thoen hesitantly accepted a citizenship award for always lending a hand, and then ran off the stage.

Shadle High School senior Heather Hertz, who overcame cancer while remaining committed to sports and education, received the Personal Achievement Award.

Ferris High senior Jesda Gulati was honored for entrepreneurship for starting his own computer distribution company.

And, Seattle multicultural writer Mona Lake Jones inspired students and adults alike to remain committed to helping children become the strong, ethical and respectful leaders of tomorrow.

“We are glad that you have been making wise decisions and are proud of who you are,” she said. “There is much to smile about. Our future is in capable hands.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: AWARD WINNERS Youth Division Citizenship: Ian Thoen Community Service: Katie Carli Courage: Cody Evans Creativity: Desalyn Swank Diversity: Whitney Grotham-Lund Entrepreneurship: No recipient Environmental Concern: No recipient Leadership: Kristi Landwehr Personal Achievement: Larry O’Neil Ragsdale Morris Group Award: Mission Stars

Teen Division Citizenship: Zandra Rice Community Service: Allison Lambert Courage: Megan Garcia Creativity: Emily Williams Diversity: Crystal Niswander Entrepreneurship: Jesda Gulati Environmental Concern: No recipient Leadership: Michelle Grafos Personal Achievement: Heather Hertz Group Award: Hutto Settlement Adult Award: Barb Silvey

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