Youth panel honors adults

If there were a little more spring in the steps and sway in the hips of the 270 people who showed up Friday for the Chase Youth Commission’s Breakfast of Champions, it wasn’t because of their shoes – it was the KuUmba Drummers.

The West African drumming group, made up of five young musicians from the area, woke up the crowd with its energetic rhythms and life-affirming beat.

“I’ve had them together for eight years,” said David Casteal, band director and sixth-grade teacher at Cooper Elementary School. “It’s just great to be part of the celebration here today.”

The ceremony to recognize outstanding volunteers, held at the DoubleTree Hotel Spokane, was the second time the youth commission turned the event into a fundraiser.

“Last year we raised $20,000,” said Joanne Benham, Spokane regional youth department director. “The money goes to support youth commission projects, the teen advisory board, anything we are involved in.”

The breakfast featured a live auction, and participants bid on Red Wagon gift baskets.

“It is a little unusual to do it with a live auctioneer in the morning,” Benham said, “but we wanted to make sure and keep everyone awake.”

That alone raised almost $3,000 from items such as Gonzaga basketball tickets, a camping weekend, a night on the town and other donated goods and services.

Former Spokane television news anchor Richard Brown and youth commission Chairwoman Rachel Anderson emceed the breakfast.

“This year the commission chose to focus on six areas of the community,” Anderson said. “It’s a little different, but we all found people, brought their names to the table and then we voted. Last year, the Chase Youth Foundation board chose the winners.”

The morning also featured testimonials by three commission alumni. Among them was Elizabeth Williamson, who served on the commission for four years.

“I graduated from Rogers and went on to the University of Washington, and it was hard and I was challenged,” she said. “But I had learned how to speak up in front of a crowd, so I wasn’t afraid to get up in front of my class and articulate my views.”

Erica Ames, the current vice chairwoman of the commission, said she lost her right arm in a tractor accident when she was just 5.

“I made a documentary about what it’s like living without your right arm, how to tie your shoes, things like that, and in the fifth grade I got the Chase Courage Award,” Ames said. “It still inspires me to do the best I can do today. The youth commission is definitely helping me prepare for the world I’m being thrust into.”

City Council member Nancy McLaughlin said she was surprised when she received her award. “You do all this work, but you never think you’ll get an award for it,” she said. “I come from an abusive home, and I think all kids deserve to experience the wholeness of a safe environment. Children want to feel valued, they want to feel like you think they have something to give – and they give so much back at the same time.”

Anderson, who at times was emotional during presentations and standing ovations, said afterward, “I’m just so grateful that we got to talk about these amazing adults who are so relentless about making sure youth are part of the community.”