Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

12/12/07

NEWS RELEASE
Ryan and DeDe Van Quill Receive Auburn School Board of Directors'
Gold Star Volunteer Award

The Auburn School District Board of Directors presented the Gold Star Volunteer Award to Ryan and DeDe Van Quill, in recognition of their volunteer support to Auburn School District, on Monday, December 10, at 7 p.m. in the board room at the James P. Fugate Administration Building.

Ryan and DeDe Van Quill have actively supported the Auburn School District since moving to Auburn 10 years ago. “DeDe has always volunteered at the school,” remarks Ryan, “ever since our first child entered kindergarten at Lake View.” DeDe is in her seventh year of service with the Lake View Elementary PTA and in her first year with Rainier Middle School’s PTA. “I am Rainier’s legislative rep for the state PTA,” says DeDe. At Lake View she has been the PTA chair a number of years. She also serves on the district math steering committee as one of two parent representatives.

Outside of DeDe’s active role in the PTAs and district committee, both DeDe and Ryan are well-known among the staff at Lake View. “Teachers know we will always help out…there’s always a need for help at an assembly or after-school program,” says Ryan. Whether volunteering at the school walk-a-thon or in a teacher’s classroom, Ryan and DeDe volunteer with purpose. “I really love helping in the classrooms and having all the kids know me and come to me if they need something,” smiles DeDe.

When Ryan first started volunteering at Lake View, he was not just the minority but probably the only dad volunteering his time. “Now more dads are volunteering after having seen Ryan helping out all these years,” says DeDe. Ryan believes children need good role models to succeed. “Kids talk like crazy and share everything they experience at home and at school, so I always remind parents about the importance of being a good role model at home,” says Ryan, “because kids follow what we do.” Ryan believes one of his most important roles as a volunteer is to provide support and a different perspective for kids. According to Ryan, “Kids need to know they are not alone and that a lot of kids go through a lot of the same things.”

Over the years Ryan and DeDe have witnessed incredible feats in the lives of children. One of DeDe’s favorite memories—what she coins a “Wow” moment—is listening to a little boy who was nonverbal when he began the ECE program at Lake View now speak aloud as a second grader. “You feel like you are a part of the successes because you’ve helped,” says DeDe.

Aside from busy volunteer schedules, Ryan and DeDe both work full-time. Ryan works for a paper distribution company, while DeDe just recently began a real estate career. Their three children—one sixth grader and two second graders—keep them busy with activities and school work. In addition, DeDe is the director of The Foundation for Nager and Miller Syndromes (FNMS). FNMS is an international support group dedicated to helping those affected by Nager and Miller syndromes. DeDe primarily provides support and information for families and medical personnel who are affected and/or treating Nager and Miller syndromes. Currently FNMS supports two genetic research studies at University of Washington and Johns Hopkins University. Ryan serves on the board of the Children’s Therapy Center—one of the largest non-profits in King County—which provides families with early intervention services for infants and young children who are experiencing difficulties in developing skills that seem to come so automatically to other children. He can also be found on many afternoons coaching AYSA soccer.

Ryan and DeDe’s consistent interaction and support over the years have brightened the lives of many children throughout the district.

For more information contact Amy Spence, public information officer, at (253) 931-4713.