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

6/18/07

NEWS RELEASE
Sheryl Anderson Receives Auburn School District Board of Directors'
Gold Star Volunteer Award

The Auburn School District Board of Directors will present the Gold Star Volunteer Award to Sheryl Anderson, in recognition of her volunteer support at Lea Hill Elementary School, on Monday, June 25, at 7 p.m. in the board room at the James P. Fugate Administration Building.

Sheryl has dedicated over 10 years of volunteer service to Lea Hill—ever since her oldest of three began attending Lea Hill in kindergarten. “I’ve always wanted to be involved in my children’s schooling and get to know their friends and the community,” remarks Sheryl. “I am somebody who just likes to help out in all of the school’s activities; I’ll transport food, help out at the office, whatever needs to be done.”

Perhaps Sheryl’s easygoing personality and willingness to do just about anything at anytime is one of the reasons she’s joked with the staff and asked, “Do you have a sleeping bag there for me?” While Sheryl has cut back her hours some this year due to her children’s busier activity schedules, she still likes to help out whenever she can.

Sheryl has participated in a myriad of activities including: Lea Hill’s Mustang Milers running program; the student-of-the-month program; PTA fundraising activities like the annual trot-a-thon—this year raising $14,000; the STAR reading program; teacher appreciation week; and many more. Sheryl considers herself more of a follower than a leader, but her modeling of service has likely led many others to try their hand at a thing or two. “I like to be available,” smiles Sheryl.

One of Sheryl’s favorite activities is the Mustang Milers running program. “I like to run and I used to run 5 and 10 Ks competitively,” says Sheryl. Sheryl helps to organize this school program that boosts children’s physical fitness levels and provides an opportunity for even teachers and adults to exercise.

Sheryl co-chairs the student-of-the-month program, and has been doing so for the past seven years. Her responsibilities include providing the selected students and Principal Herda with a pizza party during lunch time. “It’s a great celebration for the recognized students,” says Sheryl.

Sheryl’s two oldest children are now at Auburn Mountainview High School and Rainier Middle School. A few years ago she co-chaired Rainier’s Teacher Appreciation Week committee, where she organized lunches, gifts and other small tokens of appreciation for the staff.

Sheryl credits much of her consistency as a volunteer to her family and to the many other people who help out. Additionally, she feels the changing demographics in Lea Hill have been great for the area. “I’ve gotten to know a lot of families and it’s so neat to see all the differences. When I moved here I felt out of place being Japanese, but now there are a lot more different cultures, which I really enjoy,” says Sheryl.

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