Northshore Wall of Honor Committee Seeks Nominees

Editor's Note: Craig Smith is a resident of Kirkland's Highlands Neighborhood, a retired Seattle Times sportswriter and a 1963 Bothell High graduate.

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BY CRAIG SMITH

What started as a conversation between two classmates in 2009  blossomed into the Northshore Wall of Honor in Kirkland's neighboring town of Bothell last year, and now the deadline is approaching for nominations for the 2011 class of inductees.

The wall is at Pop Keeney Stadium in downtown Bothell, and this year's nomination deadline is March 31. The selection committee will meet in April. Nominees must be graduates of Northshore School District high schools -- Bothell, Inglemoor, Woodinville and Secondary Academy for Success -- who have been out of high school for at least 15 years, and former district employees who have been retired for at least five years.

Last year’s class of 17 included U.S. Sen. Patty Murray; Pulitzer Prize winner Peter Rinearson; 1984 Olympic gold medalists Tracie Ruiz Conforto and Candy Costie Merrill; sailor Karen Scholl Thorndike, who is the first woman to sail solo around the world; and former Alaska Gov. Keith Miller. Retired district officials included teacher-principal Larry Peterson, music educators Bernie Ackerman and Dennis Behrens, and the late superintendent Julian Karp.

“Now it’s another year and we are seeking public help in getting deserving nominees,” said co-chairman George Selg, who came up with the idea of the Wall of Honor with Bothell  High Class of 1963 classmate Al Strand.

“We know there are deserving people who should be considered that we just don’t know about,” Selg said. “Athletes, politicians and entertainers are pretty easy to track but folks in science, business and other occupations are much more difficult. One of the 2010 inductees was Dr. John E. Halver, known in international scientific circles as 'the father of fish nutrition.'

"The 1940 Bothell High School graduate is also known for his nutritional research for humans and he continues to help people around the world. He clearly represents the type of honoree we are looking for, but if his family and friends hadn’t made us aware of him, he wouldn’t have been considered.”

“We also need help in learning about gifted teachers, principals and volunteers,” Selg continued. “For example, some teachers taught in schools (that) the selection committee members don't know much about or in decades where their knowledge is limited. There are legendary teachers and administrators who have made a profound impact on our school district or specific education programs and they deserve full consideration. We admit we just don’t know about them.”

Co-chairman Strand said, “Bothell, Inglemoor and Woodinville high schools and the Secondary Academy for Success high school have had a combined total of about 200 graduating classes. That guarantees us a pool of exceptional candidates. We want to honor them and also inspire today’s students and staff. Also, it’s just fun to look at the Wall and say, ‘I didn’t know she went to Inglemoor' and 'I didn’t know he grew up in Northshore.'”

Selg and Strand emphasized that one thing that improves an alumnus' chances is evidence of “giving back” to the community, state or beyond.

“It doesn’t have to be headline stuff, but it should be significant and meaningful,” said Selg. “A legacy of mentoring young people or volunteering in community programs that impact and enrich the lives of others certainly qualifies. It’s just further proof that we’re dealing not only with an exceptionally talented person but also a good and inspirational person.”

The Northshore School District web site has nomination forms, more information and bios of last year’s inductees. Strand can be contacted at 425-877-9002 and Selg at 206-660-4646.