Fran Call Named 2012 Citizen of the Year

Mercer Island City Council announced Monday that former Mercer Island schoolteacher and fitness buff Fran Call was selected as the 2012 Citizen of the Year.

Call was presented with the city's highest honor at the beginning of the council's June 3 public meeting to a round of applause.

For 26 years Call taught english, history and outdoor fitness at the Junior High and Middle School on the Island and stays busy as a volunteer fitness group leader for "Solemates", a walking group for participants 55 years old and over.

The following is a city press release describing Call and her background:

Known for her motivational talents and no-nonsense but caring nature, Ms. Call earned the respect of many generations of students.  

Always an outdoor enthusiast, she developed a legendary outdoor fitness program, a "P.E. Plus" class that had kids running, bicycling, hiking, canoeing and learning outdoor survival skills. Students would train for numerous feats such as: walking all the way around Lake Washington; building a shelter for a night alone in the woods; canoeing around Mercer Island; and more. Motivated students could even join an annual self-supported bike ride led by Ms. Call to various destinations on the other side of the country.  

Since her retirement 20 years ago, Fran hasn't even considered slowing down, instead starting a walking group for people over 55, offered through the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Department.  

Fran Call has been an amazing influence on the lives of generations of Islanders - first for young teens for over 20 years, and then for seniors over the past 20 years. She is truly a treasure for this community and most deserving of Citizen of the Year.