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Thank you to all our amazing 2024-2025 EMS PTSA volunteers and members! Whether you chaired or served on a PTSA committee, coached an enrichment team, brought delicious food for staff appreciation events, supported the theater production, donated funds, attended membership meetings, volunteered your time in other ways to help our school and students, or were simply a member of the Evergreen PTSA - without your support none of what we do would be possible! On behalf of the 2024-2025 Evergreen PTSA Middle School Board of Directors, we thank you!!
WALTER J. FERGUSON AWARD
When Evergreen Jr. High (now Evergreen Middle School) opened its doors in the fall of 1982, Mr. Ferguson was the principal who had been chosen to lead the new staff and students. He began teaching at Kirkland Jr. High in 1956 after receiving a degree in history from Western Washington University. After earning a Master’s Degree he became a vice principal, then principal of KJH. In 1972 he moved to Rose Hill Jr. High to serve as their principal, where he remained until he was chosen to be Evergreen’s planning principal. Not only was Mr. Ferguson admired and respected within our school district, but he also provided leadership at the state level as president of the Washington Jr. High and Middle School Principals Association.
The Walter J. Ferguson Service Award is awarded to a teacher or staff member who exemplifies the high standards the first Evergreen principal set. Mr. Fergeson believed that learning should be enjoyable and that Evergreen students should receive the very best educational opportunity possible.
2024-25 Award Winner: John Fraczek
The list of additional roles that Mr. Fraczek has under his email signature says it all: “EMS Honor Society Advisor/ Exploravision Advisor/ Science Olympiad Advisor/ PRIDE Club Advisor.” This is all in addition to him being an 8th grade science teacher.
His science lessons are described as “engaging” and he shows his commitment to teaching by empowering students to take risks and try new things. Students describe him as caring, committed, funny, and kind. One example a student gave of his effort and commitment was a description of a long, handwritten test that was given to over 100 students, and by the next day, Mr. Fraczek had it graded.
Mr. Fraczek is dedicated to supporting not only his students but their families as they prepare for the transition to high school. On select evenings throughout the year, he hosts Parent/Guardian support classes. With topics like how to support student transition to high school science, their mental health and more!
We in the EMS community are so appreciative of not only all the additional opportunities he provides for students, but for the support he gives to families and for the dedication, passion, and care he brings
to teaching.
OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD
This unique Washington State PTA award recognizes any school or community member who does an exceptional job of providing educational opportunities for our students. An educator may be defined as a teacher, assistant, custodian, bus driver, administrator, or PTSA/community member. This person is a positive role model for our students who goes beyond the normal scope of their job to create an outstanding educational environment. Evergreen PTSA will make a donation in the name of the recipient of this award to the Washington State PTA Grant Foundation for post secondary education scholarships.
2024-2025 Award Winner: Kristian Dahl
Mr. Dahl has been the past recipient of the Golden Eagle Award, the Walter J. Fergson Service Award, and last year, the Outstanding Advocate Award. Initially, we were hesitant to give him yet another award; however, the nominations for him kept rolling in. Many of these nominations weren’t just one sentence or two; they were descriptive and heartfelt. They came from parents, PTSA volunteers, and staff.
Here are few things that were said about him:
Here are just a few of the many things said about Mr. Dahl.
“Principal Dahl consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to the success and well-being of students, staff, and families. He listens attentively to parents' concerns, thoughtfully considers their feedback, and takes appropriate and timely actions to address issues and improve the school environment. His approachability and responsiveness have built a strong bridge between the school and the parent community.” ~parent
“Mr. Dahl has made EMS the envy of the Lake Washington school district. The staff are happy, the kids are happy and despite a few bad players in the pick-up line the parents are thrilled with the environment and education provided at Evergreen.” ~Volunteer
“From the first time I met him, I was impressed with his enthusiasm and heart. I have seen him go above and beyond to help students - current and former (like when he rescued a former student who had car trouble). He is terrific with his staff - an active listener, an empathetic and passionate leader, and a kind human. Students see how respectful and polite he is to all individuals, and they enjoy being in his presence. He's a natural leader and a role model for many.” ~ Parent Volunteer
“He leads with integrity, he thinks of students first, and supports staff in unimaginable ways.” ~ Staff member
In every aspect of his role, Mr. Dahl embodies responsibility, compassion, and leadership. We have been very fortunate to have had such a dedicated principal and outstanding educator at Evergreen Middle School.
GOLDEN EAGLE AWARD
This award is unique to our school community. It was established in 1995 to recognize those individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their continued and dedicated service to students at EMS. An individual receiving this award is a positive role model. He or she goes above and beyond the call to encourage the success of our students, in turn making Evergreen a better place for all.
2024-2025 Award Winner: Patrice Stockton
EMS is lucky to have Ms. Stockton! She is such a warm and welcoming person. It makes it a pleasure to stop in at the office. Despite the incessant buzzing noise from the front door, that probably haunts her dreams, she makes everyone entering EMS feel welcome. She connects one on one with students - checking in to see if they got enough sleep, had breakfast, or setting goals with them to figure out how to get to school on time; supporting them when they forget their locker combinations; or firmly but kindly setting boundaries and helping them problem solve and become more independent.
Ms. Stockton goes above and beyond on a daily basis to make EMS students feel welcome and recognized. She knows the majority of the students by name, and she can be heard saying "I just love so and so or so and so is such a neat person". As a co-worker wrote, “She is the kind of person that everyone should have in their life! She is sunshine in human form!” And we couldn’t agree more.
GOLDEN ACORN AWARD
This is the highest award the PTSA gives to honor an individual who has consistently demonstrated outstanding service to all children in the Evergreen community. This award recipient has made the commitment to helping children and youth in many areas of the community, over and above the responsibilities of an office or job. A contribution will be made by our PTSA in the name of the Golden Acorn Award recipient to the Washington State PTA Grant Foundation which in turn funds scholarships to high school seniors for post-secondary education.
2024-2025 Award Winner: Jennifer Downing
Jenn Downing has been a dedicated volunteer for the last five years and has served as co-treasurer and this year as the EMS PTSA Executive Vice President. She has spent countless hours behind the scenes of the EMS PTSA to help support its programs and run the organization.
Jenn is fearless, direct, organized, kind and wicked funny. Whether it is a freezing cold morning waving levy signs in the wind or counting coins for concessions, when Jenn is around, there are always smiles
She is also an incredible leader. Jenn has a gift for finding a solution and easing tensions. She leads by example and speaks honestly and directly. Not avoiding difficult decisions.
When needed, Jenn is always there to help out, provide support, or give a situation clarity.
Thank you, Jenn, for the years of support you have given to the EMS PTSA, the school, and its community.
2024-2025 Award Winner: Yvonne Klaue & Ann Hall
Communications for PTSAs require not only the skills and creativity to create engaging content, but the willingness and ability to do so when panicked volunteers reach out with last-minute requests. An exceptional Communication team also helps to remind volunteers that they may need to create a Sign-Up genius, pick a date for an event, or _______________(fill in the blank), so that they can do their job.
The communication team of Ann Hall and Yvonne Klaue was exceptional this year. They are both detailed and thorough and complete every request/graphic/anything as soon as they can. They have supported the entire PTSA this year from fundraising to enrichment clubs and treasurers to committee chairs. They have worked tirelessly to communicate information with the community and school in a variety of creative and new ways; problemed solved tech issues; advocated for a new website, and then ran an almost seamless transition; guided us in the new state membership database; efficiently answered Facebook questions; supported the newsletter; helped the EMS PTSA get recognized at the state level; set a renewed focus on hearing student voices; and much, much more!
We could not be more appreciative of all the behind-the-scenes support and countless hours both Yvonne and Ann have provided this year in support of the PTSA, Evergreen’s staff and students, and its community.
