South Sound Reading Foundation Literacy Champion Awards
Meet our 2024 South Sound Literacy Champions
South Sound Literacy Champion - North Thurston Public Schools
North Thurston Public Schools is the foundation on which the South Sound Reading Foundation stands. Not only do they support us in all we do, they were also our founding force. In 2001 they championed our efforts to become the first youth literacy non-profit in the region, and for the past two plus decades, they have continued to support and champion our work in every way possible.
Additionally, thanks to Superintendent Clemens, North Thurston high schools’ wood shops,’ and North Thurston Kiwanis, every elementary and middle school in the district now has a Little Free Library well stocked with wonderful books. This ensures all children throughout the district have regular access to free high-quality books.
They also partner with us each year to host the summer reading challenge, ensuring their students are reading throughout the summer, averting the dreaded summer slide. Then there is Battle of the Books and Lacey Loves to Read, and I could go on and on. If we were to list all the district does to promote literacy and a love of reading, we would be here until Monday.
When we were realizing the need to recognize our region’s literacy champions, we nearly named the community partner award the North Thurston Public Schools Literacy Champion Award for Community Partners, but that is just too long for a plaque. But it is true, North Thurston is the epitome of a literacy champion.
Lois Asay Literacy Champion - Jessica Kennedy-Perez
During the pandemic Jessica helped their stepdaughter build and paint two little free libraries; one for children and one for YA/Adult, bringing a reading hub to their neighborhood. Jessica diligently rotates the books, posting social media updates, and getting the neighbors involved to keep the library up to date and interesting. Jessica networks with other little libraries to find and trade books. She has also taken on two abandoned little free libraries ensuring all the libraries are well stocked with terrific books.
Additionally, during the winter, Jessica created a "Letters to Santa" box affixed to the little library. Kids dropped off letters to Santa and within 48 hours received letters in return. This was popular with kids and parents alike, and it promoted reading and writing in their community. Jessica is truly a literacy champion.
Shirlee Lehnis Literacy Champion - Nyle Koffarnus
Nyle was born with several visual impairments and has every reason NOT to be able to read well, but Nyle loves reading. He’s a 9- year-old who is curious, precocious, and an autodidact who reads to learn. He wins a reading competition every year at his martial arts studio (Master Na). Last year he read over 10,000 pages in one summer alone. He reads college-level books on history, engineering, science, etc. He can memorize anything, from facts on physics and battleships, to archaeology and poetry, after reading the material just a couple times. Nyle is a true literacy champion.
About the South Sound Reading Foundation's Literacy Champion Awards
About Lois Asay–Lois devoted her life to children, education, and literacy. She had a successful 37-year career in education that included classroom teaching in a variety of grade levels, special education and Title 1 Reading, and 15 years as an elementary school principal. Following her retirement in 2004, Lois became a volunteer for the South Sound Reading Foundation.
In her nine years as a volunteer at the Foundation, Lois planned and conducted story times, designed and gave presentations to families, and helped thousands of children select the perfect book. When the Foundation lost an important staff member, Lois stepped in allowing the Foundation to continue providing programming. Lois also trained and oversaw fellow volunteers, and she served on numerous Reading Foundation committees.
Lois had a passion for literacy and a natural gift with children. She was an inspiration to us all. She passed away on February 6th, 2013. To honor her memory, each year the Reading Foundation recognize an outstanding adult or group in our community who has gone above and beyond to promote literacy and learning.
About Shirlee Lehnis—Shirlee, a beloved South Sound educator, dedicate her life to children, learning, and literacy. She was also the founder and life force of the South Sound Reading Foundation. She was instrumental in the formation of the Foundation, bringing administrators, educators, and community members together to understand and address literacy and its impact on our community. She then worked with the National Children’s Reading Foundation to establish the South Sound Chapter.
Shirlee's professional career spanned 43 years as teacher and administrator, the last twenty-seven of which were spent with the North Thurston Public Schools. Her focus throughout her career was on literacy and children, and children with special needs.
Shirlee continued to support literacy and serve on the Foundation’s board, even after she was diagnosed with cancer. She passed away on June 27, 2007. She left a huge legacy and has changed the lives of thousands of South Sound children through her commitment to literacy, schools, and the Reading Foundation. To honor her memory, each year the Foundation recognizes an outstanding child or youth, or child/youth group in our community who has gone above and beyond to promote literacy and learning.
LITERACY CHAMPION AWARD WINNER HISTORY
2011 Shirlee Lehnis Literacy Champion: Tumwater High School Honors/AP English Students
2012 Shirlee Lehnis Literacy Champion: Paws of Time Lakes Elementary Newspaper
2013 Shirlee Lehnis Literacy Champion: Terri Evans, South Sound High School
2014 Shirlee Lehnis Youth Literacy Champion: Kayta Tourtillott, Avanti
2015 Lois Asay Adult Literacy Champion: Marcia Jana, Woodland Elementary; Shirlee Lehnis Literacy Champion: Lovey Farler, Mt. View Elementary
2016 Lois Asay Adult Literacy Champion: Holly Paxson, Lacey Timberland Library; Shirlee Lehnis Youth Literacy Champion: Olympia High School Interact Club
2017 Lois Asay Adult Literacy Champion: Judy Fondaw, Peter G. Schmidt Elementary; Shirlee Lehnis Youth Literacy Champion: NOVA Middle School 7th graders
2018 Lois Asay Adult Literacy Champion: Sharla Desy, Pleasant Glade Elementary; Shirlee Lehnis Youth Literacy Champion: Loren Kattenbraker (dogs, books and more); Partner Literacy Champion: SCJ Alliance
2019 Lois Asay Adult Literacy Champion: Katy Beattie, Librarian Garfield Elementary; Shirlee Lehnis Youth Literacy Champion: Mruthula Mohanvaanathi, Tumwater Boy’s and Girl’s Club; Partner Literacy Champion: Olympia Pediatrics
2021 Lois Asay Adult Literacy Champion: Amy Solo, ELA Teacher, North Thurston High School; Shirlee Lehnis Youth Literacy Champion Award: Andre Leonard and his lemonade stand
2022 Lois Asay Adult Literacy Champion: Esperanza (Espie) Badillo-DiIorio; Shirlee Lehnis Youth Literacy Champion Award: Owen Teuteberg;
Special Reader Leader Award: Joseph O’Brien
2023 Lois Asay Adult Literacy Champion: Barbara Clarkson
Shirlee Lehnis Youth Literacy Champion Award: Joey Fausto
Literacy Champion Partner: TwinStar Credit Union
