South Sound Reading Foundation's 2026 Literacy Champions
Lois Asay Literacy Champion, Courtney Schrieve
As the founding Director of the South Sound Reading Foundation, Courtney established the organization we know today with its free books program, story times and family education, its mascot, Booker T. (20-minutes-a-day) Bear, and its beloved Book Van. Additionally, Courtney served on the Reading Foundation’s board for 4 years and among other impactful contributions, was part of a small team who brought Readers are Leaders into existence.
Courtney has worked in North Thurston Public Schools for nearly 20 years and it that capacity she has shared her passion for literacy with students, colleagues, and the Lacey Community. For example, she was one of the founding committee members of Lacey Loves to Read; an event that gets the community, kids and adults alike, to read a book, then meet the author. This annual event attracts notable award-winning authors to Lacey. Authors such as Jason Alexander, Matt de la Pena, Gary Soto, Jane Yolen, Walter Dean Myers, and most recently, Renee Watson, have shared their love of literacy with thousands of students and their families.
Finally, throughout the years, Courtney has spearheaded numerous book drives on the Reading Foundation’s behalf, bringing in thousands and thousands of books. This year, for her birthday, she hosted a Facebook fundraiser, raising $700 for new Spanish book, always in high demand.
Courtney is currently writing her own book. She has also passed on her love of literacy to her son Hal who is a published author living in New York.
Shirlee Lehnis Literacy Champion, Artemis Potter
Artemis has served as a Library TA in the Timberline High School Library for all four years of their high school career. During that time, they have profoundly enriched our library’s programs, services, and community.
Artemis has become our resident expert TA, developing advanced knowledge of both cataloging and our circulation system. Their skill and reliability have made them an essential part of daily library operations. Artemis knows our library collection inside and out, and their warm, approachable nature means students often seek them out for reading recommendations. Artemis’s creativity shines through in the countless displays they have created—each one eye‑catching, engaging, and carefully designed to spark curiosity and promote reading. They have also been a passionate advocate for inclusive literature.
As a founding and active member of the Student Library Advisory Council, Artemis has helped shape the direction of our library, offering ideas for collection development, programming, contests, and events that make the library a more welcoming and vibrant space for all students.
Artemis’s impact extends beyond Timberline High School. They applied the cataloging and organizational skills gained as a TA to create and implement a full cataloging system for the library at Stonewall Youth, transforming an unstructured collection into a searchable, usable library that greatly increased accessibility for the community.
South Sound Partner Literacy Champion, Olympia Federal Savings
Olympia Federal Savings has been a cornerstone of the Reading Foundation family since the very start. Their impact is woven into everything we do:
- A Foundation of Support: Back in 2005, when our first book van was brand new, OlyFed was right there as one of our inaugural sponsors, helping us literally drive our mission into the community.
- The Engine Behind Our Events: They are instrumental in making today possible, and we are already looking forward to their partnership this fall for Books by the Bay.
- Innovation in Giving: They find creative ways to give back, like their incredible "Two Cents" program, which turned thousands of everyday transactions into a powerful investment in local literacy.
More than a partner, OlyFed truly embodies the spirit of a Literacy Champion. Through their steady support and genuine heart, they are helping us build a more literate, confident, and resilient community for everyone.
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 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
2024 Lois Asay Adult Literacy Champion: Jessica Kennedy-Perez/Shirlee Lehnis Youth Literacy Champion Award: Nyle Koffarnus/Literacy Champion Partner: North Thurston Public Schools
2025 Lois Asay Literacy Champion: Lisa Estcourt, Reading Intervention Teacher at Madison Elementary/Shirlee Lehnis Youth Literacy Champion: Leilonie Perez/South Sound Literacy Champion, Port Blakely.
