September 2019 Character Hero Nominees

Our Students...

OHS students Alina Lombardo and Mariah Smith exhibited commitment, kindness, patience, courage, perseverance, creativity, cooperation, and responsibility for building a Community Library this summer for their Girl Scout Silver Award. The girls also collected several hundred books for their library.

OHS student Jacob Lombardo exhibited commitment, kindness, patience, courage, perseverance, creativity, cooperation and responsibility for building a community library at the Teen Center. He and his Boy Scout Troop #515 collected more than 300 books for the library.

OHS student Joseph Maxfield exhibited commitment, kindness, respect, patience, courage, perseverance, creativity, cooperation, responsibility, and selflessness for building a bench for Triangle Park and two benches at the Orting Skate Park. His Boy Scout Troop #515 helped install the benches.

OHS student Ben Rosendale exhibited commitment, kindness, patience, courage, perseverance, creativity, and responsibility for building and installing 3 benches for the Orting Calestoga Park with his Boy Scout #515 they installed the benches.”

OMS student Nicco Rosendale exhibited commitment, kindness, patience, courage, perseverance, creativity, cooperation, responsibility, and selflessness for conducting 2 car washes to earn money to have OMS Band instruments repaired. Nicco also worked all summer helping repair the instruments.

OHS student Jaylynn Tuchscherer exhibited kindness. Jaylynn was nominated by Erin Sluka and the OHS Food Service Team because “She comes through daily and is always in the best spirits. She asks how we are, compliments us and always walks away with well wishes and is just so sweet. My gals who serve says she is the same with them. Just pure politeness!!”

Our Staff and Community...

Jill Garcia was nominated for commitment, kindness, respect, patience, humility, courage, perseverance, empathy, gratitude, creativity, cooperation, responsibility, honesty and selflessness. "She is the warm smiling helpful face of the district to staff, parents, students and community as the come in the door of the Central Office. She is always respectful, positive and helpful to everyone. She is the humble hands behind the scene to setup many events, moving stealthily so everything comes together somehow, and so well."

Gariann Frey, the OHS Volleyball team and booster club were nominated for selflessness and cooperation for working together on Dig Pink Night, an event that supports the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. At the match on October 9th at 7:15 PM, the team will honor breast cancer survivors and their families between the 2nd and 3rd sets and all money made from booster club baked good sales will to to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. They also sell T-shirts to support the cause. Their actions around bringing the entire community together to support a cause is truly inspiring and just the kind of Character Heroes the world needs!

Community member Kaitlin Gleason was nominated for kindness and empathy for hosting a back to school drive. "She showed up at the Orting School District Student Support Services office on September 3rd with 7 large boxes to donate full of supplies for Care Closets in each school and met with families in need. This donation includes backpacks for teens, socks and hygiene kits. Kaitlin's act demonstrated kindness and empathy that why she is nominated to be a Character Hero!"

Jeff Salzer at PTR was nominated for Commitment, Kindness, Respect, Patience, Humility, Courage, Perseverance, Empathy, Gratitude, Creativity, Cooperation, Responsibility, Honesty, Selflessness. "He was kind enough to strip and was my bathroom floors at PTR Portables. He didn't have to, but he did and is always around when someone needs help.

Tracey Bober is nominated for Commitment, Kindness, Respect, Patience, Humility, Courage, Perseverance, Empathy, Gratitude, Creativity, Cooperation, Responsibility, Honesty and Selflessness. "Tracey will drop what he is doing just to help someone if he sees someone needing help. At a drop of a hat, he is there. Tracy's heart is as big as the ocean. There was a bug in the gym and he went to kill it, I asked him not to kill it. He looked at me he saw how worried I was and he pick up the bug and placed it gently outside."

Anitra Villanueva is nominated for kindness and selflessness. "I was struggling to attach a new jug of water in the CO staff lunchroom and Anitra didn't hesitate for a moment; she simply came over to help me. It was truly an act of kindness. Small things are a big deal and it was so appreciated!"

Jason Garcia is nominated for commitment. "Jason has shown commitment in how he works hard in providing high level thinking activities for his students in music. Jason is a team player with his colleagues in working to find what is best for each student at Ptarmigan and in our school district. I look up to Jason for his commitment to serve kids with respect and kindness every day."

Jessica Kemmerer is nominated for Commitment, Kindness, Empathy, Selflessness. "When I was out to be with my grandmother in her last days, Jessica took on, out of the kindness of her heart, planning for my classes and even swapping classes with the sub so she could teach my classes along with her own. She did this all with a smile and grace, reassuring me not to worry in my time of need, and did it like it was no burden at all. She is truly a hero to me."

Matt Hundven is nominated for Commitment, Kindness, Respect, Patience, Humility, Courage, Perseverance, Empathy, Gratitude, Creativity, Cooperation, Responsibility, Honesty and Selflessness. "Matt needs to have a cape flowing as a true super hero!! He meets every challenge with creativity, perseverance and commitment. We should be so grateful to have him as a member of our team!"

James Pirello is nominated for commitment. J"ames was helping PTTE get the popcorn maker set up for the OMS Open House. The popcorn machine had a unique cord that wasn't fitting well with our extension cords. James persevered and made sure the popcorn could be popping by the time the event started. Way to go James!"

Daneene Rakes was nominated twice for Kindness, Cooperation, Responsibility and Selflessness. Within a moment's notice Daneene was asked to cover a day shift that she hasn't done before given her normal shift at different district sites is swing shift. I'm so proud of her willingness to step up to help others! A great example of a "can do" attitude!

Lynne Tifft was nominated for kindness for being so welcoming each morning. Every day she is in front of PTR and helping students get out of the car and into school safely. But it's not just about what she does, but how she does it. She always has a smile on her face and a warm greeting for students and family members, which helps them start of their day on the right foot.

Nathan Weathers is a community member that was nominated for commitment for volunteering his time to bring his love of lacrosse to the students of Orting. He volunteers his time by visiting physical education classes, running the youth lacrosse program, and pursing grants to expand lacrosse opportunities for kids.

Anne Milhorn was nominated for responsibility by demonstrating top-knotch leadership. She is a PLC lead that guides her professional learning community with positive energy and a determination to ensure that her group comes together for Orting students. Her voice is also valued at the school level during in-service days and staff meetings.

Natalie Decker was nominated for commitment, empathy and kindness. She was in math training during a new student's first day. She took her personal lunch time to connect with this anxious student because she just cared so much about making sure that student felt safe and supported.