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Mountaineer Athletics Person of Distinction – Jolene Baisden

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NORTHWEST CONFERENCE – PERSON OF DISTINCTION AWARD

The Northwest Conference puts high value on celebrating our students, programs and communities throughout the school year.  From “Leaders in Sportsmanship,” to “Coaches vs. Cancer” and “Only 7 Seconds,” The Northwest Conference consistently goes above and beyond with outreach to every school and their corresponding communities.

Each school in the NWC will have the opportunity to highlight someone from their community as a “Person of Distinction.” This honor will celebrate someone associated with each athletic program and draw a spotlight on the amazing selfless people who help make this conference so special!

Mount Baker Athletics

Person of Distinction – Jolene Baisden

 I am super honored to be writing about my friend and coworker Jolene Baisden. I met Jolene over 28 years ago when she and my husband were volunteering for the local fire department. We became quick friends and I have to say that she has been by my side through the darkest times in my life but also for some of the best times as well. 

      Jolene not only has been a great friend to countless others and me but she is also a dedicated wife, mother and daughter to her family. She is a proud member of the Tlingit nation from SW Alaska, which is evident by her countless hours, and love that she has provided to the many first nation students at our school. Jolene can be found in many diverse and challenging classes providing expert assistance. Further, you can find her sharing her office with students that might need a mental break, a snack, or just a quiet place to study.   Another wonderful thing about Jolene is her willingness to be involved with the extracurricular events around the school. Jolene can be found taking tickets at Friday night football games year after year and assisting with the JH/HS school volleyball and basketball scorebooks.  Moreover, one cannot forget to appreciate the many hours she has spent being a union secretary, a member of the Athletic Booster Club and countless other committees and boards throughout her 25-year career with the district. 

     Jolene Baisden is a true pillar of strength in our community and in our school district. She leads by strong moral and ethical beliefs, a warm and thoughtful heart and the willingness to hold herself up when faced with a challenge. I am thrilled that she is being recognized as a person of distinction, she is truly deserving!

Stacy Cain 

Mount Baker School District

 

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Sedro-Woolley Growing Track & Field with New Podcast!

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Sedro-Woolley Track & Field

Skagit County Track & Field Podcast – Season 2, Episode 1: Back on the Track!

Get ready for another season of spikes, sprints, and soaring jumps! Join hosts Jake and Johnny as they kick off Season 2 of the Skagit County Track & Field Podcast. In this preview episode, they’ll outline what you can expect in the coming weeks, including exciting interviews with Skagit County coaches and even coaches of state championship-winning teams! Plus, they’ll recap all the action from the 2024 Skagit County Track Meet, highlighting the top performances and memorable moments. Don’t miss the starting gun for Season 2 – tune in now!

YouTube Channel Link:

Spotify Channel Link:

Northwest Conference “Thank an Official” Campaign

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Northwest Conference
“Thank an Official” Campaign

During the school year, the 16 member schools of the Northwest Conference are recognizing the importance of the umpires, referees and officials who manage our athletic contests. During each of our athletic seasons, the Northwest Conference has designated a week to show our appreciation for officials through the “Thank an Official” Campaign. Throughout the NWC, we are recognizing and celebrating our officials.

More than 5,000 officials serve Washington State high schools by doing their best to ensure all contests are fair, safe and fun.

Officials are required to register with the state officials’ association, complete annual rules meetings, and attend yearly training clinics. In addition, they spend countless hours in preparation for and traveling to contests.

High school officiating is an avocation, not a vocation. It is something done in addition to full-time employment. Officials work for the enjoyment of staying involved with the sports they love and for the opportunity to give back to kids, coaches and schools.

Officials are crucial in providing our student participants an opportunity to learn life lessons through education-based athletics. Enforcing the rules of the game fairly and consistently, and holding students and coaches to behavior expectations, are vitally important to successful high school events.

We ask all spectators, athletes, and coaches to be especially appreciative of the officials and the great job they do in serving our kids and programs. Without them there are no games!

More officials are needed in all sports and at all levels. For more information on how you can get involved, go to woa-officials.com for more information on becoming an official.

Character & Leadership Spotlight – Lynden High School

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CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP WITHIN SPORTS

The Northwest Conference loves celebrating our student-athletes in and outside of the classroom. Character Development and Leadership are a top priority in the conference, and we want to provide our communities with a simple and efficient way to see character, leadership and sportsmanship of our student-athletes through the traits that make them up.

The Northwest Conference is asking every school to select two of the 32 character traits to show recognition to two student-athletes within their programs for that trait.  This will be going on throughout the summer and will include the follow words:

PASSION APPRECIATION PREPARATION SELFLESSNESS GRIT ACCOUNTABILITY
SPORTSMANSHIP HUMILITY COMPETITIVENESS HONESTY CARING CONFIDENCE
COMPOSURE TOLERANCE COURAGE POSITIVE ATTITUDE SERVICE ENTHUSIASM
LEADERSHIP DETERMINATION CHARACTER EFFORT COMMITMENT TEAMWORK
DESIRE WORK ETHIC COACHABLE TRUST FOCUS GOOD JUDGEMENT
PERSEVERANCE     INTEGRITY    

Character and Leadership play an important role in the development and success of our schools, and athletics show them in one of the most polarizing ways possible. Today we are recognizing two stellar student-athletes from Lynden High School!

LYNDEN HIGH SCHOOL

COMPOSURE

Kiki York (Lynden)

A composed athlete possesses the mental fortitude to remain calm and focused under immense pressure, allowing them to make clear decisions and execute their skills effectively even when facing setbacks or challenging situations.  Kiki York exemplifies this in both basketball and track. 

Kiki’s ability to remain calm no matter how big the moment, is a testament to her composure.  She always competes with a level of control that allows her to rise to the occasion.

TOLERANCE

Spencer Adams (Lynden)

Spencer Adams personifies the word “tolerance” because he has a fair, objective, and welcoming approach about the people he comes across at school. Whether it is in the classroom or on the basketball court, Spencer respects and accepts others who are like him and those who are unlike him. He is the first to offer to give younger players rides to team events.

Spencer encourages and supports all his teammates and sets a good example in his behavior and attitude. In addition, he is all-in for younger students in our community whether it is serving lunches at elementary schools or teaching the game of basketball to seventh graders at one of Lynden’s youth basketball camps. Tolerance is a good virtue, but Spencer goes beyond that because he is also kind to students and staff.

Character & Leadership Spotlight – Lakewood High School

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CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP WITHIN SPORTS

The Northwest Conference loves celebrating our student-athletes in and outside of the classroom. Character Development and Leadership are a top priority in the conference, and we want to provide our communities with a simple and efficient way to see character, leadership and sportsmanship of our student-athletes through the traits that make them up.

The Northwest Conference is asking every school to select two of the 32 character traits to show recognition to two student-athletes within their programs for that trait.  This will be going on throughout the summer and will include the follow words:

PASSION APPRECIATION PREPARATION SELFLESSNESS GRIT ACCOUNTABILITY
SPORTSMANSHIP HUMILITY COMPETITIVENESS HONESTY CARING CONFIDENCE
COMPOSURE TOLERANCE COURAGE POSITIVE ATTITUDE SERVICE ENTHUSIASM
LEADERSHIP DETERMINATION CHARACTER EFFORT COMMITMENT TEAMWORK
DESIRE WORK ETHIC COACHABLE TRUST FOCUS GOOD JUDGEMENT
PERSEVERANCE     INTEGRITY    

Character and Leadership play an important role in the development and success of our schools, and athletics show them in one of the most polarizing ways possible. Today we are recognizing two stellar student-athletes from Lakewood High School!

LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

CONFIDENCE

Bakary Sonko – (Lakewood)

Bakary was nominated by teacher, coach, and advisor Mr. Sam Watson. He writes, “Bakary is the perfect example of representing our school, community, and team with great character, confidence and leadership. Not only is he a talented athlete, but he is confident in his own ability but in those of his teammates as well. He is the kindest young man I have had the pleasure of coaching. In just one year of knowing him as an athlete there were countless examples of Bakary going out of his way to include and support any of the younger players.” Bakary is a member of our varsity football, basketball, and soccer teams.

CARING

Megan Omlid (Lakewood)

Meg is known around Lakewood to be as caring as she is talented. She can always be counted on to help in any situation and serves our school in countless ways. Meg is a lead mentor in our Cougar Crew, plays Unified Basketball, and is a member of our Student Section Committee. She is our ASB Treasurer and also performs as part of our LHS choir. Meg was nominated by Coaches Alyssa Conn and Chris Walster. She is a member of our varsity volleyball and track and field programs and was also recognized this year as Lakewood’s representative to the Northwest Conference Leaders in Sportsmanship.

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Cougars Person of Distinction – Dawn Taylor

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NORTHWEST CONFERENCE – PERSON OF DISTINCTION AWARD

The Northwest Conference puts high value on celebrating our students, programs and communities throughout the school year.  From “Leaders in Sportsmanship,” to “Coaches vs. Cancer” and “Only 7 Seconds,” The Northwest Conference consistently goes above and beyond with outreach to every school and their corresponding communities.

Each school in the NWC will have the opportunity to highlight someone from their community as a “Person of Distinction.” This honor will celebrate someone associated with each athletic program and draw a spotlight on the amazing selfless people who help make this conference so special!

Lakewood Athletics

Person of Distinction – Dawn Taylor

Dawn volunteers her time as the Director of Operations for both our football and boys basketball programs. She spends countless hours at practices, on the sidelines and at the table supporting the players and coaches of Lakewood High School. In addition to her role of coach and supporter of our football and basketball teams, Dawn also serves on the Lakewood School District Board Director. Dawn is a Lakewood graduate and has raised her four children in the District, two of whom have continued on to play college football. Dawn Taylor represents the dedication and service that keep our community alive and vibrant. She is a true public servant who brings people together with ideas and has an uncanny ability to make things happen. 

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Golden Eagles Athletics Person of Distinction – Frank Finkbonner

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NORTHWEST CONFERENCE – PERSON OF DISTINCTION AWARD

The Northwest Conference puts high value on celebrating our students, programs and communities throughout the school year.  From “Leaders in Sportsmanship,” to “Coaches vs. Cancer” and “Only 7 Seconds,” The Northwest Conference consistently goes above and beyond with outreach to every school and their corresponding communities.

Each school in the NWC will have the opportunity to highlight someone from their community as a “Person of Distinction.” This honor will celebrate someone associated with each athletic program and draw a spotlight on the amazing selfless people who help make this conference so special!

Ferndale Athletics

Person of Distinction – Frank Finkbonner

Frank has been a part of the Ferndale football program for over 30 years.  He is a crucial member of our team, who on many days is the first to show up and the last to leave.  Frank wears many hats, equipment manager, uniform coordinator, field set up and take down, helmet maintenance, among other things. Frank is a staple in the Ferndale football program and I know we couldn’t do it without him. He is selfless and passionate about Ferndale football and shows it every day. There is no doubt if you asked someone about Ferndale Football in our community, Frank would be identified as the face of the program! 
 
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Character & Leadership Spotlight – Burlington-Edison High School

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CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP WITHIN SPORTS

The Northwest Conference loves celebrating our student-athletes in and outside of the classroom. Character Development and Leadership are a top priority in the conference, and we want to provide our communities with a simple and efficient way to see character, leadership and sportsmanship of our student-athletes through the traits that make them up.

The Northwest Conference is asking every school to select two of the 32 character traits to show recognition to two student-athletes within their programs for that trait.  This will be going on throughout the summer and will include the follow words:

PASSIONAPPRECIATIONPREPARATIONSELFLESSNESSGRITACCOUNTABILITY
SPORTSMANSHIPHUMILITYCOMPETITIVENESSHONESTYCARINGCONFIDENCE
COMPOSURETOLERANCECOURAGEPOSITIVE ATTITUDESERVICEENTHUSIASM
LEADERSHIPDETERMINATIONCHARACTEREFFORTCOMMITMENTTEAMWORK
DESIREWORK ETHICCOACHABLETRUSTFOCUSGOOD JUDGEMENT
PERSEVERANCE  INTEGRITY  

Character and Leadership play an important role in the development and success of our schools, and athletics show them in one of the most polarizing ways possible. Today we are recognizing two stellar student-athletes from Sedro-Woolley High School!

BURLINGTON-EDISON HIGH SCHOOL

HUMILITY

Spencer Betz (Burlington-Edison)

Spencer is a 3 sport athlete in Tennis, Basketball and Track.  He is consistently the hardest worker in any sport he is in.  He is one of the best athletes in our school, yet is very humble. He definitely lets his actions do the talking.  He is very coachable, always looking for ways to get better, but never questioning or making excuses when things do not go well.  A great teammate and a joy to coach and be around. 

Kevin Gudgel, Head Track and Cross Country Coach

SPORTSMANSHIP

Damian Fernandez (Burlington-Edison)

Damian placed 8th in state in only his second year of wrestling. This is an accomplishment that very few in the wrestling world have done. He did so with grace, hard work, and dedication to the team. He has continued this approach throughout the summer by leading workouts for younger classmen. He encourages others to join the sport and inspires other athletes all while keeping his own successes to himself. 

Kip Jones, Head Boys Wrestling Coach

 

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NWC Hosts Leaders In Sportsmanship Annual Photoshoot/Luncheon

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The NWC has a sportsmanship program where each school in the conference selects one senior male athlete and one senior female athlete to represent them in a Sportsmanship poster.  Recognizing sportsmanship is crucial for fostering a positive environment within the Northwest Conference and beyond. Our encouragement to play fair, build character and promote the social/emotional well-being of our student-athletes is critical in helping progress personal growth as they enter adulthood!

NWC “Just Play Fair’ Selection Criteria

  • Above all-represents your school with the highest level of sportsmanship and integrity in competition, at practices, and in the community
  • Must be a senior
  • Possesses leadership qualities
  • Strong student
  • Positive citizen in school
  • Multi-sport athletes preferred but not required

2024-2025 NWC School Representatives:

  • Anacortes – Mikiah Dunham/Brady Beaner
  • Bellingham – Malia Hanks/Caleb Imbach
  • Blaine – Brie Smith/Blake Koreski
  • Burlington-Edison – Lily Atkins/Spencer Betz
  • Ferndale – Amelie McKeon/Wyatt Strait
  • Lakewood – Negan Omlid/JJ Hoekendorf
  • Lynden – Kiki York/Brant Heppner
  • Lynden Christian – Ellie VanLoo/Trey Bosman
  • Meridian – Jovi Jensen/Landen Downey
  • Mount Baker – Gracelyn Zender/Brady Bruland
  • Mount Vernon – Addison Shand Perkins/Carlos Zendejas-Barajas
  • Nooksack Valley – Kate Shintaffer/Corey Olney
  • Oak Harbor – Lilly Grubbs/Connor Cash
  • Sehome – Rebekah Peterson/Coleby Chambers
  • Sedro-Woolley – Olivia Stroud/Sherman Griffin
  • Squalicum – Hannah Bates/Marcus Nixon

Tiger Athletics Person of Distinction – Jen McKay

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NORTHWEST CONFERENCE – PERSON OF DISTINCTION AWARD

The Northwest Conference puts high value on celebrating our students, programs and communities throughout the school year.  From “Leaders in Sportsmanship,” to “Coaches vs. Cancer” and “Only 7 Seconds,” The Northwest Conference consistently goes above and beyond with outreach to every school and their corresponding communities.

Each school in the NWC will have the opportunity to highlight someone from their community as a “Person of Distinction.” This honor will celebrate someone associated with each athletic program and draw a spotlight on the amazing selfless people who help make this conference so special!

Burlington-Edison Athletics

Person of Distinction – Jen McKay

Jen MacKay was born a Tiger and has supported B-EHS athletics her entire life.  Not only was Jen an outstanding athlete in soccer and track at B-EHS and, later, at the collegiate level, she has raised an entire family of Tigers that have played soccer, tennis, and track for Burlington-Edison as well.  She even converted her husband into a diehard Tiger who has been a successful boys and girls soccer coach at the high school for the past 10 years. 

Jen is the consummate supporter of Tiger athletics.  She has chauffeured her children (and their teammates) to innumerable practices and has cheered them on in countless games no matter the heat, rain, and cold they were played in.  Although she seeks no attention or praise, others readily recognize her steadfast presence and selfless support.  For roughly the last decade Jen has been in charge of the booster club for the B-EHS girls soccer team.  In that capacity, she has overseen fundraisers, helped support parents and players that were new to the sport and the high school program, organized “senior night” recognitions, helped with end-of-season banquets, and just generally been a consistent source of positive help for anyone that needs it. 

You will see Jen in the stands and on the sidelines of every game.  What you won’t see is all the time and effort she puts in behind the scenes to help coaches, players, and parents have successful seasons and positive experiences.  Jen juggles a lot of obligations in life: her family, her church, her volunteer work.  But even with a very full plate she always finds time to champion Burlington-Edison athletics.  It has been my pleasure to know Jen and her family over the past decade and she is more than deserving of being recognized as a Person of Distinction for the Northwest Conference.     

Ryan Kuttel

Burlington-Edison Head Girls Soccer Coach

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