Ferndale holds community engagement event
Ferndale athletes compete in track championships
Public Works event harbors family atmosphere. — A2
Jones & Perez compete in 400-meter and javelin competitions. — Sports, B1
JUNE 5, 2024
SINCE 1885
FERNDALE, WASHINGTON • $1.50
Kwabena Ledbetter wins student leadership award Award given to students who exhibit exceptional leadership eff ts involvement in their community By Luke Seymour Staff Reporter
FERNDALE — On
May 24, the Washington Association of School Administrators awarded Ferndale senior Kwabena Ledbetter with a student leadership award during its annual awards ceremony. Originally formed in 2019, WASA is an organization of professional administrators “committed to leadership,” and that “WASA’s beliefs are anchored in leadership, trust, and advocacy. WASA is “first and foremost, about leadership for equity and excellence for all students,” according to a
School districts celebrate community, student leadership
mission statement posted to their website. Their website also defines the student leadership award as a symbol that “recognizes student leaders who have created or played a significant leadership role in initiatives or programs that promote inclusivity, access, equity, or social justice in their school and community.” According to a Ferndale School District press release, Ledbetter earned the award through his “passionate leadership efforts, both within Ferndale High
School and as a student advisory member of the Ferndale School Board. Since his appointment to the Board in 2022, he has consistently championed student voice and advocated for teens from underrepresented groups.” Ledbetter’s achievements at Ferndale High School include two years as publicity director for the Associated Student Body, his tenure as one of the two student representatives on the Ferndale School See Ledbetter on A7
Kwabena Ledbetter, a senior at Ferndale High School received a student leadership award from the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA). (Luke Seymour/Ferndale Record)
Ferndale’s high school band, middle school bands win big at Farmers Day Parade
By Racquel Muncy For the Record
WHATCOM — School districts in region 8 of the Washington Association of School Administrators recently celebrated student and community leaders who are making their districts a better place during the annual Honorary Awards Ceremony at the Skagit Golf and Country Club. Awards were given for individuals and groups within the Ferndale, Lynden, Meridian, Nooksack Valley and Blaine school districts in two categories: community and student leadership. Ferndale School District nominated the bond oversight committee for the community leadership award and Kwabena Ledbetter for the student leadership award. According to incoming Northwest Educational Service District 189 Superintendent Ishmael Vivanco who presented the awards, the committee has been beneficial to the students and Ferndale community as it served a liaison-like role between the district and community. This allowed higher levels of communication, transparency and valuable expertise. Ledbetter, a senior at Ferndale High School, was nominated because of his fierce advocacy for inclusivity and belonging, Vivanco said. He is ASB publicity director and was elected as the first-ever president of the Washington State School Directors Association Student Board Representatives Network. “Kwabena’s courage and commitment make him a deserving candidate for this award,” Vivanco said. Lynden School District acknowledged Kristie Kornelis of the Lynden Noon Kiwanis as a community leader. According to Vivanco, the work of Kornelis has been a part of work that has “resulted in incredible science, technology, engineering, art and math opportunities for Lynden students.” This has been done through the Kiwanis Teacher Grant Program, free science exploration kits distributed through the library system, sponsored book events and many other activities. Meridian School District had one community leadership award and two student leaders. Paul Kratzig, long-time president of the Meridian Public Schools Foundation won the award for community leadership. According to Vivanco the foundation was formed in 1997 to receive gifts and donations from the community who wanted to invest in the future of the school district. To date, the foundation manages 15 endowments, offers annual scholarships and is building a series of new endowments. Student leadership awards went to Morgan Adams and Kennedy Brzozowski, both of whom are school board representatives. “Knowing student voice was a strong emphasis, both Morgan and Kennedy have been proactive in See Leadership on A2
Ferndale School District’s band, made up of students from Ferndale High School, as well as Vista and Horizon middle schools, won best school band at the annual Farmers Day Parade in Lynden. More photos of Ferndale’s bands at the June 1 parade are on page A6. (Luke Seymour/Ferndale Record)
Children’s Initiative Levy could be repealed County Auditor’s ce st sift through et t n signatures By Cal Bratt For the Tribune
County Auditor Stacy Henthorn, right, and chief deputy Amy Grasher receive a box full of signed tax repeal petitions on Monday. (Cal Bratt for the Tribune)
Weather
22 pages • Volume LIII • Number 15
Thursday 47°/68° Friday 53°/73° Saturday 53°/72° Sunday 51°/68°
Calendar • A3 Classifieds • B4 Forum • A4
Graduation • Insert Obituaries • A5 Legal Notices • B4 Puzzles • B5 News • A2 Sports • B1
WHATCOM — A box full of tax repeal petitions was turned in to the County Auditor’s Office on Monday, and workers there immediately began the signature verification process. Out of the 9,620 voter signatures submitted, sponsors are confident
at least two-thirds will be found valid, enough to get the repeal question on the Nov. 5 general election ballot. The target is the county Children’s Initiative Levy that passed two years ago by just 20 votes out of more than 108,000 votes cast. The levy added a 1 9 - c e n t s - p e r- $ 1 , 0 0 0 property tax to be spent on early-learning programs, childcare and support for homeless or vulnerable children. Its term is 10 years. Spokesperson Ashley Butenschoen said that a sense of high taxes in Whatcom County is what drove the two See Levy on A7
Exclusive online content: News throughout the week www.ferndalerecord.com