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KSER Voice of the Community

As a forum for diverse voices and views in Snohomish and Island counties, KSER is proud to sponsor the annual Voice of the Community Award.

The KSER Voice of the Community Award recognizes local voices who speak up about community or cultural concerns with positive results for the residents of Snohomish or Island counties. 

Congratulations to the 2011 Award winners!

  • Dr. David Beyer, Everett Community College
  • Joe McIalwain, Edmonds Center for the Arts

Thank you to our sponsors:

2011 Voice of the Community Award nominees:

  • Lya Badgley, Snohomish Parks Foundation
  • Greater Everett Community Foundation
  • GROW Washington
  • Wendy McClure, Everett Dept. of Neighborhoods
  • Phillip McConnell, Work Opportunities
  • Monroe Swift Watch
  • PoetsWest
  • Bill Reed, Students of Color Conference
  • Carol Schillios, Fabric of Life
  • Vicki Stevens-Karr and FARM Youth Outreach
  • Transition Port Gardner

If you know individuals, groups or businesses that have made a difference, consider nominating them for the KSER Voice of the Community Award. 

Award Criteria

  • Qualified individuals, groups and businesses have raised awareness of important community or cultural issues and made a significant contribution to improving the quality of life in the KSER service area (Snohomish and Island counties).

  • Their contributions can be in the areas of community improvement or cultural enrichment through music, dance, theatre or the arts.

  • Nominee(s) must have been active within the past 12 months.

The winner and all finalists are announced at the annual KSER Voice of the Community Awards Celebration, in November at the Jackson Center at Everett Community College (exact date TBA).

Click here to download a copy of the nomination form or complete the online nomination form.

PAST VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY AWARD RECIPIENTS

2010 Award Winners
CATEGORY: Community Impact

Kim Buike
Kim is a strong voice for health and human services. He volunteers his time on the Board of United Way of Snohomish County and, as the 2010 Campaign Chair, he leads the planning for a $10 million campaign that supports more than 102 nonprofit programs. Kim’s personal mission is to raise not only dollars, but also awareness about our community needs and what we each can do to make a positive impact.

CATEGORY: Business - Community Impact

Tulalip Tribes Charitable Funds
Receiving the award: Mel Sheldon, Chairman of the Tulalip Tribes, 
and Steve Gobin, General Manager of Quil Ceda Village
The Tulalip Tribes give voice to positive impact throughout Snohomish County by supporting more than 225 charitable organizations with millions of dollars over the past 15 years through the Charitable Funds. By working in partnership with others, the Tulalip Tribes Charitable Funds help to create solid, caring and proud communities. 

CATEGORY: Cultural Impact

Frank DeMiero
Frank has lifted his voice to lift up the music community in Snohomish County. For decades, he worked with and mentored students from junior high through college to enhance the quality of music education in our public schools. Frank started the music program at Edmonds Community College and founded the renowned Soundsation vocal jazz group. He now conducts the Sno-King Community Chorale and leads the Seattle Jazz Singers.

2010 Nominees

Peter Ali
Peter creates cultural awareness by volunteering his time to share the beauty of Native flute music with youth and adults throughout the Puget Sound, inspiring pride in heritage and giving voice to a passion for music. 

Terri West Amburgy
As a Delta Neighborhood organizer Terri is committed to strengthening her community by making connections one neighbor at a time. After she began organizing Night Out Against Crime for the Delta neighborhood, attendance jumped from under 100 neighbors to almost 700.

Arlington Arts Council
The Arlington Arts Council gives voice and visibility to its artists through art events and public art and, by doing so, contributes to Arlington’s attractiveness, brings people together for events and projects, and creates a better place to own a business, work, live and play.

JJ Frank 
JJ used his voice to help launch the Y’s Minority Achievers Program, which motivates and supports students of color and immigrant students to achieve higher educational goals. MAP now serves 11 sites and more than 500 students. 

Martha Le Valley
Through her school in Snohomish, Martha has inspired confidence and joy in hundreds of students of all ages by giving voice to dance as a creative medium, a form of therapy or communication, and a means of discovering personal power and emotional freedom.

Jackie Minchew
While singing songs about making a garden grow, Jackie led the effort to turn a fallow piece of land into the Lowell Community Garden. In so doing, he brought the community together to grow food for themselves as well as for the needy, while inspiring others to step up and lead.
Suzanne Moreau
Suzanne is passionate about giving a voice to those who too often cannot speak for themselves. In her role as the Snohomish County Director of the Puget Sound Labor Agency/Operation Shortfall, she creates ongoing awareness of and provides assistance for families and individuals struggling during these tough economic times.

Deanna Dunkin Smith
Deanna spoke up about the need for and joy of life-long learning. As a result, her idea to bring academic opportunities for seniors is now the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which was made possible through a collaborative effort of community partners. 

Eric Vannice and Deverie Wood
By speaking up about an idea to bring music and business to the city of Snohomish, Eric and Deverie spearheaded the Taste of Music Festival in Snohomish two years in a row, giving voice to 50+ artists through their volunteer efforts.

2009 Voice of the Community Award Winner
Winnie Corral

Finalists
Sharon Collman and Bick Hang 
Kristin Kelly 
Marilene Richardson
Teresa Rugg

Nominees
Kinuko Noborikawa
Roy Lesher
Valerie Steel
Sue Strickland
Anna Tink
Cherri Paul
Robert Knight 

2008 Voice of the Community Award Winner
Marilyn Rosenberg 

Nominees
Louise Lindgren
Jan Tilly
Kathy Jacobson
Jody McVittie

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