The First Hawks Prairie Heroes Awards

HAWK'S PRAIRIE HEROES TO RECEIVE AWARD AT HAWK'S PRAIRIE ROTARY MEETING JUNE 25TH, 2004
LISTED BELOW ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF THE FIRST ANNUAL HAWK'S PRAIRIE HERO AWARDS!

Krystal Karpiak
Krystal fits the category of hero for her longtime support of her mother who battles a debilitating condition. Within her family, Krystal often plays the role of guardian or caretaker for her mother. Krystal is also a stalwart of support for her father. Through all the medical trials and separations, Krystal has been an outstanding student at River Ridge High School. Krystal graduated with a 3.5 grade point average and participated in both cheerleading and student government. She leaves June 11 for South Carolina to begin her career in the Marines.
John Gaetz
John is a hero for a variety of reasons. First, John has overcome a learning disability to become our top student in the Power and Energy Technology program. Students in this program design, build and operate alternative fuel machines. Through his work in this program, John will enter South Puget Sound Community College ahead on credits for their Welding program. Earlier in his high school career, John was not on schedule to graduate with his class due to his learning disability and some poor choices. His strength of character led him to refocus on school, to connect with a program that tapped into his skills, and to become a scholarship recipient at graduation.
Jessica Von Wendel
 Jessica Von Wendel is an outstanding River Ridge student who has overcome serious financial hardships. Jessica's mother, as the family's sole source of income, is the caretaker for another family member. As such, Jessica's family lives at a standard significantly below the poverty level. Through her own initiative, Jessica has amassed a powerful high school resume. She is in the top ten of her class, taking a highly rigorous schedule. Knowing she would have to pay her own way to college, Jessica was River Ridge's most active student in scholarship applications. She is a hero in that she has earned enough scholarship money to allow her to attend Western Washington University in the fall. Jessica has accomplished these tasks on her own as her family is unable to support her continuing education.