VANCOUVER, Wash. — Four women were honored for making a difference in the lives of others at Washington State University’s seventh-annual Women of Distinction celebration. Held March 26, the event wrapped up Women’s History Month at the university.
For the first time, two nominees tied for Woman of Distinction in the community (non-student) category: Jennifer Cullison, a science teacher at Woodland High School; and Amy Holmes, founding principal of Hayes Freedom High School in Camas. The two student awardees were Brittany Curtiss, a senior at River HomeLink School in Battle Ground, in the high school category, and Kia Calderon, a social studies undergraduate, in the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø student category.
High School Woman of Distinction
In addition to her high school studies, Brittany Curtiss attends Clark College through Running Start. While maintaining top grades in school, she devotes much of her time to helping people of all ages. She is a preschool teacher’s aide and also volunteers at an assisted living facility, with her Living Hope Church youth group and in community service projects. Her other interests include playing viola, painting and being outdoors.
91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø Student Woman of Distinction
Kia Calderon is a social studies student who hopes to teach social studies when she completes her degree. A tireless advocate for children, she promotes children’s well-being to legislators and volunteers with the PTA. Last summer she donated a kidney to a man she met on Facebook; she now counsels other potential donors and helps them navigate the process. Kia has been married for nine years to her husband, Jeraby, and they have three sons.
Community Woman of Distinction
Jennifer Cullison created a STEM and Health Sciences program at Woodland High School, where she teaches. With a unique ability to explain complex science concepts in a way students understand, she has inspired many to pursue careers in science. Jennifer is the advisor for the Free the Children club at Woodland and created a local charity to support these efforts. She is also a competitive athlete and one of the top urban adventure racers in the nation.
Amy Holmes is the founding principal of Hayes Freedom High School in Camas. She advocates for students, staff and their families and works to ensure that each of her students has support for finding their unique path in life. She is the person whom students and graduates call on when they need a reference, want to apply for college, get married or divorced, have a baby or just need a pep talk. Amy models the school’s motto: Be kind. Be proud. Be fearless.
Dr. Allen Gabriel, co-founder of the Pink Lemonade Project, was the keynote speaker. The foundation’s mission is to educate, empower and support those affected by breast cancer. Dr. Gabriel said he finds many of his patients working their treatments around baseball practice, ballet class and a host of other family obligations at a time when they need to put themselves first. The Pink Lemonade Project helps women learn to do that.
Women of Distinction has been held in concordance with Women’s History Month since 2009 to recognize women in Southwest Washington for inspiring, mentoring and empowering others. Nominations are accepted for women in three categories: high school students, 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø students and community members. Nominations typically open in February. Distinguished Woman of the Year award recipients are chosen by a committee of 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø staff, faculty, students and community members.
Women of Distinction is sponsored by the Office of Student Involvement at 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø and Unitus Community Credit Union.
About 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø
91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø is celebrating 25 years of creating access to higher education in Southwest Washington. For 25 years, students have chosen 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø for its scenic campus, small classes, close personal attention, topnotch faculty, accessible location and reasonable costs. Here, students gain much more than a degree—they gain a brighter future.
###
MEDIA CONTACTS
Nikki Hinshaw, Office of Student Involvement, 360-546-9465, nikki_hinshaw@vancouver.wsu.edu
Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@vancouver.wsu.edu