Each year the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) recognizes community members or groups in recognition of their outstanding contributions to education.

Kathy Horton, a long-time volunteer in the Puyallup School District, and Jan Mauk, executive director of Communities In Schools of Puyallup, are this year’s recipients of the WASA Region 111 Community Leadership Award.

WASA presents the award based on criteria in the following categories: benefit to students, leadership, motivation, success, cooperation and coordination with the local district, recognition by others, and history of service.

Both Horton and Mauk were honored and received engraved plaques during a WASA Region 111 meeting in May. They were also recognized last spring at a Puyallup School Board meeting.

WASA also surprised Chrys Sweeting, assistant superintendent of instruction, learning, curriculum, and assessment, with the organization’s Region 111 Student Achievement Leadership Award.

The Student Achievement Leadership Award recognizes WASA members who have provided leadership for the implementation of an innovation that has resulted in measurable growth in student achievement.

In a letter nominating Sweeting for the award, Casey Cox, assistant superintendent of instructional and organizational alignment, described her efforts in initiating, organizing, and implementing district programs to help students succeed.

The nomination letter specifically mentioned her work with two programs initiated last fall — one that re-engages dropouts in school, and another that serves homeschooled students.

“Dr. Sweeting has been unrelenting in equity and achievement work in support of each child,” Cox wrote.

Sweeting served this past school year as the WASA Region 111 president and will serve as its past president in 2014-15. She has worked in Puyallup School District leadership since 2001.

Kathy Horton

Horton served her second year this past school year as the Parent-Teacher Student Association (PTSA) president at Edgemont Junior High. Her daughter, Gabrielle, begins her ninth-grade year there this fall.

She also served two and-a-half years as the Northwood Elementary PTA treasurer and won the school’s Golden Acorn award two years ago in recognition of her dedication and service to children.

Districtwide, the Puyallup resident served as co-chair of the Citizens Committee for Education during the successful 2014 school levy election.

In a letter nominating Horton for the award, Superintendent Tim Yeomans wrote, “Kathy has been instrumental in her efforts to bring our community together.”

Yeomans specifically mentioned Horton’s leadership with the Northwood Elementary and Edgemont Junior High school PTAs, as well as her role with the Citizens Committee for Education.

“Kathy’s willingness to engage with numerous community groups has allowed our district to extend our reach and communication in many positive ways ... Her dedication to the success of each child is outstanding,” Yeomans wrote.

Horton recently started a new role serving on the Fife-Milton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She also serves on the Relay for Life Committee for the Fife, Milton, and Edgewood area.

Jan Mauk

Jan Mauk begins her fourth year this fall as executive director of Communities In Schools of Puyallup (CISP). Mauk assumed the CISP leadership role after having served nearly six years as its program coordinator.

CISP works closely with the Puyallup School District, social service agencies, parents, local faith and service communities, and businesses to connect schools with resources that support a child’s chances for success in school and in life.

Under her leadership, Mauk continues to coordinate the annual March Gladness community service program, Good Samaritan Readers reading-tutoring program, several after-school math and reading programs, and the distribution of community resources, such as school supplies and food, to help students in need.

She also oversees three site coordinators, who administer CISP programs at Sunrise, Karshner, and Stewart elementary schools.

In his letter nominating Mauk for the WASA award, Cox wrote, “Her partnership with local community organizations is highly regarded throughout the region. Jan is the definition of community leadership!”

This is the second time that Mauk has won a leadership award for her work with CISP. In 2007, she was one of seven people in the country to receive the CIS national office’s “Unsung Hero” award.