Fourteen Northwest academy students were recipients of the Caring Heart Award made possible through funding from a private foundation and the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. Students were selected by their schools for exemplifying the spirit of the Caring Heart — a willingness to serve others. Each student received a plaque, an engraved Bible and a $500 scholarship that may be used toward tuition at an Adventist school or on a short-term mission trip.
Rachael Coon is the spiritual vice president at Auburn Adventist Academy. She is involved with mission trips and worship services and has a passion to share Jesus with others. She is a senior at AAA and plans to attend Walla Walla University to major in education and minor in theology. She wants to become either an English teacher or a campus chaplain. Her parents are Roger and Stephanie Coon.
Jesemynn Cacka is an active leader in the youth group at Cascade Christian Academy. She leads the praise band and carries an overall caring attitude to all those around her. A senior at CCA, she plans to attend Pacific Union College to major in photography.
Andrew Ezpeleta is a senior at Columbia Adventist Academy. He is involved in using his many talents for the Lord, such as preaching, singing, acting, community service and playing instrumental music. His enthusiasm, positive spirituality and generous spirit spreads to those around him. He plans to attend Walla Walla University to major in pre-med. His parents are Elmer Ezpeleta and Tina Batchelder.
Baptized just last year, Joshua Hester is viewed by his classmates and peers as a leader and role model at Gem State Adventist Academy. A junior at GSAA, he has exhibited consistent spiritual and social commitment on campus. He loved serving as a youth pastor last summer at the Caldwell (Idaho) Church, and the Caldwell pastor continues to mentor him. He plans to attend Walla Walla University or Southern Adventist University and major in theology to become a youth pastor.
Clarissa Constantinescu is the pastor for her junior class at Livingstone Adventist Academy. She is active in her church and LAA's outreach group. She has also preached a ShareHim sermon at her church. Her positive attitude lifts all those around her. Her parents are Corneliu and Sandica Constantinescu.
Amber Spoon is both a good student and good example at Milo Adventist Academy. She participated in the North Pacific Union Conference mission trip to Peru and has held leadership positions including peer counselor, dorm tutor, Gap worship leader and basketball captain. She has also led in MAA community service days. A senior, Amber plans to attend Pacific Union College and spend a year as a student missionary during college. Her parents are Raymond and Dawn Spoon.
Katy Meharry assists struggling students at Mt. Ellis Academy by helping them organize and prioritize while teaching them study skills. She has attended several mission trips and has held class offices. She also assists students who are struggling in their class office positions. A senior at MEA, her future plans include attending either Union College or Southwestern Adventist University and major in nursing or marketing. Her parents are Doug and Becky Meharry.
Stephen Baker is an active leader in the Orcas Christian School worship bands, which provide music for weekly chapels and Weeks of Prayer. He also shares his musical ability at multiple churches. He has been on four mission trips to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Kentucky. A senior at OCS, Stephen plans to attend Berkley School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. His parents are Stuart and Gerri Baker.
Chantel Mote has assisted in Hurricane Katrina cleanup efforts; participated in an African mission trip; helped feed the homeless in downtown Portland, Oregon; and recently began a small Bible-study group at Portland Adventist Academy. A senior at PAA, Chantel's future plans include attending Walla Walla University. Her parents are Terrance and Dawn Baltazar.
Anna Nizovtseva is a junior at Puget Sound Adventist Academy. She demonstrates exemplary traits in caring and empathy toward others and has a positive attitude that brightens those around her. She is the first to volunteer at service opportunities and is a leader in her church's youth department. Next year she will go on the Belize mission trip. Her future interests are in journalism, law and music. Her parents are Nikhael and Olga Nizovtseva.
Allison Cool is a senior and student body president at Rogue Valley Adventist Academy. She has participated in mission trips to India, New Orleans, Kauai and Holbrook Indian School in the U.S. She also participated in the secret angel project at RVAA. She plans to attend Southern Adventist University and major in nursing or physicians assistant. Her parents are Steve and Maria Cool.
Connor Brassington is the student campus chaplain at Skagit Adventist Academy and has proved to be a great spiritual leader. He has participated in the Nicaragua Mission trip, as well as helped and initiated several community service projects. A junior at SAA, his future interests include attending Walla Walla University and pursuing a career in computer graphics or a youth pastor.
Andrea Anderson is always willing to share her faith at Upper Columbia Academy. She has been a speaker at many conference churches, and they always express the blessings they receive from hearing her. She's an excellent resident assistant and organizes many activities, including small-group Bible studies in the dorm with adult females to lead out. She regularly volunteers at a local women and children's shelter. A senior at UCA, she plans to attend Southern Adventist University, take a year off to be a missionary in a Spanish-speaking country and major in nursing. Her parents are James and Julie Anderson.
Nancy Patino is a senior at Walla Walla Valley Academy. She is the vice president for the student association and secretary for her class. In the words of her peers, she is "dependable, level-headed, intelligent, responsible, goes beyond the expected, cares about others, friendly, an encourager, a hard worker, defender of others, and easy to work with." She is involved at her church and is known as a spiritual leader at WWVA. She recently participated in the Peru mission trip. She is a hard worker, always going beyond the call of duty, and is a vital and contributing team player. Her future plans are to attend Walla Walla University and major in psychology or social work. Her parents are Manuel and Guadalupe Patino.
Rachael Coon from Auburn Adventist Academy
Rachael Coon from Auburn Adventist Academy.
Jesemynn Cacka from Cascade Christian Academy.
Andrew Ezpeleta from Columbia Adventist Academy.
Joshua Hester from Gem State Adventist Academy.
Clarissa Constantinesca from Livingstone Adventist Academy.
Amber Spoon from Milo Adventist Academy.
Katy Meharry from Mt. Ellis Academy.
Stephen Baker from Orcas Christian School.
Chantel Mote from Portland Adventist Academy.
Anna Nizovtseva from Puget Sound Adventist Academy.
Allison Cool from Rogue Valley Adventist Academy.
Connor Brassington from Skagit Adventist Academy.
Connor Brassington from Skagit Adventist Academy.
Andrea Anderson from Upper Columbia Academy.
Nancy Patino from Walla Walla Valley Academy.
