In front of a sold-out crowd of enthusiastic supporters, the Highline Schools Foundation presented the 2025 Gold Star Awards at the annual Gold Star Bash, held at Wesley Homes in Des Moines on March 20th, 2025. Congratulations to all our 2025 Gold Star Nominees!
In all, seven awards were presented, honoring the outstanding work and deep commitment of teachers, staff, volunteers, and others throughout Highline Public Schools. These individuals live out the district’s commitment to know every student by name, strength and need.
(Award winners photographed from left to right: Jorge Velasquez, Aimee Olson, Garrett Wade, Colleen Brandt-Schluter, HSF Executive Director Fred Swanson, Calvin Allan, Sativah Jones, Karla Fauvet)
2025 Gold Star Winners
The Gold Star Awards are prestigious honors in our school community, recognizing Highline Public Schools best and brightest — celebrating the outstanding Teachers, Volunteers, Alumni, Staff and Administrators throughout the district. The Highline Schools community is asked to submit nominations early in the year, and winners are selected by a committee comprised of Highline Schools Foundation staff and volunteers from our Board of Trustees.
- Outstanding Alumni: Colleen Brandt-Schluter, Evergreen High School
- Outstanding Volunteer: Karla Fauvet, Conectando Con Mi Comunidad, Hazel Valley Elementary
- Outstanding Classified Staff: Jorge Velasquez, Paraeducator, Bow Lake Elementary
- Outstanding Professional Staff: Garrett Wade, Athletic Director, Mount Rainier High School
- Outstanding Administrator: Sativah Jones, Assistant Director, College & Career Readiness
- Outstanding Rookie Teacher: Aimee Olson, 7th Grade Math, Pacific Middle School
- Outstanding Teacher: Calvin Allan, 6th Grade Advisor & Teacher, Highline Virtual Academy
Thank You to our Event Sponsors!
Thank You to our Gold Star Award Category Sponsors
- 2025 Gold Star Nominees
- 2024 Gold Star Winners
- 2024 Gold Star Nominees
- 2023 Gold Star Award Winners