SKWay Awards June 2025
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June 2025 SKWay Awards - Thank you for living the SKWay
Elizabeth Gaskell
Teacher Elizabeth Gaskell is an exemplar of bold, innovative teaching for her “think big” planning and execution of Surgery Day —an unforgettable, hands-on learning adventure for all 2nd graders at Manchester Elementary. Decked out in scrubs, students became doctors: identifying digestive organs, analyzing x-rays, diagnosing conditions, and using math to calculate meds. 100% engaged, joyful, and learning deeply—this is creativity, rigor, and student-centered excellence in action!
THINK BIG
Award Winner: Elizabeth Gaskell, Manchester Elementary
Nominated by: Tom Edwards
Suzette Fernandez
Suzette exemplifies “Think Big.” She embraces new and innovative ideas and pushes others to think outside the box. As a thought partner, she poses insightful questions and offers creative, inspiring solutions. Suzette tackles challenges head-on, stays solutions-oriented, and empowers colleagues to do the same. SK students have all benefited from her tireless efforts to support the SK Way through her collaborative spirit, drive for improvement, and steadfast determination.
THINK BIG
Award Winner: Suzette Fernandez, Highly Capable Coordinator
Nominated by: Kelsey Patterson
Liz Serrato-Lopez
Liz embodies the SK Way value of Loving People through her unwavering commitment to multilingual families. She supports home visits, translates at medical appointments, and helps families understand their rights and systems. Liz empowers others, helps them feel seen, heard, and valued, and creates a strong sense of belonging. Her advocacy and compassion reflect the very best of the SK Way.
LOVE PEOPLE
Award Winner: Liz Serrato-Lopez, Paraeducator at Sunnyslope
Nominated by: Aimee Sanford
Sean Jeu
Sean Jeu has been an active member of our District's Community Engagement Board for the past two years. Not only has he attended the most meetings, but he has gone above and beyond in making connections with the students and families. He employs students, mentors students, and creatively supports the financial needs and goals of families. He honors the humanity in each individual and strives to help students and parents feel seen and heard. He is also available in a crisis. He keeps hope alive!
LOVE PEOPLE
Award Winner: Sean Jeu, Sain Vincent de Paul
Nominated by: Keely Sawyer
Roslyn Gonia
Roslyn’s been dreaming big—and doing the work to back it up. She’s rallied a team, gathered student input, priced everything from nets to signage, and pulled in parents, facilities, and PlayWorks. She’s the engine behind our playground vision! Out at recess, she builds strong relationships, helps kids solve problems, and keeps great notes. She’s thoughtful, growth-minded, and all in on making our playground better for everyone.
THINK BIG
Award Winner: Roslyn Gonia, Playground Attendant at Sunnyslope
Nominated by: Jamie Del Palacio
Marcus Logue
Many of you may know Marcus as a dean of South Kitsap High School. I know Marcus as the mayor of South Kitsap High School. There isn't a student Marcus doesn't know everything about; their school life, their family life. Heck, I think he probably knows their shoe size. Marcus knows his purpose and that is to build strong connections. He can hold a master class on how to build connections with students and families. SKHS is lucky to have him. I'm lucky to call him my friend.
KNOW YOUR PURPOSE
Award Winner: Marcus Logue, Dean at South Kitsap High School
Nominated by: Michelle McGuirk
Richelle Sherwood
Roslyn’s been dreaming big—and doing the work to back it up. She’s rallied a team, gathered student input, priced everything from nets to signage, and pulled in parents, facilities, and PlayWorks. She’s the engine behind our playground vision! Out at recess, she builds strong relationships, helps kids solve problems, and keeps great notes. She’s thoughtful, growth-minded, and all in on making our playground better for everyone.
LOVE PEOPLE
Award Winner: Richelle Sherwood, Office Coordinator at Cedar Heights Middle School
Nominated by: Andrew Cain
Eric Worden & Kim Shaw
When graduation ceremonies were disrupted during the pandemic, Eric and Kim stepped forward with a bold idea: What if we brought the celebration to the streets- uniting the entire community in support of seniors. What began as a creative response to a crisis has become a cherished tradition. The SK Community Grad Parade honors grads from South Kitsap, Discovery, and Explorer with a celebration where students feel seen, valued, and deeply supported by our community. The planning, coordination, and logistics to pull off an event of this scale year after year is a huge undertaking and we thank Eric and Kim for thinking big and loving people. Their leadership reflects the heart of the SK Way!
LOVE PEOPLE & THINK BIG
Award Winner: Eric Worden & Kim Shaw, Organizers of the SK Community Grad Parade
Nominated by: Amy Miller
We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels they belong and are supported in becoming their best selves. We truly understand the value of a positive, cohesive culture that brings out the best in each of us. Our actions, behaviors, and interactions are all guided by the core values of the SK Way.
The SK Way, is our unique identity and the story of the South Kitsap School District. Each month, we acknowledge and celebrate staff members, students, volunteers, and community members who exemplify our core values.
If you catch a district employee, student, volunteer, or community member exhibiting one of our core values we want to hear about it!
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