Every day in Highline, people are making a difference for our students—and once a year, we get to shine a spotlight on a few of them.
The 2025 Gold Star Awards, presented by the Highline Schools Foundation, honor educators, staff, volunteers, and alumni who live their commitment to know every student by name, strength and need.
This year’s winners were chosen from more than 140 nominations—and their stories remind us what’s possible when passion meets purpose.
- Outstanding Teacher: Calvin Allan, 6th Grade Advisor & Teacher at Highline Virtual Academy
- Outstanding Rookie Teacher: Aimee Olson, 7th Grade Math Teacher at Pacific Middle School
- Outstanding Administrator: Sativah Jones, Assistant Director of College & Career Readiness
- Outstanding Professional Staff: Garrett Wade, Athletic Director at Mount Rainier High School
- Outstanding Classified Staff: Jorge Velasquez, Paraeducator at Bow Lake Elementary
- Outstanding Volunteer: Karla Fauvet, Conectando Con Mi Comunidad at Hazel Valley Elementary
- Outstanding Alumni: Colleen Brandt-Schluter, Evergreen High School Class of 1976
"We had an incredible 144 students, parents, colleagues and community members submit nominees this year for Gold Stars, and we're so honored to have the opportunity to celebrate so many of Highline's outstanding educators, volunteers, and alumni," said Fred Swanson, Executive Director of Highline Schools Foundation.
Read more about these seven Gold Stars.
Outstanding Teacher
Calvin Allan, 6th Grade Advisor & Teacher at Highline Virtual Academy
Calvin Allan lives the Highline promise and takes it to the next level. If you walk the halls of HVA you will hear Calvin teaching, and it is a privilege to hear him interact with his students. Being in a virtual school is tough enough but you wouldn’t know it if you were in Calvin’s classroom. Calvin wants to see every student go out into the world and conquer it. He is their biggest advocate and will take time out of his day to help students thrive. Calvin is an innovative educator with a strong character and an even bigger heart.
Outstanding Rookie Teacher
Aimee Olson, 7th Grade Math at Pacific Middle School
Aimee Olson consistently prioritizes her students’ needs, creating a supportive and empowering environment where they can grow into the people they are meant to be. Her commitment to her students goes beyond academics; she invests in their overall success and well-being, always finding ways to push them forward while making them feel valued and capable. Aimee builds strong connections by embracing student culture, even learning TikTok dances to make her classroom more fun and relatable. This cultural awareness makes her an even more effective and well-loved educator.
Outstanding Administrator
Sativah Jones, Assistant Director of College & Career Readiness
Sativah Jones is a state-wide leader in college and career readiness. For the last eight years as assistant director, she has been deeply connected with and committed to the Highline Promise. Sativah centers equity to ensure all the students in Highline have a robust and meaningful high school and beyond planning opportunity, and to ensure that students have the personalized resources they need to graduate ready for the future they choose. She bridges research, policy and practice. Sativah inspires others to do their best work in service of our students.
Outstanding Professional Staff
Garrett Wade, Athletic Director at Mount Rainier High School
Garrett Wade has strengthened school pride and built lasting connections between student-athletes and the community. His commitment to engaging with athletes from diverse backgrounds further bridges gaps, making all students feel valued and supported. Garrett’s commitment to being a visible, inclusive, hands-on leader is a cornerstone of his success, and it is clear that his athletes and coaches feel valued and supported. Garrett has fostered community outreach by encouraging coaches and athletes to engage with local elementary schools. This initiative has strengthened the connection between Mount Rainier High School and its community, increasing fan and family support.
Outstanding Classified Staff
Jorge Velasquez, Paraeducator at Bow Lake Elementary
Jorge Velasquez’s compassion, hard work, and deep commitment to every student shine through in everything he does. He sees potential in each child and goes above and beyond to help them succeed, creating an environment where students feel safe, valued, and capable. He is proactive, dependable, and deeply compassionate. Students love him, and families do too. It’s not unusual to hear parents say, “You’re Teacher Jorge? My child talks about you all the time!” He makes school a place where kids feel safe to be themselves. He affirms neurodiversity, celebrates differences, and makes school a place where kids know they belong.
Outstanding Volunteer
Karla Fauvet, Conectando Con Mi Comunidad at Hazel Valley Elementary
Karla Fauvet is the heart of the Spanish-speaking community at Hazel Valley. She saw a need, created a plan, and launched Conectando Con Mi Comunidad—a group that now plays a vital role in supporting families and school events. Her leadership has strengthened connections between families, the PTA, and the school. Karla is a small pebble creating a big ripple.
Outstanding Alumni
Colleen Brandt-Schluter from Evergreen High School Class of 1976
Colleen Brandt-Schluter is a proud graduate of Hazel Valley Elementary, Cascade Middle School and Evergreen High School who has spent her career giving back to the community. As a career specialist at Tyee High School and a dedicated support for Chinook Middle School, Colleen guided students through important decisions. As the Human Services Manager for both the City of SeaTac and the City of Burien, Colleen has worked to build and strengthen the safety nets for our most vulnerable populations. Her leadership has been instrumental in creating programs that uplift individuals and families in the communities she serves.
Gold Star Breakfast
Join the Highline Schools Foundation in celebrating the winners at the Gold Star Breakfast on Thursday, May 1 at 7:30 a.m. at the Cedarbrook Lodge in SeaTac.