Carla Vendeland Community Service Award

Carla Vendeland Community Service Award

Newport High School Parent, Carla Vendeland worked endlessly to fight world hunger, staying up late researching and writing letters in tireless campaigns against world hunger and for education. As part of her effort to encourage students to volunteer, she created the PTSA Knight Valor Program in 1989, recognizing Newport Students who make a difference in their community through their extraordinary volunteer efforts.

Mrs. Vendeland passed away in 1994 of cancer at the age of 52, and in her memory and in honor of her dedication to our community, the Carla B. Vendeland Community Service Award was established in 1996. The award is administered by the Bellevue Schools Foundation. To qualify for the award, students need to be a graduating senior and need to have earned the PTSA Knight Valor Award.


Newport High School Winners: 2023 - 2024

Ava Chen

Ava is an active member of her community. She has served as class office and ASB Vice President since freshman year, and was Varsity captain of the Newport Gymnastics and Girl's Golf team. She is active outside of school serving as 3 year Co-President of Bellevue LifeSpring Youth Council. Through the Bellevue LifeSpring Youth Council, her leadership has raised over $45,000 through various fundraisers including an annual 5K run at Marymoor Park. Bellevue LifeSpring's century-long mission has been to provide food, clothing, and emergency assistance to low-income families. This summer, Ava plans to be with friends, work, and travel. She will be attending Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York in the fall as a biochemistry major.

Alvin Sung

My name is Alvin Sung and I plan to study artificial intelligence at Carnegie Mellon University. I moved to the states in 6th grade from Taiwan, and I enjoy listening to music, hanging out with friends, and staying active. I also spend a lot of time volunteering at a tutoring center, where I focus on teaching Math and English to students with learning disabilities. Recognizing the lack of resources available to these students, I strive to create the most effective learning environment tailored to their unique needs. Additionally, I volunteer to support transfer students at Newport, collaborating with staff to host college fairs and other events to help these students smoothly adapt to their new community. These experiences have shaped my passion, and I am excited to continue making a positive impact through my studies.

2022-2023

Ammana Karmali and Arohan Agate

2021 - 2022

Ethan Bai and Laren Chen

2020 - 2021

Jada Yamada and Kyle Pun

2019 - 2020

Alex Jabbour and Alicen (Chaewon) Han

2018 - 2019

Ethan Chaipatanapong and Yuka Kozakai

2017 - 2018

Garrick Luo & Neda Ali

2016 - 2017

Sharon Zhang & Matthew McCord

2015 - 2016

Dmytro Banin & Nina Reckinger

“Learning is not the product of teaching. Learning is the product of the activity of learners.”

-John Holt