The Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) Region 108 honored both Ferndale High School senior Kwabena Ledbetter and the Ferndale School District’s volunteer Bond Oversight Committee during their annual awards ceremony Friday May 24. 

Ledbetter received the WASA Student Leadership Award, which honors a student leader who played a significant leadership role in initiatives or programs that promote inclusivity, access, and/or equity in their school and community. Ledbetter earned the award through his passionate leadership efforts, both within Ferndale High School and as a student advisory member of the Ferndale School Board. Since his appointment to the Board in 2022, he has constantly championed student voice and advocated for teens from underrepresented groups.  

Kwabena has also been an active member of student leadership at Ferndale High School, serving as the ASB Publicity Director for two years. This November, Kwabena received the honor of being elected by his peers as the first-ever President of the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) Student Board Representatives Network. This is a group of school board student representatives across Washington that meet monthly to discuss K-12 education and advocacy. 

The Bond Oversight Committee received the WASA Community Leadership Award, presented to community members or groups for their outstanding contributions to education. Recipients cannot be members of WASA. The all-volunteer Bond Oversight Committee earned the award by exhibiting exemplary leadership, motivation, and dedication in overseeing the implementation of the 2019 voter-approved bond project. 

Forming in April 2019, the committee demonstrated unwavering commitment to our district’s bond-funded capital projects by convening monthly meetings to ensure the smooth progression of the bond project. Their emphasis on transparency and accountability has been evident through quarterly presentations to the school board and community, providing updates on project milestones and expenditures. They acted as a liaison to the community, ensuring transparency and consistent communication to stakeholders.  

In Ferndale, we have a community motto of “It’s a Matter of Pride.” This group has not only lived up to it, but through their work, has reignited that pride in our community with the new learning and gathering space for all. 

Current and past members of the Bond Oversight Committee include: 

Bond Oversight Committee	Title
Bullard, Corey	Past BOC Member
Byers, Tristen	BOC Member
Contezac, Michael	BOC Member - Alternate
Cornelsen, Dan	BOC Member
Cornelsen, Riley	BOC Member/Chair
Harting, Mark	BOC Member
Lupo, Joe	BOC Member
Lynch, Brian	BOC Member
McMillan, Sandi	BOC Member
Milton, Anya	Past BOC Member/Chair
Raymond, Cathy	Past BOC Member
Rustad, Adam	Past BOC Member
Smith, Bo	Past BOC Member
Strissel, Rick	BOC Member - Alternate
Kimball, Ryan	Past BOC Member