Student receiving a Kalammy Award and shaking hands with KHS Principal Heidi Bunker

The Kalama High School Auditorium was filled with cheers and smiles last Friday (April 25), as middle and high school students and staff gathered for the 3rd Annual Kalammy Awards.

The Kalammys recognize students in grades 6-12 who go above and beyond to contribute to a safe, positive, and supportive school environment. From showing kindness and respect, to helping others and embracing growth, the awards highlight the character traits that help students thrive – both inside and outside the classroom.

“By shining a spotlight on kindness, respect, and community spirit, we hope the Kalammy Awards inspire all students and staff to continue building and sustaining a positive school environment for years to come,” said Terra Pfeiffer, Dean of Students. 

In the weeks leading up to the awards, hundreds of nominations poured in from both students and staff members, underscoring the enthusiasm for the event.

Among those recognized during the assembly were students who demonstrated exceptional growth in their academic or personal endeavors, individuals who consistently exhibited a positive spirit, and those who consistently go the extra mile to support their peers and staff members.

Here are the 2025 Kalammy Award finalists, with the award recipient(s) listed in bold text:

Makes You Smile Award

Kalama Middle School:

Tate Bokma
Lance Christensen
Drecynn Corona
Tenley Hale
Joseph Kogon
Nash Logue

Kalama High School:

Kate Chilcote
Autumn Kramer-Rodriguez
Abigail Nesbitt
Cutter Schmidt

Always Prepared Award

Kalama Middle School:

Kennedy Burpee
Henry Jackson
Heidi Niewerth
Emma Nylund

Kalama High School:

Sophia Carter
Chloe Long Kisto
Anna Paschke
Olivia Presseisen
HayleeAnn Weber

Caring, Warm-Hearted, Attentive and Considerate Award

Kalama Middle School:

Sylvia Corona
Jaxson Layton
Stella Sigfridson
Avery Staup
Porter Taylor

Kalama High School:

Mersadiez Crandall
Jacquelyn Handley
Laird Holmstrom
Juan Lomeli

Most Committed Award

Kalama Middle School:

Tate Bokma
Hayden Brady
Abby Crawford
Avery Staup
Kell Wisen

Kalama High School:

Sienna DiCristina
Shade Garrido
Luke Orem

Shows Respect Award

Kalama Middle School:

Ian Harbell
Evan Mazza
Levi Moon
Thomas Toedtemeier
Sky Vesely

Kalama High School:

Shade Garrido
Kevin Lardizabal-Orea
Hudson Moon
Luke Orem
Hannah Phillips
Ada Schlangen

Helpful to Staff and Peers Award

Kalama Middle School:

Harper Atkins
Esteban Chavez-Mendez
Abby Crawford
Lilly Dickson
Saren Presseisen

Kalama High School:

Kevin Avila Arellano
Jimmy Berg
Alex Chao
Michael Engle
Jason Ostrom

Hard Worker Award

Kalama Middle School:

Ava Bowman
Maddie Lougheed
Kate Mastne
Levi Moon

Kalama High School:

Elizabeth Cameron
Hunter Cuzzort
Tesla Dobson
Hannah Phillips

Growth Award

Kalama Middle School:

Levi Chilcote
Minah Mead
Malin Sibaja
Asher Smith

Kalama High School:

Domanick Lokey
Emily Mills
Sergio Ozuna-Cortez
Cutter Schmidt
Hayden Smith

Always Gets Things Done Award

Kalama Middle School:

Timmy Bailey
Nita Berg
Austin Smith
Melanie Storedahl
Tatum Wuollet

Luana Yeaman

Kalama High School:

Elizabeth Cameron
Sienna DiCristina
Aubree Hutchinson
Jack Johnston
Alexandra “Amy” Lardizabal-Orea
Ada Schlangen

Cheerfully Adaptable Award

Kalama Middle School:

Bailyn Bishop
Dalton DePriest
Taisynn Johnson
Flynn Moon
Klara Paso

Kalama High School:

Alex Chao
Shade Garrido
Penelope Griggs
Kevin Lardizabal-Orea

Kalama Spirit Award

Kalama Middle School:

Easton Atkins
Rayleigh Bowers
Gavin McKenzie
Garrett Riggins
Lillian Rutman

Kalama High School:

Jimmy Berg
Wyatt Parkhill
Ada Schlangen
Drew Schlangen

Positive Community Member Award

Kalama Middle School:

Ian Harbell
Caden Lutgen
Grace Portwood
Cayla Rosenstiel
Luana Yeaman

Kalama High School:

Aiden Clark
Mersadiez Crandall
Michael Engle
Olivia Presseisen
Ada Schlangen

Goes Above and Beyond Award

Kalama Middle School:

Stella Bitton
Joseph Kogon
Kaylee Porter
Layton Satcher
Emma Stewart

Kalama High School:

Rylie Bromley
Sienna DiCristina
Nevaeh Olinger
Olivia Presseisen
Jason Sanders

Trustworthy Award

Kalama Middle School:

Elsie Christensen
Brighton Holmstrom
Max Moore
Savannah Stewart
Porter Taylor

Kalama High School:

Hudson Moon
Anna Paschke
Jessalyn Pittman
Rylan Podelco
Marley Scieneaux

Calmer of Storms Award

Kalama Middle School:

Elijah Cruise
Jaden Bailey
Nita Berg
Pasileigh Reeves

Kalama High School:

Rylie Bromley
Loretta Harrington
Wyatt Parkhill
Jason Sanders

Shows Kindness to Others Award

Kalama Middle School:

Tenley Hale
Kate Mastne
Grace Portwood
Stella Sigfridson
Owen Thomas

Kalama High School:

Hannah Buck
Aubrey Doerty
Shade Garrido
Makenna Lutgen
Charlie Maxon

Ripple Effect Award

Kalama Middle School:

Drecynn Corona
Emma Dunsmoor
Tenley Hale

Kalama High School:

Jimmy Berg
Bryton Brigner
Michael Engle
Wyatt Parkhill

Chinooks Show Up Award

Kalama Middle School:

Caroline Benjamin
Stella Bitton
Arlo Harrington
Christian Stromberg
Thomas Toedtemeier

Kalama High School:

Sylis Fobbs
Jerry Kogon
Wyatt Parkhill
Drew Schlangen

Congratulations to all of the finalists and award recipients!

Related: Watch the 2025 Kalammy Awards ceremony on YouTube