2017 Community Citizens

Linda Brown

Linda Brown

Linda is a leader in education, volunteering for more than 30 years as a parent volunteer and twelve years on the Lake Oswego School Board. She has served on the State Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, Oregon School Boards Association Board of Directors, Clackamas ESD Board of Directors, Beaverton Arts and Communications School, Lake Oswego Assets Coalition Board, Common Core Standards Stewardship team, Stand for Children Task Force, and Lake Oswego Rotary's Youth Services and Peace Builders Committees. As an active Rotarian, she leads the effort in distributing dictionaries to elementary students, installs peace poles throughout the community, and is the “go-to" volunteer for Lakewood Center for the Arts working tirelessly behind the scenes and in a spokesperson role to promote the arts. “I think my time spent with kids either as a classroom volunteer, listening to them when judging various competitions or interviewing kids for scholarships has been the most inspiring," Linda says.

Deanne Crone Knipple

Deanne Crone Knipple

Deanne is an education consultant and a mother of four, another full-time job. Yet, she finds time to volunteer tirelessly for the community and schools. She was been instrumental in starting the Makerspace at Oak Creek Elementary which is all about trusting the inherent curiosity and creativity of children. It encourages critical thinking and implies trust and high expectations of teachers and students. The kinds of activities appropriate to the Makerspace build on the idea that play is children's work and has the potential to solve problems. "Children are naturally curious, imaginative, and inventive. I love watching their excitement as they explore and learn," Deanne says.

Anja Bump

Anja Bump

Anja was also instrumental in starting the Makerspace. She has given countless hours and convinced others to do the same. She has recruited, coordinated and trained many other volunteers tirelessly. Beyond her time at Oak Creek Elementary, she is actively involved in FEMA disaster preparedness, PTA meetings, and sits on the Oak Creek School Advisory Council. Her experience and volunteerism is far-reaching for all of the 475 students at Oak  Creek as well as many members of the community. She is passionate about young children having access to high level science and math instruction. When she heard about the SASEE nomination, Anja says she felt "incredible joy to be recognized by the community we serve.”

Piper Park

Piper Park

Piper’s passion for what she does starts at home. She is the mother of a dyslexic son and has fought hard for his education all the way through his high school graduation. She wanted more children to reach their full potential and so she started Park Academy in 2005 in Lake Oswego. Its mission is to empower students with diverse learning challenges to reach their highest individual potential, while excelling academically and becoming responsible citizens and community leaders. As the only independent, non-profit and state accredited grade school for students with language-related learning differences, primarily dyslexia, students get a “hand up, not a handout.” Piper truly helps change the trajectory of students' lives by raising their intellectual understanding to a higher standard, allowing them to be successful after graduation in either post-secondary school or in the workforce. "It's an honor to be recognized," she says.

Cay Borduin

Cay Borduin

For the past six years, Cay has designed, sewed and repurposed costumes for the Lakeridge High School theater department. She has been an avid supporter and participant in the community since she moved to Lake Oswego 20 years ago. At Hallinan Elementary, she tutored, painted murals, and worked tirelessly for fundraisers and parent groups. She has been active in the Lake Oswego School Foundation, Pacer Parent Drama Support Group, her church, the Project HOPE kitchen, and a web forum for social justice called Democracy Talking. Cay’s demeanor and tireless work ethic inspires parents and students alike to be optimistic, respectful, energetic, and follow-through on their commitments. Her heart, soul, enthusiasm, passion, and commitment are one of a kind. She says she loves what she does and that the honor was not expected. "I was flabbergasted," she said. “I’m excited that the new awards will result in scholarships for children.”

Sandra Miller

Sandra Miller

Sandra is the founder and artistic director of the Oregon Children's Choir and Youth Chorale. The non-profit organization, founded in 1994, offers local children, grades 1-12, the opportunity and skills to learn and perform choral music. Additionally, she is a leader in the Adult Choir and a Presbyterian church choir. Through these organizations, she helps children and young adults how to best utilize their talents, uniformity, and making lifelong friends. She helps people in any situation possible, no matter what. She builds up her students and supports them in any situation she can. She inspires people to believe that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. She stated that she is "overwhelmed" by being a SASEE nominee.

“Educational Excellence Awards”