Regional business and community leaders paused their daily commitments to recognize the strength of the local educational system by honoring 24 exceptional staff members and volunteers from schools and institutions across Clark County.
The recognition took place during the annual Learn Here Hero Awards ceremony, part of the broader Learn Here Project—an initiative that highlights the region’s robust educational offerings and celebrates individuals whose contributions inspire excellence, foster community, and enhance the appeal of Southwest Washington for prospective families and businesses.
Recognition also included a legacy award honoring WSU Vancouver Chancellor Mel Netzhammer. Netzhammer is retiring after serving the WSU system for 13 years and recently announced a gift to WSU Vancouver to support university-community engagement in Southwest Washington. Approximately 140 community and education leaders gathered at the Vancouver Innovation Center to celebrate this year’s honorees.
“We are deeply grateful for those who consistently go above and beyond for our students and schools,” said Chad Sessions of Windermere Northwest Living. “These dedicated individuals are the unsung heroes working tirelessly to prepare our future citizens and workforce.”
The Learn Here Project is a collaborative effort supported by Windermere Northwest Living, the Port of Vancouver USA, and coordinated by the non-profit business leadership organization Identity Clark County.
2025 LEARN HERE HERO HONOREES:
| INSTITUTION | STAFF HONOREE | VOLUNTEER HONOREE |
|---|---|---|
| BATTLE GROUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Daniela Alexakis | Olesea Neaga |
| CAMAS SCHOOL DISTRICT | Shauna Ruse | Jorge Martinez |
| EVERGREEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Jason Castro | Kyle Rogers |
| HOCKINSON SCHOOL DISTRICT | Jennifer Hermann | Becky Kornell |
| LA CENTER SCHOOL DISTRICT | Stacey Roy | Keith Stevens |
| RIDGEFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT | Angie Gaub | Margie Stoner |
| VANCOUVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Chelsea Unger | Maria Gallardo |
| WASHOUGAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | Dana Wilson | Melanie Wilson |
| CLARK COLLEGE | Scot Headley | Nanette Walker |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | Sarah Thulin | Sue Isaacson |
| WASHINGTON SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF | Edelmira Fernandez | Nancy Sinkovitz |
| WSU VANCOUVER | Brenda Alling | David Clausen |
The quality of the region’s educational institutions is frequently cited by prospective residents and employers as a leading reason for choosing to relocate or expand operations in Clark County.
The Learn Here Project reflects a community-wide commitment to recognizing and uplifting those who make a meaningful difference in local education. The project is supported by Windermere Northwest Living and the Port of Vancouver USA and coordinated by the non-profit business leadership organization Identity Clark County. For more information, please visit https://www.discoverclark.org/learn/.