McMaster Heritage & Emerging Leader Awards

The Kenmore Heritage Society honors local citizens who through selfless giving of time and talent have had a significant positive influence on the Kenmore community.

The award bears the name of John McMaster, an early businessman and resident who named the area Kenmore in 1901.

Two awards are presented each year:

  • Since 2001, the McMaster Heritage Award has recognized an outstanding adult nominee.
  • Since 2021, the McMaster Emerging Leader Award has recognized a young adult, age 16 to 23.

The Kenmore Heritage Society encourages local service clubs, PTAs, businesses, organizations, and private individuals to submit nominations for this community-centered award. Do you have a worthy candidate for the Kenmore Heritage Society to consider? If so, here’s how to nominate:

  1. Nominations are accepted from October 1st through December 31.
  2. Please read the Guidelines for selection of McMaster Heritage Award nominees.
  3. Access and submit the nomination form from this page.

View Nomination Guidelines

Guidelines for Selection of Nominees

  • The recipients shall be living persons whose contributions to the Kenmore community through volunteerism, leadership and/or actions have made a significant positive difference to the Kenmore community. Nominees for the Emerging Leader Award must be age 23 or under.
  • The awards shall be presented at a special event during March.
  • Nominations for the awards shall begin in October. Nominations from the public, from local service organizations, churches, PTAs and from other groups are invited.
  • Current KHS Board members are not eligible for these awards.
  • Completed nomination forms must be submitted to the Kenmore Heritage Society Board of Trustees by Dec 31.
  • Research may be necessary to obtain additional information regarding the achievements and qualifications of nominees.
  • All nominations will be evaluated by the Kenmore Heritage Society Board of Trustees. Final selection will be by majority vote of the Board and will be based solely upon qualifications of the nominee, regardless of the number of nominations received by other nominees.
  • The selected recipients shall be officially notified by letter.
  • The Kenmore Heritage Society Board of Trustees will select a person or persons to make the official presentation of the award.

Previous McMaster Award Honorees

  • 2002 – Ralph Swanson
  • 2003 – LeRoy Anenson
  • 2004 – Richard Ramsey
  • 2005 – Tom Traeger
  • 2006 – Roland Lindstrom
  • 2007 – Jo Ann Evans
  • 2008 – Priscilla Droge
  • 2009 – David Maehren
  • 2010 – Richard Taylor
  • 2011 – L. G. “Bud” Eaton
  • 2012 – Staci Adman
  • 2013 – Harrold Thompson
  • 2014 – Kent Sturgis
  • 2015 – Daniel K. Church
  • 2016 – Ron Gehrke
  • 2017 – Sara Hayashi
  • 2018 – Annette Eaton
  • 2019 – Debra Srebnik
  • 2020 – Brent Smith
  • 2021 – William “Bill” Leak
  • 2022 – Stacey Denuski
  • 2023 – Derek Wyckoff
  • 2024 – Katrina Rose
  • 2025 – David Baker

Previous Emerging Leader Award Honorees

  • 2021 – Nathan Loutsis
  • 2022 – Sofia Leotta
  • 2023 – Pinyu Laio
  • 2024 – Camille Pierce
  • 2025 – Emma Choi

“Making A Difference for Businesses” Service Award

The “Making A Difference for Businesses” Service Award honors a person or business who is making significant contributions to the Kenmore business community through time, actions, talents and dedication (outside any volunteer work done for their employer).  He/she/they should have a philosophy of service, passion for helping others in the business community, and a desire to make the world a better place. For example, a nominee has pitched in to ensure other businesses have successful events, connected business(es) with potential customers, partners or resources, or offered other support that goes above and beyond normal service. This could be a one-time contribution, a series of contributions, or on-going support.

Award Criteria:

  • A significant contribution to the business community by an individual or business, or a pattern of community contributions by an individual or business that does not require financial remuneration, advertising, or any other gain for the individual or business nominee in return. The contributor has made a one-off or ongoing positive difference to a Kenmore business or the Kenmore business community.
  • Contribution can include responding to an emergency situation or ‘a cry for help’ from a community for appropriate support.
  • The contribution could be but does not have to be financial; it can be a commitment of time, resources, assets, skills, professional assistance or support that creates a positive outcome for the business or business community.
  • Business or business community being served can be a recognized local group, charity or an informal group who has positively benefited from the support provided by the nominee.

 

Nominee Criteria:

  •  If nominee is an individual, the person must have provided service to a Kenmore business or the Kenmore business community.
  • If the nominee is a business, the nominated business must be part of the Kenmore business community or be an area business serving a Kenmore business or the Kenmore business community.

Submission Requirements:

  • Nomination submissions must include the motivation behind the decision to provide support to the business or business community, evidence of the contribution, including business or business community acknowledgement where available. Benefits, outcomes and results for the business or business community should be included to identify the difference the contribution has made.
  • The service must have taken place at any time between the submission deadline for the past year’s award* and the submission deadline of the current year’s award. Alternatively, it can be an ongoing contribution carried over from previous years, provided at least a portion of the service was carried out during the current award submission period.
  • Business/business community contact details should be provided where possible to assist with the judging process. Consent for judges to call the contact must be confirmed on the submission to ensure privacy requirements are met.

Selection:

Timing for application and selection of winners will coincide with the schedule posted on the Kenmore Heritage Society website. Applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of 5 KBA members, with one member from each of the following sectors: Non-profit, Food & Drink, Stay & Play, Retail, and Services,

Presentation:

The “Making a Difference for Businesses” Service Award will be presented to the winner at a KBA meeting. Additionally, the winner will be honored at the Celebration event hosted by the Kenmore Heritage Society as part of the annual McMaster & Emerging Leader ceremony.

Award:

The award consists of the recipient’s name added to a plaque at Kenmore City Hall, a certificate of appreciation, plus the winner’s choice of one of the following:

  • A framed painting created by a Northshore Senior Center artist. The painting will represent an aspect of Kenmore that is meaningful to the recipient and will also include information about the award: award name, awardee’s name, date.
  • A framed photo of the recipient receiving the award certificate during the KBA meeting announcing the winner.
  • A $250 Gift Certificate to a local business.
  • A $250 donation to a Charity selected by the winner.
  1. Nominations are accepted from October 1st through December 31.
  2. Please follow the Guidelines listed above.
  3. Access and submit the nomination form from this page.
Nomination

Previous Making A Difference for Businesses Service Award Honorees

  • 2024 – Steve Holmes
  • 2025 – Jason Parker

Kenmore Heritage Society
Documentary Photography Scholarship

About the Scholarship 

The Kenmore Heritage Society promotes the theme of “History Now.” The Documentary Photography Scholarship is a first step for empowering a new generation to study history as a way to understand the present and guide us toward a more informed, inspired, and inclusive future.

Martin Luther King Jr. encouraged people to “Do small things in a great way.”

This prompt is intended to encourage personal involvement in social issues and promote socially conscious documentary photography.

Who: Open to all High School Students Northshore School District.

What: One entrant will win $1000.

When: Entries are accepted any time during the school year.

Kenmore Heritage Society
Classroom and Community Grant

About the Grant

The Kenmore Heritage Society promotes the theme of “History Now.” The Classroom and Community Grant is a step toward empowering a new generation to study History as a way to understand the present and guide us toward a more informed, inspired, and inclusive future.

Who:   Those involved in educational activities with Elementary and Middle School students in the Northshore School District.

What: One teacher or community leader will win $500

When: Applications are due by November 1, 2021.
The winner will be announced December 13, 2021.