Sky Valley organizations get clean bill of health

The Sky Valley showed up in full force at the Snohomish Health District recently, as three different organizations ' two from Monroe and one from Sultan ' were recognized for outstanding programs and policies that promote healthy behaviors in Snohomish County.

The awards ceremony was held during the Board of Health meeting on Tuesday, April 12, at health district headquarters in downtown Everett. Honorees were given decorative plaques highlighting their accomplishments, which were also outlined in front of the Snohomish Health Board. Different board members presented the various honors.

All five members of the Snohomish County Council sit on the health board, along with city councilmembers and mayors from cities in each region of the county. East Snohomish County is represented by Snohomish County Councilmember Hans Dunshee, Lake Stevens City Councilmember Kurt Hilt and Monroe City Councilmember Jeff Rasmussen, who took over for Snohomish Mayor Karen Guzak this year.-á

Rasmussen presented awards to Jerry "Big DogGÇ¥ Dixon of Big Dog's Hotdogs mobile vending service, Sultan High School Principal Tami Nesting and the Monroe Youth Coalition.

Sultan High School

Sultan High School was recognized for its efforts at equipping students to make healthy choices in relation to nutrition and increased physical activity. It was the school's unique and extensive collection of outdoor learning opportunities that drew the health district's attention, including the on-site salmon hatchery, greenhouse, orchard, vegetable garden and living tree museum.

Sultan High School has been able to successfully address financial challenges associated with being a smaller district by extending the classroom well beyond the walls of the school, taking advantage of the surrounding landscape of forests, streams and rivers.-á

Biology teacher Ryan Monger strongly encourages hands-on learning to supplement and enhance learning that happens in the classroom. Under his direction, students have trekked through the woods behind the school, identifying and removing invasive species, inventorying different types of fungus and restoring native habitat.

In addition to nurturing the school's infant fruit orchard, students grow vegetables and have tapped maple trees, boiling the sap down to make maple syrup. During a recent visit by Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn, students dazzled him with recent Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) projects that incorporated the different elements of experiential learning available at the school.

Even English students have been able to use the outdoors while studying "Walden,GÇ¥ by Henry David Thoreau, a book particularly relevant to outdoor learning.

Rasmussen outlined the school's future plans, which include sharing produce from the garden with the community, a possible farmers market, an indoor planting project to help improve air quality in the classrooms and an outdoor classroom.-á

"The English classes are already studying "Walden' outdoors, but they would like to expand this so any teacher can take the students outside and learn,GÇ¥ Rasmussen said.

Monroe Youth Coalition

The Monroe High School Youth Coalition was selected as a 2015 Healthy Communities Award recipient for its commitment to addressing substance abuse and mental health issues. The youth coalition is a subcommittee of the Monroe Community Coalition, a volunteer nonprofit prevention coalition dedicated to the health and wellness of the Monroe community.

The student-led youth coalition was founded during the 2014GÇô15 school year and features a robust membership. The group meets on a weekly basis to explore different strategies that can be deployed at the school to help students succeed.

Last year the group decided to zero in on suicide prevention and mental health awareness, creating a video called "You Are Not AloneGÇ¥ that encourages struggling youth to seek help from either a friend or a trusted adult.

"According to Washington state's Healthy Youth Survey data, teens who can't name a person that can help them in their school tend to fare worse across virtually all behavior areas,GÇ¥ Rasmussen said.

The video was launched last September during Suicide Prevention Week and has been shared at the school, across social media and is featured between films at Galaxy Theater in Monroe.

Recently, youth coalition members were trained in a peer-led, suicide prevention program called Sources of Strength, which dovetailed in with the coalition's ongoing prevention efforts. The training encouraged students to be peer leaders, connectors to help and agents of change in the school.

Monroe School District Prevention Specialist and Coalition Coordinator Joe Neigel represented the coalition at the awards ceremony, along with Monroe Youth Coalition members Maddie Marsee, Ciara De la Cuesta and Phoenix and Zuzu Hamel. Zuzu, one of the coalition's founding members, enjoys the inclusiveness of the coalition, which has fully embraced the "You Are Not AloneGÇ¥ concept through different tactics implemented on campus.-á

"I love how people of different ages and backgrounds can all come together and work together. We all want to make a difference and are very passionate about suicide prevention and drug and alcohol abuse,GÇ¥ Zuzu said. "It's super cool to see how our club is creating a difference in our community.GÇ¥

Big Dog's Hotdogs

Jerry "Big DogGÇ¥ Dixon was recognized for several best practices related to the operation of his Seahawks-themed mobile hotdog truck, including promptly and accurately reporting his itinerary to health district staff and exemplary sanitation. Dixon first opened his hot dog stand in Sultan in February 2014, and within about six months decided to completely revamp his business model.

He relocated to Monroe and purchased a mobile truck, thoroughly embracing a vivid blue and green Seahawks motif. The bulk of his business is mobile, as he provides his out-of-the-box hotdog creations at different sporting events around Monroe and the greater Snohomish County. He is a regular at Monroe city sponsored events, and has often used his food truck for community fundraisers.

He was awarded the 2015 Food Program Excellence Award for the best temporary food establishment.

"At every inspection Jerry displays his excellent sanitation with a simplified menu,GÇ¥ Rasmussen said. "Jerry always has a winning attitude, asking every great question and wanting to do the right thing. Congratulations to Jerry Dixon and Big Dog's for giving mobile vendors a good name in the food truck industry.GÇ¥

Dixon accepted the award with fianc+¬e Jan Woolery, owner of Monroe's Man Cave Barbershop.

"If you ever want the best hot dog, we won best hot dog in Western Washington,GÇ¥ Dixon told the board. "We represent in Snohomish County.GÇ¥

Dixon was honored by Evening Magazine last November, winning Best Food Truck in KING 5's Best of Western Washington competition.