Awards were presented June 7 to outstanding Vashon High School athletes.

The U.S. Army National Scholar/Athlete Award was created in 1981 by the Army Reserve to honor top students who have excelled in the classroom and in school sports. This year’s recipients are John Gage and Chrissy Swope. Gage has a 3.94 GPA. Swope has a 3.96 GPA. Both are members of the National Honor Society and both have excelled on the basketball court.

Gage led his team to a state championship in his junior year and a third-place finish this year. He has been selected as the Nisqually League MVP multiple years and was honored as a member of the all-state team. He will continue playing basketball at Stanford University.

Swope helped lead the girls’ basketball team to three consecutive state tournament appearances. She has received all-league honors as well as a state sportsmanship award. She will continue her studies and basketball at Pacific Lutheran University in the fall.

The Mathews Inspirational Award is awarded to the senior athlete who has consistently exhibited inspirational leadership to the athletic programs of Vashon High School. The award is given in memory of Jay Mathews, Vashon High class of 1973, who died of leukemia in 1981. Mathews was very involved in school activities, including football, basketball and track. According to his former coaches, he was a natural leader and an inspirational teammate: hard-working, dedicated and possessing a good attitude. Christian Hasson is this year’s award winner. Hasson has a 3.14 GPA.

Probably best known for his pregame “hype-up,” he has inspired not only his teammates, but the entire basketball fan base as well. He first got involved with the basketball program as the team manager, and this year he made the varsity squad. He participated in three state tournaments with the team, including the championship year. He also played golf for one year and soccer for one year. Hasson will be continuing his studies at Western Washington University next fall.

The Bacchus Award is given in recognition of outstanding athletic talent. The award is given in memory of Thomas and Douglas (Lad) Bacchus, classes of 1938 and 1940, respectively. Both were killed in separate air accidents a few months apart during World War II.

Both brothers were very involved in school activities, including drama, clubs, school leadership and sports. This year’s recipients are both seniors: Kiki Means and Elias Weston.

Means has a 3.56 GPA. She participated in soccer and basketball all four years, golf for two years and track and field for one year. She earned a total of 13 varsity letters: four in soccer, four in basketball, two in golf and one in track and field. She received all-league honors in soccer and basketball. She participated in three state basketball tournaments. Means will be taking a year off from school upon graduation.

Weston has a 3.63 GPA. He participated in basketball and soccer all four years and tennis for three years. He earned a total of nine varsity letters: three in basketball, four in soccer and two in tennis. He has received all-league honors in soccer, basketball and tennis. He participated in three state basketball tournaments, helping his team win the state championship in 2009 and finish third in 2010. Weston will be continuing his studies at Western Washington University next fall.

Robert “Otto” Dohm was recognized by the Washington Secondary Schools Athletic Administrators Association with a Commendation Award. The Commendation Award is given to those outside the educational profession and the athletic program, such as team doctors, volunteer workers, fundraisers, promoters and staff members not associated with the athletic program. Candidates must have supported the athletic program by generosity of time, service or other consideration for a minimum of 10 years and served, promoted, developed, supported or otherwise benefited high school interscholastic athletics.

Dohm has been assisting the Vashon High School athletic program for 32 years. He first started his volunteer service by filming football games for the football program, a job that he continues with today. He then began working with boys’ basketball 30 years ago and eventually added girls’ basketball in 1996. He has been keeping the official team books for the boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball squads since that time. He is a huge support for the school’s football and basketball programs; his work and dedication is greatly appreciated.

— Stephanie Spencer is Vashon High School’s assistant principal.