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February 16, 2021

Media Contact:
Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509-682-6436 (Mon.-Thurs.)
Rachel Evey, WVC foundation executive director, 509-682-6415

The ������ý Foundation has announced Jaime Ramirez as the Distinguished Alumni of 2020. Jaime, a teacher at Cascade Elementary School in East Wenatchee, will be recognized at a virtual ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. For more information about the event visit wvc.edu/Alumni.

At the event, Jaime will be presented with the award and have a chance to speak about his experiences. Also speaking are Rachel Evey, executive director of the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation, Dr. Jim Richardson, president of ������ý, Barbara Walters, Distinguished Alumni of 2019 and executive director of NCW Libraries, and Kim Browning, principal of Cascade Elementary School.

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes an alumnus who has distinguished him or herself in their chosen professional field, made significant contributions to their community on a local, state, national or international level, and demonstrated integrity in their personal life and gained the respect of their peers.

Jaime is the first in his family to graduate college. After WVC, he attended Eastern Washington University and graduated summa cum laude. He then completed graduate school at Grand Canyon University online with a 4.0 grade point average. Jaime now teaches physical education, coaches boys and girls soccer, mentors high school students, serves as an interpreter during parent-teacher conferences and regularly shows support to his colleagues and his students at school events.

“I am here for the students. In whatever way I can help them out, I will do it.” he said. “My favorite part (of being an educator) is when I can help someone that truly needed help. If you make a child smile and help them learn something that they thought they couldn’t accomplish, that is my highlight — when kids are feeling happy and excited to learn.”

Rachel Evey, executive director of the ������ý Foundation said, “Jaime is a real example of how education can not only change a life, but can create an impact on our community as a whole.”

To learn more about the Distinguished Alumni award or to make a donation to the WVC Foundation, visit wvc.edu/Foundation.

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The WVC Foundation was incorporated in 1971. It exists to build relationships between the community and the college and raise financial support for ������ý students, programs, faculty and staff, as well as special projects such as building campaigns like the Music and Art Center. For information on how to make a gift to the foundation, establish a scholarship or include the WVC Foundation in your estate plans, contact (509) 682-6410. Visit the WVC Foundation website at .

������ý is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:

• To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu.
• To request disability accommodations: Student Access Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.