Throughout its history, WASA has been involved in honoring and recognizing outstanding educational administrators and those individuals in other professions who have made extraordinary contributions to K–12 education. The association annually presents awards to recognize people and groups who have impacted education in the state of Washington. These include four STATEWIDE awards: Golden Gavel, D.A.Davidson Barbara Mertens Legacy, Service to WASA, and WASA Leadership.

WASA members are encouraged to submit nominations for these awards. Previous nominations may also be resubmitted. The nominations gathered will be given to the WASA Honorary Awards Committee for consideration and final selection.

The Committee will make the following considerations for statewide awards:
—Could the nominee be considered a positive change agent in public education at the state level?

—Has the nominee positively affected one or more areas—program development, staff morale, community support, student interest, learning environment, or general support for public education?

—Has the nominee provided creative leadership in inspiring to motivating others to achieve or contribute to public education?

—Has the nominee personally provided a special service or achieved above and beyond what is expected in the usual public school program?

—Have others recognized the nominee as a force for constructive change in public education at the community and/or state level?

HONORARY AWARDS COMMITTEE
101     Dave Smith, Newport                                smithdave@newportgriz.com
105     Brian Hart, Granger                                   hartb@gsd.wednet.edu
108     Liz Ritz, Oak Harbor                                   lritz@ohsd.net     
109     David Paratore, Monroe                            paratored@monroe.wednet.edu
110     Janine Thorn, PSESD                                 jthorn@psesd.org
111     Chad Honig, Bethel /                                 chonig@bethelsd.org 
            Sara O'Donnell, Sumner-Bonney Lake     Sara_odonnell@sumnersd.org                                                                             
112     Mike Nerland, ESD 112                              mike.nerland@esd112.org
113     Dana Anderson,  ESD 113                         danderson@esd113.org
114     Susan Lathrup, ESD 114                            slathrop@oesd114.org
123     Rachel Gwinn, Pomeroy                             rgwinn@psd.wednet.edu
171     John Boyd, Quincy                                      jboyd@qsd.wednet.edu     
State   Shari Parsons, WASA                                sparsons@wasa-oly.org