KPMS eighth-grader honored with first Hunziker Memorial Scholarship

Hess leads by example, is ‘spirited and well-liked’

Hugh McMillan

Special to the Gateway

More than 175 Key Peninsula Middle School students were honored Friday during the school’s “Moving On” ceremony at the Peninsula High School gym.

They are “moving on” to their first year of high school in September.

The gym barely accommodated a standing-room-only audience of relatives and well-wishers.

Peninsula School District Superintendent Terry Bouck, PHS Principal Tim Winter, KPMS Principal Jeri Goebel and teachers and staff of both schools were on hand to congratulate the successful efforts of the future Class of 2013.

Graduate Amber Hess, Ciara Beckdol, Ms. Bryson, Gina Cabiddu and Robert Price sang, read poetry and otherwise set the theme of prideful accomplishment for the evening.

As he took the podium, popular KPMS teacher Michael Hunziker was greeted with heartfelt applause. Hunziker’s wife, Terri, died last July after a long battle with non-smoker’s lung cancer.

Hunziker announced that a $1,500 Terri Radcliffe Hunziker Memorial Scholarship would be awarded, which “exemplifies the outstanding character, conscientious attitude, intelligence and fun-loving nature that Terri lived daily.”

The fund will be held in an account until the recipient successfully graduates from high school and proceeds to post-graduate education.

“(Terri) researched her disease, conversing often with the finest oncologists in the country at M.D. Anderson, Sloan Kettering, Baylor University, Mayo Clinic, Swedish Hospital in Seattle and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance,” Hunziker said. “In the end, it was her own expertise and determination that allowed her to give her two boys the greatest gift they will ever receive — nearly five additional years with their mother.”

Hess was presented the scholarship.

“(Hess) is a girl who possesses many of Terri’s characteristics,” Hunziker said. “I have seen over the last three years that she is spirited, successful and well-liked. She came to class each day with a positive attitude, took pride in her work, understood the value of education, wanted to get the most from each of her classes, has a large circle of friends and is well-liked by faculty and students, has a keen sense of humor, is always willing to assist her peers, is involved in her school, led by example, has future goals and is a delight to have around.

“It was my pleasure to give this first Terri Radcliffe Hunziker Memorial Scholarship to such a fine young lady.”

Hess said she was in shock when Hunziker presented her the award.

“I didn’t know what to say or do,” she said. “I couldn’t help but to start to cry; I was overjoyed by the honor.”

For more information about the scholarship, visit www.terri-radcliffe-hunziker-scholarship.com.

Hugh McMillan is a longtime freelance writer for The Peninsula Gateway. He can be reached at 253-884-3319 or by e-mail at hmcmnp1000@centurytel.net.