A Renton teacher, board member and school building recognized as 'Best of Renton'

April 22, 2005 - The annual Best of Renton contest, hosted by the Renton Reporter, recently concluded and the winners include a Renton School District teacher, board member, a school-community based volunteer program and school building. Readers of the local newspaper filled out ballots in the paper and online to name their favorite people, places and things in Renton. Here is a partial list of winners in the contest and the newspaper's description of each:

Best Teacher: Rebecca Shepherd, Renton High School
This was a big year for Renton High School history teacher Rebecca Shepherd, who also coaches the school's new, award-winning speech and debate team that won the state title. The California native also was selected as one of nine Excellence in Education Award winners, an award that will be presented by the Greater Renton Chamber of Commerce at ceremony on May 3, 7 p.m. at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center. Rebecca's efforts to mine the performing talents of her students helped three of them qualify for the national high school forensics tournament in June in Philadelphia. "She's always there for us, and she helps you find the realism of who you are," said student Sharelle Johnson, part of an award-winning duo headed for Philadelphia.

Best Realtor: Marcie Maxwell, Renton School Board member and Windermere Real Estate agent
Quick, name a Renton real-estate agent. If Marcie Maxwell wasn't the first name that came to mind, you're in the minority. The Kennydale resident, community activist and Renton School Board member is one of the best-known real-estate agents in the Puget Sound area. She won the same distinction last year.

Best Volunteer: Marcie Maxwell
You'd be hard-pressed to find a volunteer who's involved with more organizations than Maxwell. She's a board director for the Renton School District and was last year's Citizen of the Year, awarded by the city, the Greater Renton Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Renton. This is the second year she's won this award.

Best School: Renton High School
With its remodeling completed in 2002, the city's first high school has established itself as a hub for the arts. The addition of the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center further adds to the school's arts allure. The school's longevity also is reflected in the sentimentality with which many residents relate to their alma mater.

Best Architecture: Renton High School
Several of you voted for Renton High most likely because of the remodeling work that created a central commons area at the school that resembles a town square and the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center next door, giving the city its first full-scale performing arts center.

Best Nonprofit: Communities in Schools of Renton
Starting in 1994 with a handful of volunteers, this nonprofit has grown to an organization that places 147 volunteer, adult mentors into Renton School District schools. There, they spend an hour each week with an at-risk student. The organization also collaborates with the school district for family liaisons who help families get the clothing, social-service support or school supplies their kids need, reducing barriers to education.

Best Community Minded Business: IKEA
Since coming to Renton in 1994, this international home furnishings retailer has established itself as the biggest contributor to the city, arts and education. Its impact has been so great that the city of Renton nearly named a public street after IKEA until controversy over the plan led the city to designate a commercial district in its honor instead.