Pathfinder Award

The Pathfinder Award, established in 2016, celebrates graduates of Mercer Island High School whose achievements, strength of character, and citizenship inspire and challenge today’s youth.

Pathfinder Award recipients have contributed to society in meaningful ways through their service, leadership, and creativity in our communities. Graduates of Mercer Island High School have impacted the world in a variety of fields, including but not limited to the following areas: the arts and athletics; business; education; entertainment; law; medicine; the military; philanthropy and volunteerism; public service; religion; scholarship and science. 

Growing up on an island with committed schools and residents, they embraced the larger world around them and pushed the boundaries of their potential. They are our inventors and artists—imaginative and creating the future. They understand the global context in which we live today. All are pathfinders who aspire to a better way of living for humankind. They discovered that path, or showed others the way. 

Nominations for the 2024 Pathfinder Award are now closed 

The annual deadline to submit a nomination for the Pathfinder Award is in the first week of February. As part of the nomination, submitters will be asked to tell the Pathfinder Award committee how the nominee has contributed to society as a Pathfinder through their service and leadership. Additional documentation such as news stories, awards and honors, other letters of support, photos, CV or résumé may be sent to alumni@mercerislandschools.org.

The 2024 Pathfinder Award recipient was Jordan Morris, a professional soccer player and philanthropist who graduated from MIHS in 2013.

At Mercer Island High School there is a permanent display that recognizes all Pathfinder Awards recipients as well distinguished graduates recognized prior to the Pathfinder Awards.

Program objectives

1. To recognize distinguished alumni from Mercer Island Schools and to inspire students and residents with their accomplishments; and

2. To create a network where alumni and students feel they are part of an extraordinary global community who support each other and are dedicated to making the world a better place for humankind.

Criteria for selection

• Nominations will be vetted by the Pathfinder Selection Committee made up of island residents, business leaders, alumni, and school officials from the district and the Mercer Island Schools Foundation. The committee may request additional documentation if needed.
• Candidates must be graduates of Mercer Island High School
• Graduates not selected in the year they are nominated will remain eligible for two years following the initial nomination process, without requiring a new submission.
• In order to be nominated a graduate must be 10 years from their graduation year.
• Any person may submit a nomination, except for Selection Committee members.
• Posthumous nominations will be accepted.
• Nominations for the Pathfinder Awards require submission of the district's nomination form, which is released in November of each year. 
• All information submitted will be considered confidential by the Selection Committee.
• The Selection Committee reserves the right to reject any or all nominations.

2024 Pathfinder Selection Committee
Annabelle Hegarty – MIHS Senior
Asha Woerner - MIHS Senior. Student Representative to the School Board
Daniel Becker – MIHS Class of 2001. Parent of future MISD student.
Ian Henry – MIHS Class of 1991, MISD Communications Coordinator
Sol Park - MIHS Senior. 
David Rosenbaum – MI Deputy Mayor
Tammy Shoop – Executive Director, Mercer Island Schools Foundation
Ava Zhang - MIHS Junior. Student Representative to the School Board. 

For more information, contact Ian Henry, Communications and Alumni Relations Coordinator, 206-236-4514. 

Pathfinder Award Recipients

The Pathfinder Award honors our graduates’ remarkable impact in a variety of fields, including the arts, athletics, business, education, entertainment, law, medicine, the military, philanthropy & volunteerism, public service, religion, scholarship and science.