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; sports and athletics; 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. 

The annual deadline to submit a nomination for the Pathfinder Award is in the last 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 2026 Pathfinder Award recipient was Mary Wayte who is four-time Olympic medalist in swimming. She won two gold medals at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, one for winning the 200-meter freestyle and one as a member of the 4x100-meter freestyle relay team. Mary currently serves as the Vice Chair of the USA Swimming Foundation Board of Directors. A significant part of this role involves fundraising in support of the Foundation’s mission, which is working to strengthen the sport of swimming by Saving Lives, Building Champions and Impacting Communities. The USA Swimming Foundation aims to provide the opportunity for every person in the U.S. to learn to swim. The Foundation helps support swimming lessons for both children and adults and has given more than $17 million in grants to communities that need help in launching or sustaining swimming lesson programs.

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.
   

2026 Pathfinder Selection Committee
Jonathan Anderson - MIHS Senior - Class of 2026
Daniel Becker – MIHS Class of 2001. Mercer Island Deputy Mayor
Sydney Bundy - MIHS Senior - Class of 2026
Lucy Dorer - MIHS Senior - Class of 2026. Senior Student Representative to the School Board. 
Ian Henry – MIHS Class of 1991, MISD Communications Coordinator
Andrew Howison - MIHS Class of 2023
Tammy Shoop – Executive Director, Mercer Island Schools Foundation
Leeching Tran, MIHS class of 2004. Parent of MISD students.

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.