Good Morning

Gray outside. Sun is breaking through. I am feeling mighty happy. I hope you are feeling happy too.

Jen Willey, Communications Director and Executive Assistant to the Head of Schools at Annie Wright shared some exciting new with me yesterday..  

Jen says, "We have some big news with regard to our Early Childhood program here at Annie Wright. We are now extending learning and care of our youngest students to year-round (closed only 10 days annually), and doing so without raising our tuition costs. We look forward to serving more families in the community and hope that you can help us get the word out. We are still accepting applications, on a space available basis, for the coming academic year."

Questions?  Please call 253.284.8602.

Homestyle Chili Cookoff at Hometown Throwdown sanctioned in the first-ever Washington state Homestyle Chili competition Saturday, June 14, 2014 and has qualified a winner to the World Championship with International Chili Society. With 10 competitors, the number required to sanction the event, it is considered a regional homestyle cookoff.

First place winner is: Sue Simons, Roy. As first place winner, she will advance to compete at the world championship.

This is the third year for Homestyle division and the first time Washington state has hosted this level of competition. “Last year was my first year to coordinate the event and focus was on sanctioning Chili Red, Chili Verde and Salsa and we were successful,” Cynthia Stearns, Homestyle Chili Cookoff at Hometown Throwdown event producer said. “This year, we were ready to take on this competition and are excited we have been able to sanction this as well.”

Others winning include:

• Second place:  Leonard Kellogg, Lynnwood
• Third Place:  Ross Lunbeck, Lacey
• Fourth Place:  Rescue Mission, Tacoma
• Fifth Place:  Yuki Batten, Auburn

Also competing were:

• Penny and Daryll Grant, Gig Harbor
• Sally Jo Hagen, West Seattle
• Destry Henderson, Tacoma
• Larry and Betty Mayer, Lakebay
• Stadium Thriftway, Tacoma.

This competition was designed for teams (one-four persons) allowing individuals, businesses and organizations to participate.

Races were tight including a three-way tie for fifth place with a tie-breaker to name the fifth-place winner.

Guest judges sampled in blind tastings.

Head judge Ken Peach of Spanaway and Scorekeeper Ann-Marie Anderson of Lynwood oversaw the judging and scoring process.

Guest judges were Judie Anderson, former restaurant chef and BBQ and chili judge, Austin and Cheryl Miller, KCBS BBQ judges, Nick Alan from 100.7 FM and Jim Flavin from Tacoma Rainiers. Health Department Liaison was Greg Frederick.

Also announced was People’s Choice, won by Rescue Mission of Tacoma. Prize was tickets to Tacoma Rainiers.

“Up in Smoke” won for Best Booth, created by Yuki Batten of Auburn. Prize was Chili Pepper necklace and earrings by Bernesa’s Beads of Pacific Beach.

Concert tickets to Blake Shelton, Toby Keith and Zac Brown Band (100.7 The Wolf), VIP package (Tacoma Rainiers) were awarded for those finishing first through third. (First place had prize package valued at nearly $300, second $115 and third $85.) Heritage Distilling Company and Lynnae’s Gourmet Pickles were included prizes. Additionally, a signed book by local author Bernadette Pajer and Touchstone Crystal Jewelry (Elaine Thompson) were presented.

“We were presented the opportunity to coordinate this cookoff with 100.7 The Wolf Hometown Throwdown concert at Cheney Stadium. It was a natural to have this combination and bring an event of this caliber to Tacoma,” Stearns said.

Tasting kits included five tastes for $5. The chili was a huge hit with the crowd (over 3,000 in attendance) and was sold out in two hours.

Founded in 1967, the International Chili Society is an organization that sanctions nearly 200 chili cookoffs each year that are governed by ICS rules and regulations and a blind judging process. These events are worldwide and benefit charities or non-profit organizations. Local winners of ICS sanctioned cookoffs qualify to compete for prizes and awards throughout the year.

Over $90,000,000 has been donated to charities through the cookoffs. One million spectators a year participate in ICS events by cooking, tasting, judging, and having a good time.

“We would like to thank the businesses and people who supported this event including 100.7 The Wolf and Cheney Stadium. Also, a thank you to the competitors, our head judge and scorekeeper, plus our guest judges and others who assisted,” Stearns said.

For more information, please contact: Cynthia Stearns, 360.589.7751 or by email:

washingtonstatechilicookoff@gmail.com.

2014 Washington State Chili Cookoff at Emerald Downs

Emerald Downs will host the 37th annual Washington State Chili Cookoff on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

The Chili Cookoff will be held in conjunction with live racing, and event producer Cynthia Stearns said over 50 venues vied to host the competition.

“We are pleased to have Emerald Downs as our host site this year,” Stearns said. “It’s a unique locale for our state and easily accessible. Plus, we have the exciting atmosphere of Thoroughbred racing and a wonderful venue to make this a terrific reason to enjoy both.”

The International Chili Society officially sanctions the Washington State Chili Cookoff, with winners advancing to the World Championship in October. The ICS is the world’s largest food festival.

At Emerald Downs, competitors will compete in three categories: Chili Red, Chili Verde and Salsa. Winners in each category advance to the World Championship (with minimum 10 competitors per category).

Last year’s Washington state winners were:

Lisa Beaver, Chili Red, West Richland

Chris Beaver, Chili Verde, West Richland

Ron Bryan, Salsa, Seattle

In addition to live racing and the chili competition, sponsors and vendors will be on-site at Emerald Downs.

For more information, please contact: Cynthia Stearns, Washington State Chili Cookoff Event Producer: (360) 589-7751 or washingtonstatechilicookoff@gmail.com.

There is sponsor/vendor space available.

For information and/or directions to Emerald Downs please visit emeralddowns.com. General Admission is $7 with post time 2 p.m.

There were six World Champions in attendance and seven states represented. The second-most winning person from ICS and former Chili Red World Champion, Doug Wilkey, is from our state, a Shoreline resident.

Founded in 1967, the International Chili Society is an organization that sanctions nearly 200 chili cookoffs each year that are governed by ICS rules and regulations and a blind judging process. These events are worldwide and benefit charities or non-profit organizations. 

Local winners of ICS sanctioned cookoffs qualify to compete for cash prizes and awards throughout the year.

Top-level winners compete for a total prize package of $55,000 at the Worldʼs Championship Chili Cookoff held each year in October. One million spectators a year participate in ICS events by cooking, tasting, judging, and having a good time.

Over $90,000,000 has been donated to charities through the cookoffs.

Chili Red is where the big money is, with the winner at World’s receiving $25,000 first prize.

Annie Wright presents Molière’s comedy The Learned Ladies

Special thanks to Jen Willey for providing this press release:
Annie Wright Upper School presents Molière’s comedy The Learned Ladies with a modern twist! 
Friday, February 21, and Saturday, February 22
Shows begin at 7:30 pm at Annie Wright Schools’
Kemper Theater, 827 N Tacoma Ave, Tacoma Wash, 98403.

The greater Tacoma community is invited to attend the zany production of this delightful French satire and for an evening filled with comedy, pop music, and wild costumes. Come and discover if the 17th century characters will be doomed to re-live their story for all of eternity or if their modern counterparts will finally get it right and allow for the two lovers that belong together to finally be united.

As part of Annie Wright’s commitment to the community, Annie Wright Upper School will host a drive for the NW Furniture Bank. Attendees can help by donating any small home goods items such as: plates, cutlery, serving pieces, glasses or the like that are in good repair.

(Comments from Jaynie:  It's a great service that the NW Furniture Bank provides to the community to help people get back on their feet and set up housekeeping after being homeless or from other circumstances where they've lost everything and are starting over.)

Students will be admitted free with their student ID and/or donation. Adults who donate a home decor item will also be admitted for free. General admission (without a donation) for students is $5.00 and for adults $7.00.

SCHOLAR SEARCH WEEKEND: Smart Girls. Smart Choice.

Annie Wright Schools Host Events for Middle and High School Students

Tacoma, Wash. — Annie Wright Schools announce two unique events for students to visit campus and explore the schools’ programs, curriculum and community: Ticket to Thrive, for boys and girls, entering grades 6-8; and Scholar Search Weekend, for girls entering grades 9-12. Both events are free and require registration.

TICKET TO THRIVE: Don’t just survive middle school. THRIVE at Annie Wright.

WHO:           Boys and girls entering Grades 6-8 in fall 2014

WHAT:         Meet current students, enjoy a free lunch, learn about our Middle School and participate in fun activities (including a scavenger hunt with iPads!). Attending Ticket to Thrive simplifies the application process:

                       >> Your application fee will be waived

>> Your assessments will be completed during the event

>> An admission decision will be made within two weeks of the event

WHERE:        Annie Wright Schools, 827 North Tacoma Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98403  

WHEN:           Saturday, February 8, 2014, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

REGISTER:     www.aw.org/thrive

WHO:           Girls entering grades 9-12 in fall 2014

WHAT:         Spend a night at Annie Wright, learn about the benefits of the all-girls experience and compete for partial merit scholarships. The overnight event includes student interviews, class visits and our popular lip sync event. Attending Scholar Search Weekend simplifies the application process:

                       >> Your application fee will be waived

>> Your assessments will be completed during the event

>> An admission decision will be made within two weeks of the event

WHERE:        Annie Wright Schools, 827 North Tacoma Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98403  

WHEN:           Friday, February 7, 12:00 pm – Saturday, February 8, 1:00 pm

REGISTER:     www.aw.org/scholar-search

Founded in Tacoma in 1884, Annie Wright Schools are two schools on one campus. Annie Wright Day School serves boys and girls in Preschool through Grade 8, while Annie Wright Upper School offers all-girls day and boarding programs for Grades 9 through 12. Annie Wright is proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School. Learn more at www.aw.org.

Annie Wright Schools Announce New Directors

Annie Wright Schools Announce New Directors

Jennifer Haley to lead Enrollment; Stacey Guadnola to lead Development

Tacoma, Wash. — Annie Wright Schools announced today that Jennifer Haley has been appointed to Director of Enrollment and Stacey Guadnola has been appointed to Director of Development. Both women are members of the schools’ senior administration, reporting to Christian G. Sullivan, Head of Schools.

Jennifer Haley, a member of Annie Wright’s class of 1989, will lead the Admissions Team for the Day School and Upper School at Annie Wright Schools. Jennifer joined Annie Wright in 2009 and has already succeeded in enrollment as the previous Upper School Admissions Director where she was charged with filling the boarding department and succeeded by increasing enrollment from 50 boarding students to the current 100. Ms. Haley also led the recent launch of Annie Wright’s intranet website. Prior to Annie Wright, Jennifer served as an executive at DIRECTV Broadband and has a background in leadership management, technology, customer service and restaurants. Jennifer graduated from Smith College and earned an MBA from Western New England University.

Stacey Guadnola will lead the Development Team for Annie Wright Schools. She has worked with Annie Wright in various capacities for almost a decade, serving most recently as the Director of Enrollment. Under Stacey’s leadership Annie Wright’s enrollment increased by 14%. Previously Ms. Guadnola was a sales executive for the Wall Street Journal, raised $2MM as the co-founder of Chicago Jesuit Academy and served as the founding executive director of the Make the Dash Count Foundation. Stacey graduated from Boston College and earned a Master’s in School Leadership from Harvard University.

“Jennifer and Stacey have both demonstrated that they are goal-oriented professionals,” shared Christian G. Sullivan, Head of Annie Wright Schools. “They are the best people to lead these two very important teams in our school. Both Jennifer and Stacey have a long tenure with the school and are integral leaders in the Annie Wright Schools community.”

Founded in Tacoma in 1884, Annie Wright Schools are two schools on one campus. Annie Wright Day School serves boys and girls in Preschool through Grade 8, while Annie Wright Upper School offers all-girls day and boarding programs for Grades 9 through 12. Annie Wright is proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School. Learn more at www.aw.org.