Mercer Island High School (MIHS) graduates Matt Galvin and Kirk Robinson have been named the Mercer Island School District 2022 Pathfinder Awards recipients for making an immense impact on the Island and beyond.
Their achievements, strength of character, and citizenship inspire and challenge today’s youth to make significant contributions to humankind, according to a school district press release.
After being honored at the Mercer Island Schools Foundation’s Spring for Schools Showcase and Auction virtual event on April 24, they will be added to the MIHS permanent display that recognizes all Pathfinder Awards recipients along with other distinguished graduates.
School district Superintendent Donna Colosky praised Galvin, a 1987 graduate and co-owner of Pagliacci Pizza, and Robinson, a 1995 graduate and former Bothell Fire Department lieutenant who was selected posthumously.
“The work both Matt and Kirk have done to give back to their community are great examples for today’s youth,” she said. “To see what these two Pathfinders have done shows how much impact our youth can have in communities big and small. This impact is especially important now as we have all navigated our way through the COVID-19 pandemic and the examples set by our Pathfinders prior to the pandemic, will show our youth the example that support from dedicated individuals is integral to communities thriving under all circumstances.”
The recipients were selected from more than 20 nominations submitted by the community and chosen by the nine-member Pathfinder Selection Committee.
Among Galvin’s myriad achievements listed in the press release are: helping feed 180 people a day through St. James’ Cathedral Kitchen; serving on the board of the Third Door Coalition, an organization focused on ending chronic homelessness through permanent supportive housing; spearheading a GoFundMe campaign after George Floyd’s death that raised more than $153,000 for Community Passageways, an organization that helps court-involved youth of color break the school-to-life pathway.
Robinson, who was affectionately known as K-Rob, was a problem solver and community helper who passed away in 2019 after a courageous battle against cancer. Robinson could be found helping a neighbor string up holiday lights, organizing a community Fourth of July picnic, or working with his church to bring groups to Mexico to help build houses. On April 5, the Mercer Island City Council voted unanimously to rename the Skate Park at Mercerdale Park to the “Kirk Robinson Skate Park.”
For information about the showcase and auction, visit https://mihsptsa.org/spring-for-schools-showcase-and-auction-april-24th/
