Special to the Reporter

The Mercer Island School District is pleased to present its 10th annual Pathfinder Award to 1999 Mercer Island High School graduate Katie-Jay Scott Stauring whose achievements, strength of character and citizenship inspire and challenge today’s youth to make significant contributions to humankind.

Sadly, this is a posthumous presentation of the award as Katie-Jay passed away in a tragic car accident in November 2022.

Katie-Jay co-founded i-ACT, an organization that supports people living in refugee camps from war-torn Chad to Armenia. She readily traveled to help and connect with individuals while problem-solving how to better their heart-breaking living situations.

More than 36,000 displaced children have benefited from i-ACT programs in refugee camps. They have trained more than 1,200 refugees to lead their own communities. Currently, her organization continues to hire more than 200 refugees for paid positions through i-ACT, which currently offer programs across Africa, in Mexico, Greece and Armenia.

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.

Katie-Jay was nominated for the Pathfinder Award by classmate Wendy Dubrow, who included these comments in the nomination.

“Katie-Jay was always a force of nature since her days as a kid on Mercer Island playing competitive soccer right up until her last day serving refugees abroad whose livelihood depended on her. It was on her way home from her last aid trip when she was tragically killed in a car accident in LA.”

“She was the person we all aspired to be. She was driven by an unwavering moral compass and her passion to be the change we all wish to see in the world. She dedicated her life to service and helping others, often at her own compromises. While others chased high paying jobs to afford them the lifestyle that allowed for travel and indulgences, Katie-Jay lived by modest means to better allow others to survive. It wasn’t just survival she was after for them, but a life with hope, dignity and happiness. Anyone who knew Katie knew she had a boisterous laugh. In her selfless nature, she wanted others to enjoy in the simple true joys of life: love and connection.”

“I can’t make sense of why such a gift to the world was taken so young but I also appreciate she had a greater impact than most during her 41 short years.”

“Her 13-year-old daughter would find such pride in knowing we haven’t forgotten her mom and her legacy.”

The Pathfinder Award will be delivered to Katie-Jay’s daughter, who is currently living in Los Angeles.

Dubrow will speak about Katie-Jay receiving the 2025 Pathfinder Award at the April 24 school board meeting and the Mercer Island Schools Foundation Breakfast of Champions on April 29.