Caption for photo:From Left to Right: Johnetta Rowsey, Nordstrom Director of Diversity Affairs, Washington/Alaska Region, Sukie Jefferson, Garfield High School, Nicole Iwuoha, Nathan Hale High School, Lisa Wu, Franklin High School, Sandra Li, Cleveland High School, Tara Hastings, Nordstrom Diversity Affairs Coordinator, Washington/Alaska Region.YOUR COVERAGE IS INVITED CONTACT: Megan LinkFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NordstromSEPTEMBER 24, 2004 Phone: 206-373-3034 NORDSTROM TO AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS TO FOUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7Reception, dinner and awards ceremony to be held at the Grand Hyatt Seattle. SEATTLE – On October 7, Nordstrom will host its annual “Celebration of Cultural Diversity”, an awards ceremony recognizing four senior high school students for their scholastic achievements. The 2004 scholarship recipients are Nicole Iwuoha, Sukie Jefferson, Sandra Li and Lisa Wu. All four students have been awarded $10,000 scholarships, which will be paid over four years in equal installments of $2,500. Nordstrom will honor the scholarship recipients at an evening awards ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Seattle, Thursday, October 7. Reception at 6:00 p.m., dinner and entertainment at 6:30 p.m., followed by keynote speaker and awards at 7:45 p.m. This year’s event will feature keynote speaker, Judge Richard A. Jones. All proceeds from the event will benefit The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle and The Wing Luke Asian Museum. “These students are examples of how determination and scholastic achievement helps youth overcome obstacles each and every day,” said Nordstrom Director of Diversity Affairs, Washington/Alaska Region, Johnetta Rowsey. “Lisa, Sandra, Sukie and Nicole are our future leaders. They are a testament to how knowledge, curiosity and confidence can inspire individuals to reach their dreams. We are honored to recognize such deserving students who show us how important education and cultural diversity continues to be in our communities.” For the past fifteen years, Nordstrom has recognized local individuals for their efforts to promote cultural harmony in the Puget Sound community through “A Salute to Cultural Diversity.” Nordstrom started this program in 1990 in honor of Black History Month, -more-Nordstrom Celebration of Cultural Diversity2/2/2recognizing individuals for their efforts to promote cultural and racial harmony. Today, the program has evolved to encourage high school students from all communities to pursue higher education in an effort to create avenues of opportunity for career success through scholarships. A committee made up of educators, business leaders, community volunteers, past recipients and representatives from Nordstrom chose the scholarship recipients based on their applications, demonstrated commitment to diversity through community and/or school activities, and an interview. # # #Editor’s Note: Media interested in attending and covering this event please RSVP to Megan Link at (206) 373-3034.Nordstrom Celebration of Cultural Diversity2004 Scholarship RecipientsNicole Iwuoha – Nathan Hale High School, Seattle, WANicole envisions a college education that will broaden her horizons and provide her with new experiences as she looks to her future. Promoting diversity within her community has always been a priority for Nicole. She is actively involved with the Diversity Club & Multi-Cultural Awareness Committee, the Nigerian Igbo Union of Washington State and Making Connections, an organization that links students and educators with work experience opportunities with local businesses. Nicole excels in school receiving High Honors and is a member of the National Honor Society and the Debate Team. Nicole was also inducted into the “Intro to Technology” Hall of Fame at her school. Believing in leading by example, Nicole was the mentorship representative in her homeroom class, “Team Read” as a reading tutor. Nicole has won numerous awards including third place in the Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) competition, Editor’s Choice at Poetry.com and the Mason Scholars Award. While gaining professional experience as a Washington Mutual intern, Nicole also finds time to be an active part of the community. She serves as an alter server at her church, a “Better Babysitters” sitter, and is the volleyball coach for Greenlake Community Center. Sukie Jefferson – Garfield High School, Seattle, WASukie dreams of one day earning her MBA and hopes to serve as a role model for others by showing how her personal celebration of diversity has contributed to her success. She actively gives back to her community through the Youth Tutoring Program and Bailey-Boushay, a facility offering residential care and day health programs for people living with AIDS. Sukie succeeds academically as well. She has participated in Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA), a national academic program designed to promote minority students to pursue careers in math and science, for that past three years. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, serves as an executive officer for the National Association of Marketing Students (DECA) and acts as Business Manager of the school newspaper. Sukie explores a possible future in the technology industry and engineering through her involvement with the National Society of Black Engineers and the Technology Access Foundation. She is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma, a young women’s auxiliary group that promotes self-determination and the celebration of cultural heritage through community service, spirituality, business leadership and social grace. Sukie was awarded the Ku’Onesha Academic Award 2001-2004, the “Hardest Worker Award” in Math, Student of the Month and the Boeing SENSE Scholarship Award.Sandra Li – Cleveland High School, Seattle, WASandra, an active honor student, aspires to be an ophthalmologist and someday open her own clinic. Fluent in Chinese, she hopes to serve patients who struggle with language barriers. Sandra participates in a number of school programs and activities. She serves as President for the High-Tech Club, Bulletin Editor for the Key Club, and is a Student Advisor and Student Ambassador at her school. Excelling in mathematics, Sandra has won the Math Department Award three years in a row. She also enjoys sports and serves as the Captain of the tennis team. Sandra finds time to volunteer in her community as well. Supporting a local soup kitchen, -more-2004 Scholarship Recipients2/2/2serving at a retirement home and also working with children at a neighborhood community center have allowed Sandra to touch many lives. She plans on continuing her volunteerism by working with minority youth to help spark their interest in science and technology. Sandra was also named “Best Leader in Training” by Making Connections, and Upward Bound, a program that helps prepare students for college, deemed Sandra as “Most College Ready”. Sandra is looking forward to pursuing her college education to “fulfill her thirst to learn and teach others.” Lisa Wu – Franklin High School, Seattle, WALisa, a straight A-student, is looking forward to her college education and hopes to some day fight for further integration in schools by creating programs and events for all to attend. Lisa is very active in school programs. She has been the acting class secretary and a member of the Key Club for three years. Lisa is a member of the Spanish Club, and served as president for one year. She participates in the Asian Student Association and served as president of the Academy of Finance in 2004. Lisa was awarded “Best Attorney” in Mock Trial State and the Wellesley College Buck Award. Outside of school, she is a Chinese Art Association Art Gallery participant, and is actively involved in Basic and Yet Sin Chinese School where she was awarded the second place Grade Level Award. Lisa is involved in her community through The Tribes Project, an organization that brings young people of many races together to voice their ideas about race relations through the medium of theatre. # # #Nordstrom Celebration of Cultural DiversityJudge Richard A. Jones, Guest Speaker The Honorable Richard A. Jones is a 1975 University of Washington law graduate. He has served as a Deputy Prosecutor for King County and as an Assistant Untied States Attorney for the Western District of Washington. His criminal practice background is balanced with also having been a Staff Attorney for the Port of Seattle and an Associate with Bogle & Gates. Judge Jones was appointed to the King County Superior Court in 1994. Judge Jones has lectured extensively at legal education programs for the Washington State Bar Association, King County Bar Association, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association and University of Washington. He has also been an instructor at the United States Attorney General’s Advocacy Institute, the Executive Office of the United States Attorney in Washington, D.C., and the Washington State Judicial College, where he served as Dean in 1997 and 1998. Judge Jones is also a faculty member at the National Judicial College. In addition to his judicial duties, Judge Jones serves on several boards and committees, including Seattle University Board of Regents, University of Washington Law School Advisory Committee and from 2000 – 2002, he served as the Board President of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, a Board he has been a member of for fourteen years. Judge Jones has received numerous awards and honors for his achievements as a lawyer and judge. Most recently, Judge Jones was the recipient of the 2004 Outstanding Judge Award from the Washington State Bar Association, 2004 Judge of the Year Award from the Washington State Trail Lawyers Association, 2004 Outstanding Judge of the Year Award from the King County Bar Association and 2004 Alumnus of the Year Award from Seattle University.