Terry Pottmeyer and Susan Kaplan Named Citizens of the Year

Local über-volunteers and former Mercer Island School Board presidents Susan Kaplan and Terry Pottmeyer received a standing ovation and recognition as the Mercer Island's 2010 Citizens of the Year at an April 25 meeting in .

Mayor Jim Pearman presented Kaplan and Pottmeyer with the award along with bouquets of tulips from a young girl from the audience.

Pearman spoke about Susan and Terry’s invaluable work on the Mercerversary 50 celebration last summer as well as their extensive and exemplary service to the Mercer Island Community.

"We are recognizing you individually because of your outstanding contributions to the community," Pearman said. "If there were more citizens like you in our community, there would be no invasive ivy on Mercer Island, everyone would run the , and there would be world peace."

Mayor Pearman highlighted their support of and dedication to Mercer Island schools and students through the all levels of the PTA, the Mercer Island Schools Foundation, the Mercer Island School District Board, the Committee for Mercer Island Public Schools, and the committee to raise money for new MIHS Band uniforms. He also noted their involvement in the Mercer Island Youth & Family Services and the Giving from the Heart Breakfast.

Here are some of the highlights from Kaplan and Pottmeyer's volunteer contributions to the Mercer Island community:

Susan Kaplan

• Active in the PTA at every level, from  Preschool Association to Mercer Island High School.  Received recognition and numerous awards for her work.
• Board member and President of Mercer Island Schools Foundation
• Mercer Island School Board including term as president
• Board member and president of Mercer Island Community Fund
• Mercer Island Youth & Family Services Giving from the Heart Breakfast steering committee, including the Breakfast that was the first event held at the brand new Community Center
• Member of CMIPS (Comm. for Mercer Island Public Schools)
• Member of committee to raise money for new MIHS Band uniforms
• Co-chair of Mercerversary 50 years.

Terry Pottmeyer

• Active in the PTA at every level, from  Preschool Association to Mercer Island High School.  Received recognition and numerous awards for her work.
• Board member and President of Mercer Island Schools Foundation
• Mercer Island School Board including term as president
• Board member and president of Mercer Island Community Fund.
• Board member and president of MIYFS Foundation. 
• Chair of Giving from the Heart Breakfast, the Breakfast that was the first event held at the brand new Community Center
• Instrumental in the quilt project.  Student designed quilts, Terry made them and found sponsors so each quilt could be framed and displayed at Community Center.  Designs are also used on note cards which are sold as a fundraiser for MIYFS
• Chaired committee to raise money for new M.I.H.S. band uniforms and first appearance at Tournament of Roses Parade as well as trip to London last  year.  Was instrumental in creating “Band Boosters”, a 501 C-3 organization which can raise funds to support the band. 
• Chaired CMIPS (Comm. For Mercer Island Public Schools). 
• Co-chair of Mercerversary – 50th Birthday