Hero Story

My daughter, Katherine Bertolini, has served as the Superintendent of Maple Valley Schools since 2019. From the time she began in what is known as the Snowpocalypse of 2019 until this day, she has worked to provide steadfast, calm, and servant-centered leadership to her community. She writes a weekly column in the local paper that we always enjoy because she strives to highlight the values of small-town living and the social capital that is part of the fabric of life in Maple Valley Schools. When the pandemic first impacted their school system, her first goal was to ensure that no child went without a regular meal and she set up food deliveries and pick-ups to be sure no child went hungry in her district. From that time on she has worked to identify what is best in her community about taking care of one another and persevering through hard times to ensure when the pandemic is over, the community is stronger than ever.

When we have gone to her school to engage in student activities, we are always so proud when people approach us and thank us for what she has done to unify and support her community. I must say that watching your child impact an entire community is an experience that defines my own life as a parent. To know how much she means to so many people has humbled and delighted me as a parent and I truly believe she was the right person for the right job at the right time. She loves her community and her community loves her back. That is a testament that most people can only hope to achieve, and she lives it every day. She is so worthy of this recognition, and I thank you for this opportunity to recognize how special she is.