Thank you again for your steadfast support of the Ballard High School Foundation.

Your unrestricted Annual Appeal donations have allowed us to continue more than 20 years of great work to support all the students and staff at Ballard High School.

This year, our successful initiatives have included:

• Supporting academic success for the most at-risk students through our GAINS Program;
• Honoring our outstanding Senior graduates' achievements through Golden Beaver Scholarships;
• Celebrating All Things Ballard online and in-person auction, highlighting a special push for the inclusive and popular Ballard Strength and Conditioning program; and
• Completing even more items on our athletic-field enhancement checklist!

As we continue our 2022-23 Direct Appeal, we're sharing the impact of your donations on Ballard's Strength and Conditioning program. Thank you again. It's because of your donations and support that help make all these goals happen!

Sincerely,

Dick Lee '61

Ballard High School Foundation Co-Founder and Chair

A major highlight of the year was the Ballard High School Foundation’s support for Ballard Strength and Conditioning, which has worked with countless student athletes since Coach Colin Matthiesen took over the program in March 2018.

Thanks to generous donations, we raised $20,000 for the Foundation's summer initiative, "Supporting Ballard Strength and Conditioning."

“We’re truly privileged to have this program at Ballard!” Coach Matthiesen said. “A lot of schools (especially public schools) don’t have the resources to have this program.”

Strength & Conditioning focuses on core values of Safety, Commitment, Effort, Focus, and Toughness ⁠— “Beaver Strength." The goal for Beaver Strength, in the short term, is to make student athletes more explosive, durable, and strong. In the long term, the goal is to equip BHS students with the tools to live a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically, long after they have graduated from Ballard.



“I just want to say thank you to all our athletes who have come and worked hard,” he said. “I also want to thank the parents who get them here so early in the morning.”

Thank you, Coach! That's him above, by the way, getting the 2019 Ballard Athletics John H. Nygaard Coach of the Year Award!

Did You Know?

Strength training is for everyone. Ballard athletes, as well as students who want to work on their fitness, are welcome to participate in the program.

In 2019, Senior wrestler and Strength Captain Ana Marbett helped Coach get the word out about the program to fellow female athletes. Now girls are just as apt to join in the morning workouts and team-specific programs as the boys.

"After the involvement and buy in came, it was breaking down stigmas around female weight training," Coach said.

One example is the Ballard Girls Soccer program, shown above, who after a summer of fun and endurance-building workouts, asked Coach if they could continue with the program during their fall season.

"They attacked this summer and continued to get strong! It was amazing to see them push themselves, add weight progressively to each set without prompted," he said. "So proud of this group and every single female who has ever come through this program. You have all helped shape, build and lay the foundation for what we have now!"

You Can Help These Important Resources Continue!

An inclusive program like Ballard Strength and Training requires significant resources. So here is where we need your help: The Ballard High School Foundation Annual Appeal is a primary source of funds that allows us to carry out our great work in support of programs, whether it be in the weight room, on the field, in the Gym or all around the Ballard High School building.

We hope you will give serious consideration to a 100% tax-deductible donation to the Ballard High School Foundation so that we may continue these worthwhile efforts of serving students and teachers. A contribution in any amount is welcomed and appreciated.

Your support is truly valued! We thank you!