Making an Impact

2025 Eatonville High School Award of Distinction winners announced

By Rick Stedman

The annual Eatonville High School Award of
Distinction recognizes the achievements and
contributions of former students. Created in
2010 under the direction of biology teacher Jim
Clague, the awards honor those who left their
marks in academia, business, the medical field,
arts, philanthropy, humanitarianism and other
endeavors.
This year’s recipients are Dr. Bill Butler,
Ronald Curtis, Harrison Christian and Dr.
Gloria Lowe.
With three of the four recipients deceased,
close friends and family members received the
awards on their behalf.
Award Selection Process
Award of Distinction recipients are decided
by an 11-member committee. The committee
receives nominations from family and
community members, and evaluates every
application.
The group meets several times throughout
the year, discussing and selecting the recipients
“We officially announced the 2025 Award
of Distinction recipients in late August during
the school district’s annual staff Welcome Back
Day,” says Allison Burslem, Eatonville School
District communications director and EHS
Award of Distinction committee member.

Dr. Hugh William “Bill” Butler
Class of 1956
Bill Butler served in the U.S. Army and
Navy. While in the Army and stationed at
Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he rose to the rank of
colonel and later became chief of radiology.
A valedictorian at the Naval Academy, Bill
also trained in medicine at the University of
Washington, later becoming a physician.
In addition to his medical career, Bill
is remembered for his humility, love of
learning, and commitment to family and
community.

Harrison Christian
Class of 1958
Shortly after high school, Harrison began
working in the local logging industry. In the
late ’70s, he bid farewell to the familiarity of
Eatonville and headed to West Africa.
Using his logging expertise, he operated a
logging company in the midst of local political
instability. Harrison and his colleagues
navigated this dangerous environment armed
with rifles for protection.
Harrison returned to the Pacific Northwest
and invested in motels, restaurants and
housing projects throughout Eatonville and the
surrounding area.
During the official ceremony, the Award of
Distinction was presented by Harrison’s best
friend from grade school, Hollis Barnett.

Ronald Curtis
Class of 1968
Ron’s life was cut short just three years after
graduating from Eatonville High School.
After joining the Army, he soon became a
sergeant in the 101st Airborne Division serving
in Vietnam. He died in combat in 1971.
His award was accepted by his sister, Edwina
Curtis Van Eaton, who lives in Eatonville.

Dr. Gloria Lowe – Class of 1998
Gloria Lowe (formerly Van Eaton) followed in
the footsteps of her father, Dr. Tom Van Eaton,
and graduated from Pacific Lutheran University
and the University of Washington School of
Medicine.
“I was very honored and humbled to receive
this award, and my immediate reaction was
one of surprise,” Gloria says. “I must admit, it
almost felt awkward to receive an award for
living my life according to the values I hold
dear.
“I was blessed with a family whose example
of philanthropy and service taught me that
life is best lived by giving back. Their quiet
generosity and willingness to serve others
showed me what it means to make a difference,
not for recognition, but because it is the right
thing to do.”
Gloria is a founding board member of the
Greater Eatonville Community Foundation. She
says working as a physician allows her to put
her values into practice every day and serve
others.
“Understanding that my patients are not
widgets, but humans experiencing a complex
interaction of biopsychosocial factors on their
personal health is a tenet of family medicine,”
Gloria says. “This provides me the insight
needed to give the right care at the right time.
At the end of the day, my goal is to have made
each patient feel heard and valued.”

Submit A Nominee Next Year
Applications can be submitted to the committee next year from Feb. 1 through May 31.
Forms can be found at all Eatonville School District schools and on the ESD website.