Karshner Memorial Grant

Karshner Memorial Grant to Teacher $1000

In 2009 the family of Warner Karshner made a generous memorial gift to the Peninsula Schools Education Foundation (PSEF), honoring his legacy of supporting great schools in the Peninsula School District. This gift is used by PSEF to make grants that help teachers encourage students to engage in experiences that promote goodness in the community.

Mr. Karshner was a clinical psychologist at the Family Center for Behavioral Health in Gig Harbor. As the chair of the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce Education Task Force, he founded the “Partners In Learning” picnic, now an annual tradition. Mr. Karshner was known as a builder of partnerships between schools and the community, and his family remembers him coming home with a twinkle in his eyes after activities focused on that goal. “Imagine kids having that ‘twinkle’ experience of developing love and pride knowing their contributions helped strengthen their community,” his wife Diane Nason said.

Each year PSEF selects a grant application which reflects these values for funding and designation as the Warner Karshner Memorial Grant Award. Past recipients of the award include:

2010

Kristen Zetterstrom, Gig Harbor High School, Drama

“Theatre Technology Performing Arts”

A grant to purchase tools to be used in theatre set construction.

2009

Shira Stark, Harbor Ridge Middle School, Science

“Implementing Project 3D View using GPS Handheld Receivers”

A grant to purchase nine Garmine E-Trex GPS Receivers.