Alumni of the Year Award
Alumni of the Year Award
What is the Alumni of the Year Award?
The Alumni of the Year Award is presented to a graduate of Charles Wright Academy and recognizes the individual’s accomplishments and/or service to their community. Nominations for the Alumni of the Year Award can be submitted here.
Alumni of the Year 2026
Corey Matthaei ’03
When Corey Matthaei ‘03 walks onto an NFL field, he carries with him the lessons of a childhood spent in Tacoma, Washington – a tight-knit community, a demanding academic environment, and a work ethic that was quietly forged long before he ever set foot in an NFL facility. As the Assistant Offensive Line Coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, Corey’s journey from the halls of Charles Wright Academy to one of the most celebrated franchises in professional football is a story about seizing opportunity, putting in the work, and never underestimating the power of the people around you.
Alumni of the Year 2025
Aukeem Ballard ’07
Aukeem’s impact has been felt both during his time at CWA as well as throughout the many communities he has been part of since graduating from Charles Wright Academy. He is a Tarrier through and through, and fun fact, he was the one who coined the iconic phrase “Once a Tarrier, Always a Tarrier!”
Alumni of the Year 2024
Henry Cheney ’16
Henry is a CWA “lifer”, attending our school from Beginning School to Grade 12. After graduating from CWA, Henry went on to play and coach baseball for the University of Portland, where he graduated with his BA and MBA in Nonprofit Management. Since graduating from the University of Portland, Henry has taken his talents back to the CWA community.
Alumni of the Year 2023
Nate Mondou ’13
Nate has been making headlines over the past 12 months—first after appearing for the Oakland Athletics in his Major League Baseball debut last fall, and then again in February after signing with the Chicago White Sox organization to support their minor league needs at second base.
Alumni of the Year 2022
Trevor Will ’93
Trevor is the owner of Titus-Will Automotive Group and works hard to care for his community, including his alma mater, CWA.
Alumni of the Year 2021
Laura Malcolm ’00
Laura is the co-founder and CEO of Give InKind, which she founded in 2016 as a means to provide people around the world with concrete ways to help their loved ones through challenging times.
Alumni of the Year 2020
J’Nai Bridges ’05
J’Nai navigates the competitive world of opera with confidence, turning her passion into a successful international stage career.
Alumni of the Year 2019
Scott Case ’94
Scott co-founded a software startup called EnergySavvy to help people use energy more efficiently in their homes and reduce the impact of climate change.
Alumni of the Year 2018
Trevor Moawad ’91
Trevor was an internationally known mental conditioning coach and veteran of the professional sports business.
Alumni of the Year 2017
Charles “Chuck” Morey ’65
Chuck (center in photo) is a director, playwright, and former artistic director with more than 45 years of experience in professional theater and extensive credits from coast to coast.
Alumni of the Year 2016
Kathy Niakan ’96
Internationally renowned researcher and scientist Kathy Niakan ’96 was named in Time Magazine’s World’s Top 100 Most Influential People.