Seattle Seahawks Delta Community Captain
Delta Community Captain
The Seattle Seahawks and Delta Air Lines, the Official Airline Partner of the team, launched a new community-focused program – "Delta Community Captains." The program is designed to recognize local individuals or organizations in the greater Seattle area that are making a difference in the community by naming them as honorary team captains.
The Seahawks and Delta will name three Delta Community Captains per quarter in four categories that align with shared company values: education (July-September), military (October-December), equity/social justice (January-March), and the environment (April-June).
Captains In Military Community
The Hanley Family
The Hanley Family includes Nick, Melissa, Brooks, and Vivian. Nick Hanley has served for 20 years active duty in the United States Army. He currently is a Sergeant First Class (E-7) stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord with 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) – US Army - as a cyber defender. Melissa Hanley has been a proud Army spouse for nine years and serves as a Military Family Life Counselor therapist with the 555th Engineer Brigade, providing services to soldiers, spouses, and families. Additionally, Melissa is an active USO Northwest volunteer at the Shali USO Center-McChord Field (JBLM). The Hanley family, big Seahawks fans, were surprised with a visit from Bobby Wagner alongside the Seattle Seahawks and Delta Air Lines to present them with the Delta Community Captain award. The entire family was awarded with a custom football, an invitation to Seahawks' final home game of the regular season and roundtrip Delta flight certificates!
Delta supports (13) USO centers across the country through sponsorship and volunteer work, to help provide opportunities for respite, community and connection to the service men and women who bravely serve the country, and their families.
Matt Mickunas
An active and standout participant in the Merging Vets and Players (MVP) program and regional president for the Paralyzed Veterans of America's PNW chapter, Matt Mickunas was recognized in November as a Delta Community Captain. After serving for 24 years, Mickunas retired as an Army Infantry Senior NCO, dealing with deep depression as a paralyzed veteran, who suffered from PTSD until he joined the local chapter of MVP. The weekly workout and sacred huddle allows members to share vulnerabilities, both losses and wins, in a safe environment. At one of the recent meetings, Matt was surprised with a Delta Community Captain presentation receiving a custom football, Seahawks jersey, and invitation to attend a Seahawks game in the Heroes of 12 seats. Additionally, Delta Air Lines donated water bottles and new gym equipment to the MVP chapter in Matt's honor.
Shawn Durnen
Shawn is a U.S. Army Veteran who, after a decade of struggling with mental health, homelessness, anxieties, and patterns of self-destruction after service, answered the call to make sure that no veteran would face these issues alone by founding NineLine Veteran Services. As President of NineLine, Shawn is leading an organization that brings peer support so desperately needed to warrior's searching for a second chance. The Seahawks and Delta Air Lines recognized Shawn as a Delta Community Captain to support and honor the work he is doing in our military community. Shawn was presented with a community captain prize pack including tickets to the November 21st Salute to Service game. Delta Air Lines will build upon this connection by partnering to provide veteran employment services to those working with NineLine to combat homelessness, suicide, trauma, and isolation.
Captains In Education
DJ
Junior Achievement of Washington alum, DJ, is an outstanding 9th grader at Rainier Valley Leadership Academy and the newest Delta Community Captain. He was nominated by the Atlantic Street Staff and a JA volunteer who were impressed by his level of engagement during the Summer Academy, where he learned about financial literacy and career exploration through Junior Achievement's programs. As the Delta Community Captain, DJ was thrilled to serve as the facilitator for panelists with Delta and Seahawks employees discussing career opportunities, life lessons, and leadership.
Mireille
Mireille participated in the 2021 Seahawks Summer Reading program and was the program's top reader in June reading a total of 3,600 minutes. Due to her dedication to reading she was selected as the first Delta Community Captain. She was invited to an exclusive Seahawks Training Camp practice where she was hosted by Blitz and a Delta Air Lines Pilot, receiving a community captain prize pack, plus Tyler Lockett and some Seahawks players signed her football.
Delta Community Captain DJ's Junior Achievement Panel
October Community Captain for the category of education, 14 year-old DJ, leads a panel on financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship through Junior Achievement of Washington.
Renton School District Captains
Excellence Award: Creed Nelson, Industrial Technology Teacher, Lindbergh High School
Creed is a dedicated, consummate professional who instills knowledge, skill, and confidence in all of his students. His work to help students understand their strengths and abilities and connect instructional activities to areas of interest have helped students explore a variety of career options for life beyond high school. Creed works to connect local business and industry professionals with his students to further strengthen the importance of classroom instruction with real-world application and opportunity. HIs work continues to help students envision their future and move forward to become happy, productive members of our community.
Equity Award: Kristin Parrott, Special Education (ILC) Teacher, Sierra Heights Elementary School
Kristin is a child-centered educator who cares deeply for the children in her care. Her thoughtful, gentle manner helps to calmly guide each student in her classroom to provide them with opportunities and experiences necessary to become capable, self-reliant, self-motivated and life-long-learners. Her compassion, adaptability, and knowledge of best practices of her work are greatly revered and appreciated by parents, families, and colleagues. Kristin's willingness to go above and beyond her daily responsibilities to support staff and students in her school has long endeared her to her school colleagues. Kristin is a model for all.
Service Award: Connie Jourdan, School Bus Driver
Connie has showed her commitment to service by safely bringing students to school and home again for 24 years. Students and families across the district have grown up with Connie during her more than two decades of valuable service. She epitomizes the care and commitment of our professional school bus drivers who are the first in our district to greet students each day. Along with her longevity, Connie has an impeccable safe driving record, showing that she takes great care in her work and for the children in her care each day.