Salem-Keizer athletic directors pose with a $15,000 check from the booster club at the Beacon Awards. (Statesman-Journal)

A decade ago, the Salem-Keizer High School Sports Booster Club laid virtually dormant.

Founded in 1994 to support the athletic programs in Salem-Keizer after budget cuts, the club fell inactive, leaving a void in the district's six high schools.

Sensing the need, a group of retired Salem-Keizer district athletic directors revived the club with a new vision. Since it was re-established in 2017, it has been a rousing success, donating more than $85,000 to the district's high schools that has covered participation fees for 1,340 athletes.

“Our mission is to eliminate financial barriers for high school kids,” club president Scott Whipple said. “We have parameters set. Kids in need of funding go to the athletic directors and coaches, and by the end of each sports season, the athletic directors have sent us the athletes that need their fees paid.”

The club's impact isn't measured solely by financial support, however. Its annual Beacons Awards – held each June at the historic Elsinore Theatre in downtown Salem – has become a community phenomenon.

Each year, the club identifies Beacon Award community honorees – one from each high school and three or four at-large selections – and three athlete of the year finalists from each OSAA-sanctioned sport. At the awards ceremony, the Beacon Award recipients are recognized and the athlete of the year winners are announced.

The awards, complete with red-carpet treatment and selected presenters, has become a signature event in Salem. More than 600 attended this year's awards June 9.

“It's an Academy Award, ESPY-kind of presentation,” Whipple said. “When the club started doing the athlete of the year awards, it really gained popularity because then it wasn't just honoring older people in the community that have contributed. Now we're getting these kids and families, and their friends and other students. They're really buying in.”

For the 2025-26 school year, the booster club sold sponsorships for each athlete of the year award for the first time. With the windfall, the club pledged $2,500 to each high school.

“This is a pledge to go above and beyond participation fees, to be all inclusive for all athletes,” said Whipple, a teacher at West Salem who has assisted in athletic programs. “We wanted to distribute the money out instead of just banking it.”

The club raises money through grants, sponsorships and donations. Willamette Health Council provided a generous grant last year. A local State Farm Insurance agency agreed to a two-year commitment to be a banner sponsor.

The club recognizes Beacon Award winners for their contributions to the high school sports community in the district. The winners not only have included athletes, coaches and administrators, but also supportive businesses, concession stand workers, longtime officials and an athletic department secretary.

This year's school recipients were Chris Lee, North Salem; Craig Nicholas, McNary; Jeri Nored, Sprague; Damien Ramirez, West Salem; Derek Sawser, McKay; and Phil Webb, South Salem. Four community members also were honored as Beacons: Dave Fehler, Mike Maghan, Tom Pickens (posthumously) and Rick Wallace.

The athlete of the year winners:

Football – Braxton Singleton, North Salem

Volleyball – Brooke Friesen, Sprague

Boys soccer – Fernando Zepeda, McNary

Girls soccer – Mayela Victoria, McKay

Girls cross country – Nelida Dalgas, North Salem

Boys cross country – Anders Hagen, West Salem

Girls wrestling – Marlina Martinez, McNary

Boys wrestling – Maximus Rodriguez, North Salem

Boys swimming – Jarrod Coy, West Salem

Girls swimming – Odelya Laroya, West Salem

Boys basketball – Teagan Scott, South Salem

Girls basketball – Emma Burlison, South Salem

Softball – Courtney Gills, West Salem

Baseball – Teagan Scott, South Salem

Girls track – Madelyn Miller, West Salem

Boys track – Braxton Singleton, North Salem

Girls golf – Aubrey Sorenson, Sprague

Boys golf – Jacob Case, South Salem

Girls tennis – Mariela Hajdaravic, Sprague

Boys tennis-- Josiah Smith, South Salem

Boys volleyball – Logan Scott, South Salem

Coach of the year – Andrew Pickett, North Salem wrestling