PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles School District Athletic Director Dwayne Johnson has been honored with two awards recently.
Johnson was recognized as the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s 2016 League Athletic Director of the Year for the Olympic League and the Washington Secondary School Athletic Administrators Association’s Athletic Administrator Outstanding Service Award for 2015-16.
He serves as president of the West Central District and the Olympic League, and as chair of track and gymnastic activities for the 70-plus member West Central District.
Johnson also serves his community as a Board Trustee at Peninsula College.
In addition, as a Makah tribal member, he has been active in Washington, D.C. supporting Native American women and youth issues.
Johnson will be honored by the Port Angeles School Board at its Thursday, May 19 meeting at 7 p.m. at the Central Services Building, 216 E. Fourth St.
Shelly Thiel, director of the West Central District, nominated Johnson for both awards.
“It has been a pleasure to have worked with Dwayne the past several years,” Thiel said.
“He’s a first class individual with strong leadership qualities. He’s always willing to listen and hear you out.”
“Although he may be pulled in many directions, he has the calm, cool demeanor to handle tough tasks,” Thiel added.
“Chairing appeal committees, hearing violation issues, coordinating monthly meetings Dwayne sees as more of a challenge or opportunity, rather than a burden.”
“He follows the strong leadership of his late father, Ron Johnson, who was also a member of the West Central District III Executive Board becoming the first father-son to hold the same position as president, perhaps the only such example in the state,” Thiel explained.
Ron Johnson was a longtime athletic director and coach at Neah Bay.
The Athletic Director Service Award was created to recognize athletic directors who have made a significant contribution at the school, league, regional or state level in any one year.