Awards / Scholarships

Al Beck Award

This award, in memory of Al Beck, is given to honor a Washington State member who exemplifies the principles of service that were so diligently represented by Al Beck's contributions to the organization. Al Beck is considered to be one of the founding fathers of A4LE in the Pacific Northwest. This award is given to honor a Washington State A4LE member who exemplifies the principles of service that were so diligently represented by Al Beck’s contributions to the organization. The winner will be selected by past Al Beck Award recipients and the award will be presented at the Pacific Northwest Regional Conference in November.

Past Al Beck Award recipients include: Jim Jennings, Alberta Mehring, Chas Chisom, Steve Young, Gretchen DeDecker, Merle Kirkley, Jack Hutteball, Gary Nelson, Ralph Saxton, Bill Chaput, Jay Peterson, Cheri Hendricks, Debra Fulton, Peter Wall, Edward Peters, Steve Murakami, Kelley Tanner, Guy Overman, Shannon Brush, Greg Hepp, Michael McGavock and Philip Riedel.

2022 Merle Kirkley Merit Scholarship

The $3,000.00 Merle Kirkley Merit Scholarship Award is a competitive merit‐based scholarship program designed to provide financial support for Washington State high school students planning to obtain a post‐secondary education. Applicants must demonstrate that their intent is to major, or obtain a certificate in, a field relating to educational facility planning and design. Fields related to educational facility design include (but are not limited to): school planning, architecture, civil/structural/mechanical/electrical engineering, product services and construction management.

Click here to download more information on the scholarship and the forms for completion.

Submission Deadline: by 5:00 pm on June 19, 2022

2023 Design Exhibit and Awards

The Polished Apple Award Program recognizes outstanding educational facilities in the state of Washington. The program follows criteria from the Association’s Planning & Design Awards Program and the PNW Region’s Pinnacle Award Program, so as to encourage Chapter projects to also compete at the regional and international levels.

This year, the submittal requirements for the Washington Chapter Polished Apple may include 1 video in the Optional Materials.

This program recognizes learning projects which positively impact teaching and learning and result from a sound planning process reflecting the needs and expectations of the community.

Award Categories

Polished Apple Award: Awarded to the single most distinctive project, which best satisfies the criteria; one winner.

Awards of Merit: These awards recognize exceptional projects that were not the Polished Apple Award winner, but are deserving of recognition according to the criteria. Number of awards is at the Jury’s discretion, if any.

People’s Choice Award: Attendees at the Conference will have the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice Award. The winner will receive the Merit Award level of recognition.

2023 Schedule
Call for Submittals	February 25, 2023 Award Program document available, registration site available for payment
Electronic Submittal Due	April 25, 2023
Display Boards Due	May 25, 2023, location TBD
Award Announcements	June 3, 2023 at Semiahmoo Resort

Contacts

Polished Apple Program Co-Chairs:
Andy Cottrill ([email protected])
Robert Landa ([email protected])
Stephen Clark ([email protected])
Casey Moore ([email protected])
Exhibition Coordinator: Andy Cottrill ([email protected])
Regional Director: Donna Robinson ([email protected])

Registration and Entry Fee

Fees are as follows per project, to be paid at the time of registration:

A4LE Members
$300 USD for projects registered on or before March 30
$350 USD for projects registered after March 30

Non-Members
$400 USD for projects registered on or before March 30
$450 USD for projects registered after March 30

Online registration, payment, and identification of the following must be done prior to submitting the project dossier for judging:

Identify project (Name, location, district).
Identify key firms/individuals of the process.

Please note: You will need to fill out the Confidential form and Photo Release form in addition to filling out the online project registration.

Download the Award Program submittal guidelines
Download the Confidential Information sheet
Download Photo Release form

For any questions or issues regarding online registration or payment, please contact the Member Care Manager listed above in the Contacts section.