Mark Hoshi of Seattle, Washington has been selected as the Hamilton Relay 2021 Deaf Community Leader Award for the state of Washington. According to his peers, Mark gives back to the community in a big way, especially with Deaf youth.
As an alumnus of Washington School for the Deaf, he has taken what he learned from his role models and turned them into an opportunity to serve the community. “It began in junior high school at WSD when Deaf adults recognized and encouraged my development as a leader as well as having the support of peers,” said Mark. “I am just ‘paying it forward’ what they did for me is what I am trying to pass onto the youths of today; to feel and be empowered as an individual and collectively.”
Mark works with Deaf youth as co-director and senior facilitator at Deaf Teen Leadership (DTL) Camp at CISPUS to implement confidence-building team activities that allow the students a safe space to explore and grow. He has contributed to DTL in various roles since 2006.
Mark volunteers with the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth in planning for the Spring Deaf Family Retreat and the state-wide annual Junior Achievement BizTown/Finance Park. JA’s BizTown/Finance Park is geared toward middle and high school students who are Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing or DeafDisabled. Mark is an enthusiastic member of the team in making sure that the students have the opportunity for hands-on learning and practice in building their financial literacy. Mark also serves on the board of Washington State Registry of the Deaf.