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Beacon photos by Pat Ratliff
Ashley Aven received the award named in her honor at the Meadowdale Senior Sports Banquet

Ashley Aven was granted the first Ashley Aven Senior Athlete of the Year Award on May 24 at Meadowdale High School.

“It was amazing,” Ashley said.  “I thought it was just going to be a [certificate], but it was a shiny, blue plaque, and I also got $500 and flowers.”

But more amazing than the award named in her honor, the $500 and the flowers was that Ashley was there to receive it.

Last summer, at the end of her junior season with Meadowdale’s softball team, Ashley was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a rare and aggressive disease. 

When months of chemotherapy at Children’s Hospital failed to send the cancer into remission, the doctors told the Avens there was nothing more they could do.  They sent Ashley home in January with two months to live.

On Monday, nearly five months later, Principal Dale Cote presented Ashley with the award during Meadowdale’s Senior Sports Banquet in front of her family, friends, teammates and coaches.

The award, according to Karen England, co-president of the Meadowdale Sports Booster Club, recognizes her triumphant spirit, determination and strength of character. 

She said it will permanently carry Ashley’s name and be granted to Meadowdale seniors in the future, and that every award winner will also receive a $500 scholarship. “As the principal, I am extremely proud and honored to be able to have Ashley’s name as part of an award that will be passed down for generations,” Cote said.

Inscribed on the award is a quote from Ashley herself:  “Live every moment to the fullest with a big, deep breath.”

Ashley said her family – mostly her brother Eric, 14 – helped her with the quote.  She said they settled on that quote because it sends a message of courage.

“I think it speaks to everybody,” Cote said of the quote.  “Sometimes, as you go through life, you have to stop and take a big, deep breath.”

The award will serve as a memorial or legacy to Ashley and her inspiration, England said. 

“I think she’s an amazing young lady,” she said.  “She’s living each moment with the most grace and poise that she can in face of extreme adversity.  She shows no signs of giving up.”

Bill Aven, Ashley’s dad, who spoke at the banquet, promised that the Avens would present the future Ashley Aven awards to Meadowdale seniors.

“I think it was outstanding of the school to even make up an award for that, because there are other kids going through tough times,” he said.  “I just think it’s amazing that they want to honor her and her courageousness.”

Since January, the community – and especially Meadowdale students, teachers and staff – has rallied to support Ashley and her family.

“Ashley’s courage has brought a sense of community to Meadowdale again,” England said.  “We’re all coming together and working side by side to help Ashley.”

On Sunday, Meadowdale’s softball team hosted a Wiffle Ball Tournament as a fundraiser for the Avens.  Nine schools – Archbishop Murphy, Marysville-Pilchuck, Glacier Peak, Skyline, Kamiak, Juanita, Mariner, Everett and Mountlake Terrace – joined Meadowdale and retired Seattle Mariner Jay Buhner to play informal games of wiffle ball.  The tournament raised about $11,000.

“Me and my dad drove up [on Sunday], and the football field and the soccer field and the softball field were just covered with people,” Ashley said.  “And I was just like ‘Wow, they came just for me?’”

Ashley hit for Buhner’s team a few times during the tournament, letting somebody else run the bases for her.

Bill said Ashley was in a lot of pain recently until the doctor’s switched her medication, and since then she’s been feeling fine.

Although neither seemed possible in January, she’s now looking forward to attending Meadowdale’s senior prom on June 5 and graduation on June 19.  Ashley hasn’t been able to go to school this year, but the principal plans to give her an honorary degree.

“She just has her mind set,” Cote said.  “She’s tough.  She’s not willing to allow the cancer to take over for her.”

To donate to the Ashley K. Aven Foundation, go to any Wells Fargo bank or go online to www.paypal.com/sendmoney and specify ashleykaven@gmail.com.For updates on Ashley’s status, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/ashleykealohaaven.