Distinguished Alumni - 2020

Everett Community College has selected publisher Chris H. Bennett and Snohomish County Courtroom Operations Manager Sonya Kraski as the college’s 2020 Distinguished Alumni. The distinguished alumni award is the highest honor given to Everett Community College and Everett Junior College alumni. The award honors those who have demonstrated leadership in their chosen professions and distinguished themselves through service to their communities.

Chris Bennett

Bennett is the founder and owner of The Seattle Medium newspaper and Kris Bennett Broadcasting, Inc. and a nationally recognized leader in African American publishing and broadcasting. Born on a Georgia farm as the second oldest of nine children, Bennett’s early education was in a one-room segregated schoolhouse. His love of learning led him to academically excel and graduate high school with honors. 

He then joined the U.S. Air Force and was eventually stationed in Everett. After his honorable discharge, he attended EvCC on a football scholarship in 1967. While in college, he worked full-time as a juvenile counselor for the state.

“I am grateful for the educators that took special interest in me and motivated me to follow through on my visions as I transitioned from college into my professional endeavors which took ultimately me from Everett, Washington to Washington, D.C. and beyond,” Bennett said. “I am so humbled by the encouragement that I received during my speech classes which gave me the confidence that I needed to advance my communications career. For that I am wholeheartedly thankful to EvCC.”

In 1970, Bennett founded The Seattle Medium to provide a media outlet for the African American community. In 1984, he purchased radio stations in Seattle, Tacoma and Portland.

Sonya Kraski

While Sonya was hired at the Clerk’s office, she still had 20 credits left to complete her AA degree at EvCC. It was 1985, and she was starting a college internship there to fulfill a requirement of one of her EvCC business classes. At the end of her internship, she decided to stay. While working in the clerk’s office, she attended EvCC classes at night and earned her associate degree in 1987. 

In 2008, Kraski was elected Snohomish County Clerk, a role that involved managing 75 employees in seven divisions. She served as the county clerk until 2019, then moved to serving as the Snohomish County Courtroom Operations Manager.

“If it weren’t for my class at EvCC, I would have never gone to the Clerk’s office,” Kraski said. “Without having to leave the community that I was comfortable with, the college expanded my horizons in ways that I never could have imagined.”