Washington Activity Coordinators Association
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  Washington Activity Coordinators Association

Conference history


The Washington Activity Coordinators Association's long and heralded history began in 1970 when a group of Seattle area activity coordinators voted to get together and underwrite a conference. With this in mind, the first annual conference was held in the spring of 1971. Over 40 years later, the conference is still going strong and today attracts activity coordinators, cheer coaches, ASB and club advisers, administrators, athletic directors, leadership teachers and activity secretaries from across the state of Washington.

Under the direction of Walt Dawson of Shorecrest High School, Coke Roberts of West Seattle High School, Pat Woodward of Cleveland High School and Fritz Mahlert of Nathan Hale High School, funds for the first conference were partially defrayed by the generous contributions of business firms who exhibited their products. This supportive tradition continues today with our partners and sponsors at each year's conference.

Recent Conferences: 2010-Present


WACA 2023: Cultivating Community
President: Jaime Johnson
Location: Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver

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WACA 2022: The Leadership Library
President: Michelle Munson
Location: Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver

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​WACA 2021: Leadership: Voyage of a Lifetime
President: Susie Bennett
Location: 
Virtual

WACA 2020: Whatever the Question, Love is the Answer
President: Guy Simpson
Location: Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick

WACA 2019: The Greatest Show On Earth
President: Karen Blomquist
Location: Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick

WACA 2018: Tune into Leadership
President: Laurel Robillard
Location: Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick

WACA 2017: Fishin' For Ideas
President: Dick Caldwell
Location: Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver



​WACA 2016: For the Love of the Game
President: Rebecca Latham
Location: Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick

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WACA 2015: Ordinary Heroes
President: Sue Metzler
Location: 
Yakima Convention Center, Yakima

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WACA 2014: Help! WACA Meets the Beatles
President: Tim Turner
Location: Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick

WACA 2013: Leadership On Tour
President: Kari Bradley
Location: Yakima Convention Center, Yakima

​WACA 2012: Building Tomorrow's Leaders
Through Student Activities

President: Kevin Judkins
Location: Semiahmoo Resort, Blaine

WACA 2011: Brewing with Creativity
President: Alyssa St. Hilaire
Location: Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver

WACA 2010: The Colors of Leadership
President: Jen Durham
Location: Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver

Past Conferences: 1990-2009


WACA 2009: A Wild, Wild WACA
President: Eleanor Ledbetter
Location: Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver

WACA 2008: WACA's Memorable Moments

President: Leslie Ivelia
Location: Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver

WACA 2007: The Jackpot of Ideas

President: Josh Meek
Location: Resort Semiahmoo, Blaine

WACA 2006: A World of Opportunity
President: Cari Johnson
Location: Resort Semiahmoo, Blaine

WACA 2005: Leadership and All That Jazz!
President: John Bittinger
Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine

WACA 2004: WACA: Once Upon a Time
President: Teri Corwin
Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine

WACA 2003: March Madness
President: Rich Boerner
Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine

WACA 2002: WACA: A Feeding Frenzy of Ideas
President: Lana Yenne
Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine

WACA 2001: 2001: A WACA Odyssey
President: Tammy Caldwell
Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine

WACA 2000: Light, Camera, Activities!
President: Lindy Stewart
Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine
WACA 1999: A League of Our Own
President: Pam Kinkela
Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine

WACA 1998: Be True to Your School
President: Marie Kanooth
Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine

WACA 1997: WACA on the Wild Side
President: Doris Bender
Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine

WACA 1996: WACA 500 • Setting the Pace
President: Mark Venns
Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine

WACA 1995: 25 Years of WACA
President: Jim McConnell
Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine

WACA 1994: Northern Exposure
President: Jack R. Reynolds
Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine

WACA 1993: S.S. WACA • Full Speed Ahead!
President: John Aultman
Location: Red Lion Inn, Pasco

WACA 1992: Gold Medal Moments
President: Greg Rawlings
Location: Red Lion Inn, Pasco

WACA 1991: Mystery on the WACA Express
President: Bobbie Jo Gregor
Location: Red Lion Inn, Pasco

WACA 1990: 20 Years of Magic
President: Susan Fortin
Location: Red Lion Inn, Pasco

Past Conferences: 1970-1989


WACA 1989: The Rising Spirit of Student Activities
President: Mike McKnight
Location: Red Lion Inn, Pasco

WACA 1988
President: George Valison
Location: Red Lion Inn, Pasco

WACA 1987: Caring By Sharing
President: David Anderson
Location: Red Lion Inn, Pasco

WACA 1986
President: Robert Kraig
Location: Thunderbird Inn, Wenatchee

WACA 1985
President: Peter Barrett
Location: Thunderbird Inn, Wenatchee

WACA 1984: New Dimensions, New Directions
President: Gary Bridgman
Location: Thunderbird Inn, Wenatchee

WACA 1983: Activities: It's a Matter of You
President: Marty Fortin
Location: Thunderbird Inn, Wenatchee

WACA 1982
President: June Anderson
Location: Thunderbird Inn, Yakima

WACA 1981
President: Joe Vucinovich
Location: Thunderbird Inn, Yakima

WACA 1980
President: Rick Slater
Location: Thunderbird Inn, Yakima
WACA 1979
President: Sherry Ortman
Location: Greenwood Inn, Bellevue

WACA 1978
President: Del Carmichael
Location: Thunderbird Inn, Yakima

WACA 1977
President: Robert Nelson
Location: Thunderbird Inn, Yakima

WACA 1976
President: Jerry Andrews
Location: Holiday Inn, Bellevue

WACA 1975
President: Rick Lamkin
Location: Sherwood Inn, Tacoma

WACA 1974
President: Mort Gronseth
Location: Holiday Inn, Bellevue

WACA 1973
President: Pat Woodard
Location: Holiday Inn, Everett

WACA 1972
President: Coke Roberts
Location: Sheraton Inn, Renton

WACA 1971
Location: Roosevelt Hotel, Seattle




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WACA is a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers who serve in student activities around the State of Washington.