The Tacoma Athletic Commission, serving all high schools in Tacoma and Pierce County, is honored to award the 2021–2022 Stan Naccarato Sports and Civic Betterment Award to Alejandra (Alex) Ruppe. Ruppe says that ever since she was a young child she was interested in helping others and putting a smile on their face. She is fond of the quote from Mother Theresa, “The fruit of love is service, which is compassion in action.” This quote summarizes Ruppe’s approach to life and her future goals. Aside from being a State Champion swimmer Ruppe is interested in pursuing a career in the field of medicine and plans to attend WSU for her undergraduate studies. In her three years at Steilacoom High School Ruppe has dominated the pool. Ruppe was the first female swimmer in the Sentinels’ history to qualify for state in all eight individual Swimming events and was ranked #1 or #2 in the state in five of the eight events. She has broken four SHS school records, including the 100 breaststroke which was previously held for 31 years. Ruppe has been named TAC’s Athlete of the Year twice and WIAA’s Athlete of the Week three times. Ruppe was nominated by USA Today as Athlete of the Year for Swim and Dive, representing Washington State in USA Today’s national competition. The same fierce determination that drive Ruppe in the pool also pushes her academically and civically. She has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll since 2018, in the National Honor Society since 2020 and a 2A SPSL League Scholar Athlete the last three years. Ruppe has volunteered since 2020 with the International Humanitarian Law Youth Advocate, promoting the protection and conservation of education in war-torn countries. Through her service with the National Honor Society she helped organize the “Tacoma Rescue Mission Stocking Stuffer Project” which collected donations in order to distribute stocking to 70 kids ages 0–18 that are living at the Tacoma Rescue Mission. She intends her service to be not just to her community but to her country also. “I plan to attend the Uniform Services of Health Sciences for medical school to become a military doctor. Being a military doctor is my way of serving our country and giving back to our military community.” It is an honor for the Tacoma Athletic Commission to recognize Alejandra (Alex) Ruppe with the Stan Naccarato Sports and Civic Betterment Award for the 2021–22 school year.