newcastle news dec. 2011

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ssiinnccee 119999338

LLiibbeerrttyy ggrraaddsseettttlleess iinnttoo ttiittllee

rroollee iinn ‘‘AAnnnniieeGGeett YYoouurr GGuunn’’

Page 14

MMoonneeyy mmaatttteerrssSchool district bond hasplans for middle school.

Page 2

HHoonnoorriinngg tthhee bbeessttLocal teacher is MOHAITeacher of the Year.

Page 6

PPoolliiccee bbllootttteerrPage 7

TTuunneedd ttoo mmuussiiccHazen students share theirpassion for orchestra.

Page 15

RReeaaddyy ttoo rreeaaddGift-A-Book campaign nets114 books for library.

Page 16

Contact us: [email protected]

392-6434, ext. 239

December 2, 2011

VOL. 13, NO. 12

50¢

YYoouu sshhoouulldd kknnooww

The city of Newcastlehas prioritized streets intown that get plowedor treated in inclementweather. View thecity’s 2011 snow andice priority routes atwww.ci.newcastle.wa.us.Follow the link in thewhat’s new box at thebottom of the page.

BByy CChhrriissttiinnaa LLoorrddss

Gordon Bisset won the 2012general election over challengerFrank Irigon for the NewcastleCity Council’s only contestedrace this year.

With about 72 percent or1,965 votes, Bisset will take onthe council’s fourth position.

Irigon earnedabout 28 per-cent of thevote, or 752ballots cast.

“I’m verypleased withthe results,”Bisset said.“I’d like tothank thevoters ofNewcastle and will be gettingready to carry out my campaignthemes.”

About 51 percent ofNewcastle’s registered voters cast

a ballot in theelection.

Bissetserved a four-year term onthe councilfrom 2002-05and has livedin theHazelwoodneighbor-hood for 41

years.Irigon has lived in the Rainier

Crest neighborhood for 25years. This is the first time hehas run for the City Council

position.Bisset said he would continue

to attend meetings to stay cur-rent on issues, especially when itcomes to the city’s 2012 budgetdiscussions.

He will replace longtimeCouncilman Sonny Putter, whohas continuously served on thecouncil since 1994.

Incumbent councilwomenLisa Jensen and Carol Simpsonand incumbent Deputy MayorSteve Buri were re-elected fortheir respective positions afterthey ran unopposed in the elec-tion.

Former councilman nets72 percent of votes castto beat Frank Irigon

Gordon Bisset wins only contested City Council seat

GGoorrddoonn BBiisssseett FFrraannkk IIrriiggoonn

Contributed

Shall we dance?Ria Mohan (left) dances the part of Clara with Emma Mason (right), of Newcastle, dancing the part ofClara’s brother Fritz at the 2010 Cornerstone Studio production of ‘The Nutcracker’ at Bellevue College.See a story about the production on Page 10.


Members of the City Councilhave agreed to cover the city’s$61,000 shortfall between rev-enue and expenditures for its2012 budget in part by taking anallowable 1 percent increase inproperty tax.

The move will provide thecity with about $40,400 in rev-enue — closing that shortfall toabout $21,000.

Other reductions are still onthe table to balance the 2012budget — including the elimina-tion of the city’s parks managerposition, reductions to the city’scommunication funding andcuts to the city manager’s con-tingency money that acts as acushion for unexpected expens-es.

An ordinance to set the city’sproperty tax collection mustcome before the City Council atits Dec. 6 meeting before theaction will be finalized. Finaladoption of the city’s 2012 bud-get is also expected at that time.

“This is responsible on ourpart,” Councilman Sonny Puttersaid. “It enables us to move for-


Members of the Newcastlecommunity who contributetime, energy and service tomake the city a better place tolive were recognized at theNewcastle Chamber ofCommerce’s Diamond Awardson Nov. 10.

Karin Blakley, DiamondAward emcee and chamberboard member, said recipients

in the event’s youth, education,business, community serviceand mayor’s choice categoriesexemplify service and commu-nity pride that make Newcastlea great place to call home anddo business.

Kent Coburn and RolandDeex were honored with a

Diamond Awards honor community

See AAWWAARRDDSS, Page 8 See BBUUDDGGEETT, Page 9

Council votesfor 1 percentincrease inproperty taxTypical homeowner faces$11 increase next year

IInnssiiddee

For another look at theDiamond Awards presentation,see photos, Page 8.

Newcastle News DECEMBER 2, 2011

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The Renton School Districtwill put three measures beforevoters Feb. 14 — including a $97million building improvementbond that might have big impli-cations for where students fromNewcastle attend middle school.

The bond would fund a newmiddle school in Newcastle atthe former HazelwoodElementary School site, nowhome to the Renton Academy.The academy provides alterna-tive education services for stu-dents in the district. It will bemoved to a new location if thebond passes, according to districtspokesman Randy Matheson.

“We can do something withthat property, and roughly an800-student middle school iswhat we’re thinking right now,”he said. “Right now, McKnightMiddle School has over 1,200kids. Nelsen Middle School hasover 1,100 kids. Dimmitt MiddleSchool has over 1,000 kids.There’s a lot of teen spirit goingon in those buildings.”

Matheson said middle schoolsin the district should ideallysupport between 800 and 900students. Adding a middleschool would benefit student

ratios in each of the four schoolsif the bond measure passes, hesaid.

The Renton Academy facilitywould be torn down and a newbuilding would be built in itsplace. The facility could be a tra-ditional middle school or a mag-net school to focus on a special-ized curriculum, such a math orscience.

“We already have the stu-dents to populate that school,”Matheson said. “We’re notopening the doors to studentsfrom outside the district or try-ing to fill that thing with newstudents … we just need a betterspace than what we currentlyhave.”

There are 13 elementaryschools that feed into three mid-dle schools in the district.

Efforts to rework schoolboundaries or create architectur-al designs must wait until it isdetermined whether the bondpasses or not, Matheson said.

“That’s the kind of workyou’d have to put in once youknow you have the funding,” hesaid. “It would be a moot pointfor us to do months and monthsof planning for a school thatwe’re not going to get fundingfor.”

The Renton Academy is theonly property the district ownsthat is large enough to house amiddle school, and other prop-erties would be too expensive tobuy and develop, Mathesonsaid.

The building improvementbond would also fund a majorrenovation for Lindbergh HighSchool’s pool. The bondincludes funding for otherschool building improvementsthroughout the district, such asroof replacements; electrical andplumbing improvements; safetyand security upgrades; and ener-gy conservation measures.

The district will also seek areplacement maintenance andoperations levy, which provides30 cents of every dollar spent inthe district, and a replacementtechnology levy, which fundstechnology-based education,buys equipment and coversnearly $1 million worth of soft-ware licensing fees the districtmust pay each year.

The bond must pass by asupermajority vote, or 60 per-cent approval, while the twolevies must pass with a simplemajority vote, or by more than50 percent.

“One could say it’s going tobe instrumental in keeping usmoving forward,” said schoolboard member Pam Teal, whorepresents the Newcastle area.

Residents were able to ask

questions about the measures ata school district presentationNov. 8.

Estimates provided by theschool district state the threemeasures would cost the averagehomeowner an additional 69cents per $1,000 of assessedvalue on their property taxes,bringing the total rate collectedto $5.40 per $1,000.

Homeowners with a homevalued at $252,000 would pay$1,361, according to the district.

“Middle school … is probablyone of the most importantthings that we can invest in,”said former school board mem-ber and State Rep. MarcieMaxwell. “I hope that most peo-ple in this community are veryinterested in ensuring our kidshave a great place to learn andthat our teachers have a greatplace to teach.”

$97 million bond calls for middle schoolBoundaries for Renton School Districtwouldn’t be redrawn until after election

“We already have the stu-dents to populate thatschool. We’re not openingthe doors to students fromoutside the district or tryingto fill that thing with new stu-dents … we just need a bet-ter space than what we cur-rently have.”

—— RRaannddyy MMaatthheessoonnSchool district spokesman

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The Newcastle branch ofHomeStreet Bank, 6949 CoalCreek Parkway S.E., will havea giving tree to benefit VisionHouse, a local nonprofit thatsupports families facinghomelessness.

This is the branch's thirdyear hosting a tree to benefitVision House clients.

The tree will be availablethrough Dec. 20.

The branch hours for thebank are from 9 a.m. to 6p.m. Monday through Friday.

Call Linda Stemler, branchmanager, at 401-8778 formore information.

VVoolluunntteeeerrss nneeeeddeeddffoorr ttrraaiill wwoorrkk

Work parties continuefrom 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec.10 and Dec. 18 on the MayCreek Trail extension east toCoal Creek Parkway.

Scouts from several troopswill work on both ends of thenew trail, but more volun-teers are needed. NewcastleTrails is a nonprofit organiza-tion that can provide certifi-cates of community service.

Supervisors are also wel-come. Adults who can movealong the trail, keep peopleon task and answer questionsare also needed.

Contact Peggy Price at 829-2196 or [email protected] more information.

DECEMBER 2, 2011 Newcastle News PAGE 3

Licenses: MLO-108835 MB-98904

1400 112th Ave SE #210 Bellevue, WA 98059

Main: 425-204-1313Fax: 425-204-1414

[email protected]

Mortgage Originator of the Year

BByy TToomm CCoorrrriiggaann

In the races for the two con-tested seats on the IssaquahSchool Board, the two incum-bents outdistanced their generalelection opponents by similarmargins.

“I’m glad to see the resultsthe way they are,” board mem-ber Brian Deagle said shortlyafter initial vote totals wereavailable.

As of Nov. 30, final numbersshow Deagle defeated challengerPatrick Sansing 14,230 to 7,520or 65 percent to 34.4 percent.

The other incumbent, SuzanneWeaver, outpaced challengerBrian Neville 14,005 to 8,091, or63 percent to 36.5 percent.

Anne Moore will join theboard in January; she ran unop-posed for the seat to be vacatedby board President Jan Colbrese.

Like Deagle, Weaver alsoexpressed gratitude over theresults.

“I’m obviously pleased,”Weaver said, adding she wasgrateful Deagle will be returningto the board as well.

“I think we have a very goodteam,” she said, adding thatMoore will be a good addition tothe board.

“I’m grateful for all the sup-port I received,” Sansing said.

He reiterated a contentionmade numerous times duringthe election, namely thatIssaquah schools are good, butcould be better. He then vowedto stay active within the schoolsin any way he can.

“I’m generally relativelypleased with the results,” Neville

said, addingthat’s espe-cially the caseas he ran afairly low-keycampaign. Healso notedthere was noone burningissue thatframed theboard elec-tions.

Nevillesaid he ranmostly toprovideWeaver somecompetition.Like Sansing,Nevilleintends tostay involvedwith theschools andmay be facingvoters in coming years.

During the campaign, Deaglesaid his main goal is to giveIssaquah school graduatesassurances that they are pre-pared to enter the world, readyfor whatever comes after highschool.

“We have fallen short of thatin a number of ways because weare limited by our resources,” hesaid. He added that finances dic-tate teacher availability, whichin turn dictates and limits whatclasses schools can offer.

Weaver praised the district forkeeping students center stage ina time of massive financial dis-tractions, but said leaders needto deal with those hurdles.

“It’s frustrating,” Weaver said.“Every time we start to deal withan issue and make some head-way, we suddenly have to figurea way to pay for it.”

Issaquah School Boardincumbents returnBrian Deagle, SuzanneWeaver retain seats

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BBrriiaann DDeeaaggllee

Back tracking:an ongoing series about the

history of Newcastle

Photos courtesy of the Renton Historical Society

Above: The church pictured in this undated photo was known as the Sunday School Church inNewcastle because even though it had no regular minister, Sunday school was held each week. Below:The church was built in 1875 by miners. Seattle churches sent out ministers on a rotating basis. By1876, the town of Newcastle had grown to 500 inhabitants with 100 homes.

Know more about these photos? Have historical photos of your own you’d like to see in the paper? Email them toreporter Christina Lords at [email protected] or call 392-6434, ext. 239.

ance to your workplace.Think about the training they received in the

military: navigating sophisticated computer sys-tems, interpreting technical data and focusing onimportant deadlines. Imagine the dedication andcommitment it takes to put your country aboveyourself. That sense of purpose and duty is anasset to any business.

These men and women raised their hand todefend our nation. As business owners andemployers, now it’s our turn to look out forthem.

Make a commitment to reach out to veteranswhen you have openings.

The easiest way to do that is to contact theEmployment Security Department’s VeteranService Program and WorkSource.

These employment experts can help you con-nect with a veteran who will make your businessbetter. They can be reached at 877-453-5906 tollfree or [email protected].

John E. Lee, directorWashington State Department of Veterans Affairs

Newcastle newsPPuubblliisshheedd ssiinnccee 11999999 bbyy

ISSAQUAH PRESS, INC.P.O. Box 1328

Issaquah, WA 98027Phone: 392-6434 ❑ Fax: 391-1541

MAIL SUBSCRIPTION

$25 per year

Call 392-6434, ext. 220

Editorial

Gov. Christine Gregoire has floated a couple of ideas todeal with the state’s budget crisis. One of those is a half-penny-per-dollar increase to the sales tax, to go before votersin March. First, legislators would have to approve the ballotmeasure. The new revenue would be targeted for education.

Another idea to help local school districts deal withlooming budget cuts would be for the state to reduce therequired number of school days per year. We like the idea,although we acknowledge that it could be a burden forworking parents who have to pay for more childcare.

State law currently requires students to have no lessthan 180 separate school days.

But take a closer look. Another state law requires dis-tricts to provide at least 1,000 hours of instruction timefor students in grades one through 12 and at least 450hours for kindergarteners.

Gregoire’s proposal to drop the 180 days per year downto 176 days would not reduce the average total hourrequirement.

It shouldn’t be that hard to squeeze 1,000 hours intofour fewer days. Let’s do the math. Divide 1,000 hours by180 days and you average 5.55 hours per day. With 176days, the average day is 5.68. That’s an increase of eightminutes per day.

The Issaquah and Renton school districts already buskids to school for a half-day at the end of the school yearin June. That should be the first day to drop.

The advantage is the savings in utilities, transportation,and wear and tear on facilities. There could also be salarysavings in some support staff, from the lunchroom cooksto the front office.

Whether or not the Legislature agrees to ask voters for asales tax increase to support education funding — and thevoters say yes — it might be time to also consider alterna-tives to the 180 school days per year.

Smaller class sizes and quality education are the priori-ty, not the number of days students get on the bus.

WWrriittee uussNewcastle News welcomes signed letters to the editor.

They should be 350 words or less. The News may edit forlength, clarity and potential libel. Letters about local topics are

preferred. Send them by the 20th of the month to:

Newcastle News

P.O. Box 1328 ❑ Issaquah, WA 98027Fax: 391-1541 ❑ Email: [email protected]

CCoonnssiiddeerr vveettss wwhheenn hhiirriinngg

Dear Washington state business owners andemployers:

What is the one thing that makes your busi-ness the best?

I’m guessing it’s your employees.How would you describe a great employee?Motivated, dedicated, high integrity, solution

finder, team player.What if I told you that I can find you employ-

ees with those traits, and they can make yourbusiness even better?

It’s true.They are our recently separated military per-

sonnel and our National Guard and Reservistsand they want to put the skills they learned inthe military to work for you!

Sure, their resumes may look a little differentthan someone who went straight from highschool to work or college, but take an extraminute or two to think about how their skill setmay bring a different perspective and better bal-

Letter to the editor

OpinionPAGE 4 DECEMBER 2, 2011

Shorter school yearwouldn’t be all bad

Debbie Berto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Publisher

Kathleen R. Merrill . . . . . . . . . . . . Managing editor

Christina Lords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reporter

David Hayes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page design

Do you support the Renton Pools Community’s effort to try to keep Renton SchoolDistrict’s pools open for another year?

A. Yes. High school students should have the opportunity to participate in aquatic sports.B. Yes. The public utilizes the pools for private swim clubs and leisure.C. No. The pools drain limited resources from the district in this still-struggling economy.D. No. The district and partners should pursue plans to rebuild the aging structuresinstead of just maintaining the current facilities at a high cost to the district.

Vote at www.newcastle-news.com.

Poll question

WWhhaatt aarree ssoommee ooff yyoouurr ffaavvoorriitteettrraaddiittiioonnss dduurriinngg tthhee hhoolliiddaayy sseeaassoonn??

On Christmas morning we read the biblicalaccount of Jesus’ birth and sing “Happy Birthday”to Jesus with the cake we made together the daybefore Christmas.

— Maury and Jana Miller

Picking out our tree from Newcastle Fruitand Produce, seeing the lights around theneighborhoods and celebrating New Year's withfriends.

— Trina Sooy

When it snows, we gear-up in ski attire andhike to the corner of Southeast 79th Street andCoal Creek Parkway to watch the foolhardy dri-vers try to make their way up and down 79th'ssteep hill.

— Dave Martinez

Rapid ResponseAA tthhiirrdd SSttaarrbbuucckkss iiss ooppeenniinngg wwiitthhiinntthhee NNeewwccaassttllee cciittyy lliimmiittss aatt QQFFCC..WWiillll tthhee cchhaaiinn sseeee eennoouugghh bbuussiinneessssttoo ssuuppppoorrtt aallll tthhrreeee??

The two other Starbucks seem full most of thetime. I believe a new one would be fine and willhave sufficient business. It might be nice to see aTully's or other brand of coffee as option.

— Jesse Tam

I expect so. Someone shopping at QFC proba-bly wouldn’t go to a Starbucks on the Safewayside anyway, so many would be new customers.

— Peggy Price

I've often wondered if the QFC has enoughbusiness to support its business … perhaps thelack of people will make the new Starbucks whereyou go when you're in a hurry?

— Trina Sooy

Public meetingsFrom sidewalk installation projects to snow removal to proper-

ty tax collection, decisions made by officials at a local level havethe potential to impact your daily life. Get involved. Provide feed-back. Make a difference.

Let leaders know what’s on your mind to shape a betterNewcastle at these December meetings:

The probable adoption of the city’s 2012 budget will be decidedat the City Council’s 7 p.m. Dec. 6 meeting.

The Parks Commission will meet at 6 p.m. Dec. 14.The Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Dec. 21.Meetings are held at City Hall, 12835 Newcastle Way, Suite

200. Call 649-4363 for more information.


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The first in a series of surveysconducted by the city’s ParksCommission is available onlinefor public input on parks andrecreational opportunities inNewcastle atwww.surveymonkey.com/s/KJ329WT.

The city aims to update its 20-year, city-wide ComprehensivePlan with resident input gath-ered from the surveys.

One major element of theComprehensive Plan is the Park,Trail, Recreation and OpenSpace Plan, which serves as thecity’s guide to develop its parks,recreation and open space facili-ties and programs. Informationprovided in this and future sur-veys will be used to help updatethe Newcastle PRO Plan.

Learn more by calling MichaelHolly, parks program manager,at 649-4444, ext. 142, or [email protected].

DDUUII ppaattrroollss wwiilllliinnccrreeaassee ffoorr hhoolliiddaayyss

Thanksgiving was the launchdate for a statewide campaign tonab drunken drivers throughoutthe holiday season.

The effort will continuethrough Jan. 2. The campaignmeans beefed-up DUI enforce-ment on Newcastle and KingCounty roads, as the NewcastlePolice Department, WashingtonState Patrol and other lawenforcement agencies join thecrackdown.

Washington law enforcementofficers advise all holiday party-goers to designate a sober driver,call a cab or choose not to drinkalcohol.

Officers in King County onroutine and extra patrols arrest-ed 876 people for DUI duringthe same period last year.

In addition to Newcastlepolice, officers in nearbyIssaquah, Bellevue, North Bend,Renton, Sammamish andSnoqualmie plan to participatein the extra DUI enforcement.

The anti-DUI effort is orga-nized under the King CountyTarget Zero Task Force, a region-al effort to crack down onunsafe driving practices. TargetZero managers coordinate theextra patrols. In addition, theWashington Traffic SafetyCommission provides support.

Target Zero’s goal is to elimi-nate traffic fatalities and seriousinjuries statewide by 2030.

NNaattiivviittyy ddiissppllaayy iinncclluuddeessNNeewwccaassttllee ccoonnttrriibbuuttiioonnss

The annual Festival of theNativities event, sponsored bythe Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints, will host adisplay of more than 500nativity sets from around theworld.

The display will feature con-tributions by residents ofNewcastle, Issaquah, NorthBend, Snoqualmie and Bellevue.Special choral performances willbe provided by the Seattle BellChoir and offer family activitiesfor children of all ages.

The event is from 6-9 p.m.Dec. 1, noon to 9 p.m. Dec. 2and 3, and 12:30-6:30 p.m. Dec 4.It’s free and open to the public.

The display is located off ofInterstate 90, across fromBellevue College and behind theLDS temple, 15205 S.E. 28th St.

LLooccaall mmoovviinngg bbuussiinneessssiiss hhoonnoorreedd bbyy MMaayyfflloowweerr

Rainier Moving Systems, anagent of the nationwide house-hold goods carrier Mayflower,was recently honored for excep-tional professional perfor-mance.

The Newcastle company’srecognition was awarded duringMayflower’s 2011 Convention,held in Orlando, Fla., with morethan 400 Mayflower representa-tives in attendance.

Mayflower CEO Richard H.McClure made the announce-ment of the recognition as apart of the van line’s annualawards program.

Rainier Moving Systemsreceived the Million Dollar ClubAward at the $2 million level,recognizing top Mayflower rev-enue producers, for achievementsduring the calendar year 2010.

NNeewwccaassttllee ppoolliiccee sseeeekk ccaarrbbrreeaakk--iinn iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn

The Newcastle PoliceDepartment is seeking informa-tion after three cars were brokeninto between the evening hoursof Nov. 16 and the morning ofNov. 17 in the Madison Laneand Asbury Crest neighbor-hoods, near Southeast 69thStreet and 115th Place.

The culprit or culprits enteredthe vehicles by breaking win-dows. Some of the stolen itemsof value were left in plain sight.

Report car prowls by calling206-296-3311 or online atwww.reporttosheriff.org.

If you have any information

that may assist in this investiga-tion, call 649-4444, [email protected] or filean anonymous tip atwww.ci.newcastle.wa.us.

Call 911 for officer response ifyou observe suspicious activityaround vehicles.

To help prevent car break-ins:❑ Close all windows and lock

your car.❑ Do not leave keys in the

vehicle.❑ Remove all loose items,

especially items of value, such aslaptop computers, GPS units,purses and wallets.

❑ Park your vehicle in a well-lit area.

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Newcastle Elementary Schoolfourth-grade teacher Liza Rickeyleaves no doubt that part of herteaching philosophy is to chal-lenge her students as much aspossible.

“I set high standards,” shesaid. “I expect a lot out of mystudents.”

Rickey’s philosophy recentlyhas gotten her some attention.At a ceremony in November,Rickey was named the Museumof History and Industry’s 2011Teacher of the Year.

“Rickey was being honoredfor her innovative hands-onstrategies that make social stud-ies come alive for her students,”said Tara McCauley, MOHAI’smanager for education programs.

Rickey’s award carried with ita $1,000 honorarium. By purecoincidence, Rickey had takenher class on a “Cracking theHistory Code” field trip atMOHAI the day she learned shehad won the MOHAI award.Such field trips have studentssearching for clues in the muse-um in order to gain the codethat unlocks a mystery boxgiven to visiting classes.

Newcastle school volunteerLiz Tupou said she was at first“flabbergasted” at the amountand depth of the homeworkRickey regularly assigns her stu-dents, including Tupou’s grand-child. Tupou also said Rickeyencourages parents not to helpkids too much with their home-work.

“They rise to the occasion,”Tupou said of the students.

While Rickey received herMOHAI award for her teachingof social studies, she said scienceis a passion. Her initial degreefrom the University ofWashington is in zoology.

But Rickey said when shewent looking for a job after

graduation, she realized everyjob she had previously — fromnanny to camp counselor —involved children. She alsonoticed something else aboutherself.

“I realized I was way toosocial to be sitting in a lab some-where,” said Rickey, who even-tually earned a master’s inteaching.

Presently, Rickey’s fourth-graders are studying the conceptof density. She admits it is a dif-ficult idea for them to fullyunderstand, but as seems typicalof her thinking, she also believesit is something her studentseventually can grasp. To helpthem out, Rickey has suppliedtwo definitions of the concept.The first is a simple one aimedat fourth-graders; the other isthe adult definition. Rickey isconvinced her students needand can use both.

In picking a teacher to honor,MOHAI education leaders lookat teachers who have made useof some museum resource, saidDanielle Bias, MOHAI’s market-ing officer. They then invitelocal principals to nominate ateacher, she said.

Rickey said that early in the

PAGE 6 Newcastle News DECEMBER 2, 2011

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Contributed

Planting seeds for a better tomorrowGirl Scout Troop 52220 from Newcastle Elementary School’sfourth-graders, along with two older Girls Scouts, helped at theMountains to Sound Greenway Trust volunteer events at LakeSammamish on Oct. 16. They helped plant nearly 400 native treesand shrubs along Issaquah Creek. These trees, when grown, willhelp shade the creek and provide important wildlife habitat. Fromleft to right are Lauren, Mira, Riley, Eleanor, Haley, Leah, Elise,Jaylen and Emma.

Newcastle teacher is recognized fordemanding the most of her students

school year she had studentsinvestigating what she called anexplorer’s artifact trunk suppliedby MOHAI. Students had toidentify the objects within thetrunk, things such as furs and asexton. Rickey admitted a candlemold stumped her students,who also had to come up withdifferent items they thoughtwere appropriate for the trunk.

This is Rickey’s first year atNewcastle Elementary. She pre-viously helped set up the science

magnet school program at ClarkElementary School.

Rickey said she tries anythingto engage students and involvethem in learning.

“This year, she had studentscreate a class constitution forthemselves, in lieu of just post-ing the rules,” MOHAI’sMcCauley said.

“I am a firm believer inempowering kids, in putting thelearning in their hands,” Rickeysaid.

By Tom Corrigan

Newcastle Elementary Schoolteacher Liza Rickey, recentlynamed the MOHAI Teacher of theYear for 2011, leads her fourth-grade class through a math lesson.

“I realized I was way toosocial to be sitting in a labsomewhere.”

—— LLiizzaa RRiicckkeeyy Newcastle Elementary School

fourth-grade teacher


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Saturday Morning Service10:30 AM

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The King County Council’sTransportation, Economy andEnvironment Committee willhold a special committee meet-ing to take public testimony onthe possible elimination oflower-productivity King CountyMetro Transit, including routes925 and 219 that serveNewcastle.

The meeting will include aninitial presentation on the pro-posed ordinance implementingMetro Transit’s recommendedservice changes that would gointo effect in June.

The meeting will take place at9:30 a.m. Dec. 7 at the KingCounty Council Chamber onthe 10th floor of the KingCounty Courthouse.

Residents may also emailcomments to Janice Mansfieldto [email protected] or written comments canbe mailed to Janice Mansfield,King County CouncilTransportation, Economy andEnvironment Committee, 516Third Avenue, Room 1200,Seattle, WA 98104.

The Transportation,Economy and EnvironmentCommittee is expected to acton the recommended June2012 bus service changes inearly January, with action bythe full council expected inmid-January.

The committee will take com-ments through Jan. 6.

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A woman living in the 12500block of Southeast 70th Streetreported a rock had beenthrown through a large windowof her living room after she lefther home for about 45 minutesto go shopping. The Oct. 12incident caused $400 worth ofdamage and is thought to be anattempted burglary. Nothingwas stolen from the home.

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A Newcastle man reported his2000 green Acura Integra wasstolen from his apartment Oct.14. The man told police his carhad been broken into about amonth prior, and it appeared thesuspect had tried to steal the vehi-cle then but was unsuccessful.

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Police responded to a trippedresidential alarm in the 12000block of Southeast 73rd Place onOct. 14 and found three rocksthrown through the window ofthe home. Two laptops werestolen from the residence, andthe window is expected to cost$200 to replace. The family wasout of town during the incident.

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A 14-year-old boy was cited forminor in possession after policefound him intoxicated and lyingon the ground in the fetal posi-tion Oct. 15 near the NewportCrossing Apartments. The boyhad a cut on his forehead andwas transported to the emergencyroom for medical care.

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A woman called Liberty HighSchool administrators Oct. 18to advise them her son may beunder the influence of or inpossession of marijuana. Thestudent, who had marijuana inhis backpack, was emergencyexpelled from the school andreleased to his mother. Thereport was sent to the KingCounty Youth Center prosecu-tor for further investigation.

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While conducting an areacheck near NewcastleElementary School on Oct. 21,an officer found a vehicle in theparking lot with its rear windowsmashed. The officer contactedthe owner who said he was outof town. The incident caused$500 worth of damage.

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A Newcastle man reported hisblack 2007 Pontiac Solstice withWashington license plates was

stolen Oct. 28 from the drivewayof his home in the 9000 block of140th Avenue Southeast.

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A Seattle man reported sever-al items were stolen from hisunlocked vehicle Oct. 24 atLiberty High School, includingtwo laptops, a Movado watchand personal items. The loss isestimated at $5,085.

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A 15-year-old student wastaken into custody Oct. 26 forfourth-degree assault after hereportedly shoved a teacher atthe Renton Academy. As theofficer was gathering informa-tion, the student attempted towalk off of the school’s premis-es. The officer placed the stu-dent in a patrol vehicle, wherethe student was verbally aggres-sive toward the officer. The stu-dent spit at the officer while intransit, but the vehicle’sPlexiglass stopped it. The casehas been forwarded to theJuvenile Prosecutor’s Office.

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A Newcastle man reportedseveral teenagers smashedpumpkins and emptied numer-ous bags of trash in the entrypatio of his Southeast 86thStreet residence Oct. 31. Theman said he’s had problemswith juveniles ringing his door-bell on several occasions. An

officer contacted the juvenilesand their parents said theywould handle the situation.

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A man reportedly tried to passa counterfeit $20 bill Oct. 28 atthe Newcastle McDonald’s onNewcastle Way. The man got intoa gray or black Dodge Durangowith Washington license platesand left before police arrived.

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A man said he would payabout $350 in restitution after hevandalized a double-paned win-dow with a fist-sized rock whilepossibly intoxicated Oct. 30 atthe Coal Creek Apartments. Themanager of the property said hewould not pursue charges if resti-tution was made.

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A Newcastle woman said her116th Avenue Southeast homehad been burglarized after a sus-pect appeared to enter the resi-dence through a bedroom win-dow. An Apple laptop worth$450 was stolen.

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A window at NewcastleElementary School was brokenbetween the evening of Oct. 24and the morning of Oct. 25after an unknown suspect threwa rock and shattered the exteriorground-floor window. The inci-dent caused $500 in damage.

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A Newcastle man reportedhis $300 bass guitar and about adozen necklaces valued at $100were stolen sometime betweenOct. 24 and 27 from his 118thAvenue Southeast home. Therewas no sign of forced entry.

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A Newcastle woman reportedsometime during the first twoweeks of October someone hadapplied an orange irritant, suchas pepper spray, to the inside ofher car. She paid $600 to cleanthe interior of her car andwanted the incident document-ed for insurance purposes. Shesaid she often leaves her carunlocked or leaves the windowscracked and that may be howthe substance was applied.

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Police responded to the reportof a window broken out of avehicle at the Cedar RimApartments on 110th AvenueSoutheast. Two vehicles, a 2010Subaru Forrester and a 2011Subaru Outback, had windowsbroken out. The incident caused$300 in damages and a $1,000scanner was stolen.

No reports from the month of Novemberwere available as of press time. TheNewcastle News publishes names of thosearrested for DUI and those charged withfelony crimes. Information comes directlyfrom local police reports.

Police blotter

Diamond Award in the youthcategory.

Coburn has volunteered atNewcastle Days, and for ArborDay and various Weed Warriorevents since 2008. He plays inHazen High School’s jazz bandand played at Newcastle’s EarthDay event in 2011.

Deex, a Liberty High Schoolstudent, is a member of thehonor society and tutors studentsbefore school, and he mentors aNewcastle boy with autism eachweek through the Athletes forKids buddy program. DuringDeex’s Eagle Scout project, heorganized service projects to ben-efit the East May Creek Trail.

Cathy Dean, a first-gradeteacher at Hazelwood

Elementary School, was awardedthe education award for her abil-ity to build good relationshipswith students that enable themto achieve a strong educationalfoundation.

Valley Medical Center washonored in the business catego-ry. The medical center was rec-ognized for stepping up duringtough economic times tobecome the main sponsor ofNewcastle Days.

Newcastle resident Trina Sooywas selected for an award in thecommunity service category forher volunteer work through theCoal Creek YMCA and herefforts as a healthy living advo-cate in the community.

Mayor John Dulcich present-ed Mutual Materials with a spe-cial recognition award for thecompany’s longtime ties to thecommunity. The company start-ed more than 100 years ago, butshut down its Newcastle site thisyear due to the sluggish econo-

my. The company is studying the

area to determine options forredevelopment.

“I’d like to thank them fortheir past presence in this com-munity, their current presence… and also their future,”Dulcich said. “It’s a legacy thatthey’re going to leave to thiscommunity as they chose toredevelop the site. They’ve madea commitment to the city thatwhether they’re involved or notas development goes forward,they want it to be somethingtheir family would be proud of.”

Newcastle has received severalrecent distinctions, includingthe city’s selection as the 18thbest place to live in the UnitedStates by Money magazine thisyear, and the awards are a timeto appreciate the people andbusinesses that make those dis-tinctions possible, Blakley said.

“We, too, realize what aremarkable community this is,”

she said. “We’re really anengaged, wonderful community,and it’s very important to recog-nized the importance of the vol-unteers here.”

About 75 people turned outfor the eighth annual event atThe Golf Club at Newcastle. Thechamber collects nominations

from the public for the awardseach fall.

“We get to recognize volun-teers, and that’s really helpedbuild the city,” Dulcich said. “Itseparates us from other cities,because we feel we’re the besthere and will continue to bemoving forward.”


Photos by Christina Lords

Valley Medical Center representatives accept the Diamond Award for the business category.

Roland Deex (left) and Kent Coburn were awarded in the youth category.

AAwwaarrddssFrom Page 1

Trina Sooy (left) was awarded in the community service category andCathy Dean (right) was honored in the education category.

The organization known asRenton Pools Community hasagain begun work to raise fundsto keep Renton School Districtswimming pools open for anoth-er school year.

In June, the group exceededtheir fundraising goal to keepthe pools at Hazen andLindbergh high schools open forthis school year.

And while the additionalfunds raised have been carriedover for next year’s pool opera-tions, now the organization willbegin work to raise the remain-ing $40,000 to reach the$60,000 goal to keep the poolsopen for the 2012-13 schoolyear.

Because of continued state

budget cuts to education, it isincreasingly difficult for the dis-trict to continue to fund twopools while making cuts to pro-grams, according to the RentonSchool District.

District students on swim anddive teams, including teamsfrom nearby Kentridge HighSchool in the Kent SchoolDistrict, use the pools. Many pri-vate swim clubs and communitymembers also use the pools forswim meets, practice, lessonsand leisure.

The groups pay fees to use thepools. For the past three years,Renton Pools Community hasraised funds to help cover a por-tion of the operating costs. Evenwith that contribution, and fees

charged to outside groups, thedistrict continues to providesubstantial financial support tooperate the pools.

The district will place a bondmeasure before voters Feb. 14 tocontinue school building reno-vation projects throughout thedistrict, including making reno-vations to the pool building at

Lindbergh High School. The district is implementing

energy conservation and effi-ciency improvements at thepools — like those that have

been successful elsewhere in thedistrict — and pool programs arebeing adjusted to generate addi-tional revenue during underuti-lized times.

Community group seeks donationsto keep Hazen, Lindbergh pools open

Contributed

High school swimmers prepare for a meet at the Hazen High Schoolpool.

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Learn more about the organiza-tion at the Renton PoolsCommunity Facebook page oremail [email protected].


BByy PPaatt DDeettmmeerr

When I was5 years old, Itook tap-danc-ing lessons,and at 12 Isang Gregorianchants in theCatholicchurch choir.At 14, I taughtmyself how toplay guitar,and at 17 I used that guitar withmy singing group — The SheBops — when we were on stagein high school or on TV tryingto win the Davenport, Iowa, ver-sion of Ted Mack's AmateurHour.

I once called in sick and wentto the Seattle Center, location ofa national barbershop quartetconference, just in the hopesthat some spontaneous singing

might break out. My mother andtwo sisters and I could producesome pretty decent four-part har-mony ourselves, and my step-daughter (brave child) has askedthe Detmer sisters and Newcastleniece to sing "Going to theChapel" at her wedding in April.

The above history explainswhy you might spot me stridingalong the sidewalk singing tomy iPod, or abruptly striking adramatic pose a la John Travoltain "Saturday Night Fever." I'll dothat in store aisles as well if thepiped-in music moves me.Sometimes I simply cannot helpmyself.

This brings me to a couple ofweeks ago. I was walking to ahair appointment, happy to beable to hit the streets withoutwearing a rain slicker inNovember. It's not a toughwalk — a couple of miles, tops,from Olympus to the 44th

Street exit — but it does go upand down some pretty substan-tial hills. I was lost in the effortand the moment, listening tomy iPod, which is filled withsingles that I love but was toocheap to buy in an album or aCD.

Linda Ronstadt was singing"When Will I Be Loved" as I hur-ried across the parking lot to thehair salon. As I was nearing thedoor, I knew that Linda's plain-tive final line: "Tell mewheeennn will Ahh be-e-e<pause> looovvved!" was comingup. Through the salon window Icould see Malinda, my hairdress-er, leaning against the frontdesk. The timing of my entrancewas perfect, so I threw open thedoor, crossed the threshold andsang the above line at the top ofmy lungs.

I'm self-employed, and usual-ly get my hair cut at nonpeaktimes like ... oh ...9:30 onWednesday, or 2 on Tuesdayafternoon, so I figured that belt-ing out Linda Ronstadt with nopreface was going to be heard byMalinda and a few others. Butthis was Saturday at 11 a.m.

Imagine my surprise when I real-ized that not only was every sta-tion filled, but people were wait-ing as well.

Malinda gave me a new nick-name: The One-Person Flash Mob.

I think I'll keep it. It makesfor a handy excuse.

You can reach Pat Detmer and see a pic-ture of her singing at a Family Servicesfundraiser at patdetmer.com.

PPaatt DDeettmmeerr

I got the music in meLaughing all the way

ward, and it seems reasonable.”The city has worked to trim the

budget over the past three yearsand the city must cover the costof inflation so services and resi-dents’ quality of life don’t deterio-rate over time, CouncilwomanCarol Simpson said.

Councilman Rich Crispo saidwhile he supports taking the 1percent increase, the city mustdo a better job of seeking othersources of revenue.

The city’s portion of a resi-dent’s property tax will cost anadditional $11 next year for a$516,000 home — the typicalhome price in Newcastle as

assessed by King County.Financial director Christine

Olson said the city took theallowable 1 percent increase inproperty taxes last year, butreduced the city’s surface waterfee to offset increases. Thatreduction is still in affect for the2012 budget.

In November, the councildirected city staff members tocome back to the table withother alternatives to balance thebudget, including proposals tocut services and/or staff andrestoring $140,000 to the 2011general reserve fund after it wasmistakenly transferred to theparks fund in 2006.

Members of the public spokeout against eliminating MichaelHolly’s parks manager positionand canceling community events,which could create a possible

BBuuddggeettFrom Page 1

$71,000 in savings for the city.Several members of the city’s

Parks Commission said the man-ager position should not be cutbecause it is too vital to thework of the commission andpublic parkland must be main-tained at a high level.

“We have it, we need to man-age it,” said Jesse Tam, ParksCommission member. “If we

manage it well, we can continueto increase the value of theproperty within the city andalso retain a quality of life we’reall very proud of.”

Under union rules in theevent of a layoff, the parks man-ager would have the option toreplace a lower seniorityemployee in the same uniongroup. The person in the lower

position would then be theemployee laid off.

Grace Stiller, an organizer ofthe area’s Weed Warriors group,said she hopes to see minimalcuts made to parks-related fund-ing because while volunteerismis an integral part of Newcastle,projects can lose focus withoutsome level of organization anddirection from the city.


As Amie Tabiando dancesaround the room, she clutches aplush Eeyore stuffed animal lov-ingly to her chest.

Her smile widens as shereveals him to a cluster ofsmaller children surroundingher lithe frame. Tabiando liftsEeyore up and down, twirlingand sashaying with him wher-ever she goes.

But soon she’ll trade thatEeyore in for a more well-known prop for one of the holi-day season’s most beloved bal-lets — a Nutcracker.

She, along with more than60 of the Cornerstone Studio’s200 students, can be found atthe Newport Hills studio everySaturday and Sunday gearing upfor their annual holiday perfor-mance, putting in long hourson top of their regularly sched-uled dance classes.

Lea Lo, studio owner andartistic director, said the stu-dio’s performance of the balletis an affordable, family-friendlyactivity with something forevery audience.

“People that come to this getthat traditional underlying story,but they also get to experiencenew aspects as well,” Lo said.“It’s a traditional holiday story,but we try to give it a new spin.”

The performances will takeplace at 1 and 6 p.m. Dec. 17and Dec. 18 at Bellevue

College’s Carlson Theatre.Tickets are $20 in advance or$22 at the door.

About 25 of those perform-ing call Newcastle home.

The studio’s Nutcracker per-formances have evolved fromexcerpts of the ballet to full-fledged performances with elab-orate sets, backdrops and cos-tumes, Lo said.

Each year the performance istweaked — this year’s balletincludes a section of breakdanc-ing — so audience members canview a fresh twist on the oldclassic, she said.

Shelby Toy, who plays one of

the Little Chinese roles, said sheenjoys the costuming of theperformance most.

The 6-year-old fromNewcastle said she was a GingerSnap last year and hopes tosomeday take on roles such asthe Sugar Plum Fairy.

Emma Mason, 11, said thateach year dancers are exposedto new steps and performanceopportunities through theannual show.

“We’ve all worked reallyhard on this,” she said, “and Ithink the audience will reallyappreciate the practice we’veput into it.”

Each of the studio’s four per-formances sold out last year.

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Contributed

Emma Mason, of Newcastle, strikes a pose as the part of Fritz during the 2010 Cornerstone Studio produc-tion of ‘The Nutcracker’ at Bellevue College.

Newcastle dancers shine in Nutcracker performance

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❑ Buy tickets at www.brown-papertickets.com by searching for“The Nutcracker” under thesearch criteria bar on the left sideof the screen. ❑ Learn more about the perfor-mance at the studio’s website atwww.cornerstonestudio.com.

Cornerstone Studiooffers fresh take onan old classic

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With a cast featuring perform-ers from 3 to well over 60 yearsold, including residents ofNewcastle, the third annual BlueDog Dance production of “ThePolar Express” will be Dec. 16 and17 at Renton’s Carco Theater.

Performances are at 6:30 p.m.Dec. 16 and 3 and 6 p.m. Dec. 17.Tickets are $10 and are availableonline at www.bluedogdance.com.

After choreographing a“Nutcracker” performance, BlueDog Dance Director BarbaraWalshe was looking for some-thing new to try — something toshowcase many different aspectsof performance art as well as bal-let. Inspiration came while lis-tening to the soundtrack of “ThePolar Express” with her family.

She envisioned tapping elves,flipping wolves, dancing reindeerand breakdancing chefs withsingers and actors to help tell thestory of a child who doesn'tbelieve in Santa Claus and endsup on a train to the North Polealong with other doubters.

The production’s sets havebecome more elaborate each year.

Walshe’s first production useddance interpretation, singers andactors in pantomime to tell thestory. The second year, sheadded speaking parts and moresinging roles.

This year, the studio wasawarded a Make Art Happen inRenton grant from the RentonMunicipal Arts Commission.The grant will pay for a new setmural of the North Pole.

More than 90 local perform-ers from Bellevue, Newcastle,Issaquah, Maple Valley andRenton make up the production.

This year the production isunder the acting direction of LisaEdwards, a Newcastle resident.


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Longbefore thefirst ballotwas mailedback to KingCounty,IssaquahSchoolDistrict resi-dents wereguaranteed ofseeing at leastone new face on their schoolboard of directors next year.

Bellevue resident Anne Mooreran unopposed for the DistrictOne seat being vacated by cur-rent board president JanColbrese.

“I will always be deeplyinvested in the Issaquah SchoolDistrict,” Colbrese said.

But after what will be 12years on the board, Colbresesaid that following discussionswith her husband, she decided itwas time to move on. She fur-ther noted that all of her chil-dren have now graduated fromdistrict schools.

Colbrese announced her deci-sion not to run in June, prior tothe election filing deadline.

Issaquah School District 1 coversan area of the district to thewest of Issaquah and south toCoalfield and north to LakeSammamish.

While board candidates runfor specific geographic seats, vot-ers from across the district castballots for all board members.Issaquah School Board memberseach serve four-year terms.Board members may request payof $50 per meeting, but the cur-rent board has chosen not totake that money, said SaraNiegowski, district executivedirector of communications.

Moore described herself as nostranger to the district, havingserved with the PTSA and onvarious district committees for14 years. For example, Mooreserved on numerous bond andlevy committees, including thecommittee that made initial rec-ommendations for the bondquestion that will be in front ofvoters in April. She said joiningthe school board feels like a nat-ural progression of her pastinvolvement with the schools.

Talking about the bond issue,Moore said she does not believethe schools have been lavish intheir recent capital improve-

ments or with the projects nowunder consideration. One currentboard member voiced a hope thenew performing arts center atIssaquah High School is not “toobeautiful,” possibly convincingvoters officials have gone over-board with improvements.

“It was time to rebuildIssaquah High School,” Mooresaid referring to the overall newconstruction at the school.Because they hoped groups fromoutside the schools might beable to use the facility, Mooresaid some community memberslobbied for the new performingarts center to be larger than it is.

In general, Moore said hergoals on the board will remain

the same as they were when sheserved on school committees orin the PTSA. In short, she wantsto ensure that when studentsleave Issaquah schools, they areready for whatever comes next,be that college or entering thejob market.

“I think there is more weneed to be doing in the area ofSTEM (science, technology, engi-neering and math,)” Moore said.

As for the never-ending ques-tions regarding state funding ofschools, Moore said she hasworked in the past and will con-tinue to work to adjust the levylids that in her opinion hurt theproperty tax collections of thedistrict especially when com-

pared with surrounding districts. At 49, Moore still has chil-

dren in district schools. Now astay-at-home parent, she previ-ously spent 12 years as an elec-trical engineer for IBM.

Bellevue residentAnne Moore readiesto join school board

AAnnnnee MMoooorree

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CommunityPAGE 12 DECEMBER 2, 2011

Newport Way LibraryAssociation Meeting —7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, Newport WayLibrary, 14250 S.E. NewportWay, Bellevue

The Newcastle Trailsboard meets the first Mondayof the month at 7 p.m. at theRegency Newcastle, 7454Newcastle Golf Club Road.

YYMMCCAA

The Coal Creek FamilyYMCA, located at 13750Newcastle Golf Club Road, hasregular family programs for allages throughout the summer.For a complete schedule, call282-1500 or go to www.seattle-

ymca.org/Locations/CoalCreek/Pages/Home.aspx.

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The Newport WayLibrary is at 14250 S.E.Newport Way, Bellevue. It willbe closed for the Christmas holi-day Dec. 24 and 25. The follow-ing programs are offered the restof the month:

❑ eReader and DigitalDownload Demonstration, foradults and teens, 1 p.m. Dec. 11

❑ Computer class: “WordLevel 1,” for adults and teens,7:30 p.m. Dec. 14

❑ Opera preview: “Attila,” foradults, 7 p.m. Dec. 27

❑ Baby Rhyming Time, forchildren and families, 10:15 a.m.

❑ Young Toddler Story Time,for ages 1-2 with an adult, 10:15a.m. Tuesdays

❑ Toddler Story Time, forages 2-3 with an adult, 11:15a.m. Tuesdays

❑ Preschool Story Time, for

ages 3-5 with an adult, 1 p.m.Tuesdays

❑ Baby Rhyming Time, forchildren and families, 10:15 a.m.Wednesdays

❑ World Language StoryTime, for children and their

The 2012 Pinewood Derby —Cub Scout Pack 738’s largestevent of the year (at left) —pairs adults with children todesign and build small racecars. This year’s derby will beheld Jan. 15 at NewcastleElementary School.

Learn more by contactingJohn Dietz, committee member,through the pack’s website atwww.pack105pa.org/publicsite/unithome.aspx?UID=7627 andclicking on the “Contact OurPack” link at the top of thepage.

I N T H E S P O T L I G H T

Cub Scout Pack 738hosts annualPinewood Derby

January 2012

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December 2011

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The Newcastle Chamberof Commerce presents thefree teleseminar “How Notto Gain Weight Over theHolidays” from 5:30-6:45 p.m.Dec. 7. Sign up at http://heal-inghypnotherapy.com/events-classes/free-teleseminar-5-tips-on-how-not-to-gain-holiday-weight.Contact Jackie Foskett [email protected] or227-8120 to learn more.

Festival of the Nativities,featuring a display of more than500 nativity sets from aroundthe word, including contribu-tions from Newcastle residents,is from noon to 9 p.m. Dec. 2and 3 and 12:30-6:30 p.m. Dec.4 at the Church of Jesus Christof Latter-day Saints, 15205 S.E.28th St., Bellevue.

The Newcastle Chamberof Commerce monthly lun-cheon is from 11 a.m. to 12:15p.m. Dec. 14 at Tapatio MexicanGrill, 6920 Coal Creek ParkwayS.E. Guest speaker is businesscoach Chad Rudolph. Cost is$20. RSVP by [email protected].

The Newcastle WeedWarriors next project is main-tenance and restoration workfrom 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 14 atLake Boren, 13058 S.E. 84thWay.

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All city public meetingsare at City Hall, 12835 NewcastleWay, Suite 200. Call 649-4363.City Hall will be closed Dec. 26for holiday observance.

❑ City Council — 7-10 p.m.Dec. 6

❑ Parks Commission —6-8 p.m. Dec. 14

❑ City Council — 7-10 p.m.Dec. 20

❑ Planning Commission —7-9 p.m. Dec. 21

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� Middle School studentsʼ scores in Math, Reading, Writing and Science are among the highest in Washington

� Issaquah seniors lead the State and the nation in student scores on college entrance exams (SAT, ACT) and in participation rates

� On-Time Graduation rate for Issaquah students is 95.6% – one of the top rates in Washington

� 78 National Board Certified teachers and 70.4 percent of educators with at least a Master’s degree or higher

� Issaquah educators provide a wide range of quality instruction for at- risk students, English Language Learners, and students with disabilities through reading support, math support, student learning plans, transition plans, GLAD, and other special programs

� Issaquah educators provide quality instruction to excelling students through MERLIN, SAGE, Honors, Advanced Placement, College in the High School, and the International Baccalaureate Program (IB)

� Elementary studentsʼ scores in Math, Reading, Writing and Science are among the highest in Washington

� Recognized as a regional leader in promoting Respect and Responsibility and other character-building programs for our students

ISSAQUAH EDUCATORS DELIVER

QUALITY EDUCATION TO OUR STUDENTS

The Issaquah Education Association proudly salutes our

educators during American Education Week.

families, 1:30 p.m. Saturdays❑ Study Hall, for teens, chil-

dren and families, 3 p.m.Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays

❑ Study Zone, for teens, chil-dren and families, 3 p.m.Thursdays

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East Shore Singles, a socialgroup for single adults olderthan 45, sponsors monthlyactivities and special events onthe Eastside. New members arewelcome. Call 433-0558 for amonthly bulletin go towww.eastshoresingles.org orwww.meetup.com/eastshore-singles.

The Society of Artists forNewcastle, an art organization,is seeking new members. Call271-5822.

MOMS Club of Rentonmeets for play dates at parks andother locations. New activitiesare planned daily. This nonprof-it, nonreligious organizationprovides daytime support formoms and their families. Call260-3079.

Bridge players are want-ed, evening or daytime. Gamestake place at various homes inthe Hazelwood area. Call 255-0895.

Newcastle HistoricalSociety meets at 4 p.m. thefirst Thursday at City Hall,13020 S.E. 72nd Place. Call 226-4238.

An international dinner,sponsored by Baha’i Faith ofNewcastle, is at 6:30 p.m. thethird Friday. Call 430-8047.

Drinking Liberally, aninformal progressive socialgroup that discusses politics,meets at 7 p.m. the first andthird Thursday at Angelo’sRestaurant, 1830 130th Ave.N.E., Bellevue. Go towww.drinkingliberally.org.

Eastside Mothers & More,a social network for mothers,meets from 7-9 p.m. the secondTuesday in the North Room atEast Shore Unitarian Church,12700 S.E. 32nd St., Bellevue.

Go to www.eastsidemothersand-more.org.

Hill ’N Dale Garden Club,meets at 6 p.m. the first MondaySeptember through June at theNewport Way Library, 14250 S.E.Newport Way. Call 255-9705.

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Angel Care Breast CancerFoundation-trained survivorsoffer free emotional support tothe newly diagnosed, enhancingemotional recovery while goingthrough treatments. Go towww.angelcarefoundation.org.

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Work parties continuefrom 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10and Dec. 18 on the May CreekTrail extension east to CoalCreek Parkway. Scouts fromseveral troops will work onboth ends of the new trail, butmore volunteers are needed.Newcastle Trails is a nonprofitorganization that can providecertificates of community ser-vice. Supervisors are also wel-come. Adults who can movealong the trail, keep people ontask and answer questions arealso needed. Contact PeggyPrice at 829-2196 or [email protected] for more informa-tion.

The Regional Coalitionfor Housing has a volunteerposition opening on its CitizenAdvisory Board. The board con-sists of 12-15 community resi-dents and housing professionalsthat work with ARCH staff toevaluate local housing fundingproposals and increase aware-ness of housing issues on theEastside. The board meets oneWednesday evening a month fortwo hours. Learn more atwww.archhousing.org. Apply bycontacting Arthur Sullivan at861-3677 or [email protected].

The Coal Creek FamilyYMCA Seniors Programneeds volunteers for intergenera-tional opportunities, includingrocking and comforting infants,teaching children to play bridgeand reading to kindergartners.Call 282-1506.

Newcastle WeedWarriors: Volunteers assist cityworkers in removing noxiousand invasive weeds fromNewcastle parks, trails and openspaces. Youth groups, communi-ty groups and individuals areinvited to participate in month-ly environmental stewardshipprojects. Learn more atwww.NewcastleWeedWarriors.org.

Newcastle Trails - TrailAdvocates and Builders forNewcastle: The group has builtand maintained miles of trailsfor the public throughout thecity, and has regular meetingsand work parties. Call 453-9292,ext. 110. Learn more atwww.newcastletrails.org.

King County LibrarySystem’s Words on Wheelsprogram needs volunteers toselect and deliver library materi-als to homebound patrons.Training is provided. A one-yearcommitment is required.Volunteers must be at least 18,have their own transportationand be able to pass aWashington State Patrol back-ground check. Call 369-3235.

Dependency CASA (CourtAppointed SpecialAdvocate): Community volun-teers advocate for the best inter-ests of abused and neglectedchildren in King County. Call269-3201.

DAWN (Domestic Abused

Women’s Network): Providesservices to survivors of domesticviolence in King County. Call795-1441.

Grace Children’s Charity:Provides essential school sup-plies for impoverished children.Call 430-0300.

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Cougar MountainRegional Wildland Park,on Lakemont BoulevardSoutheast, is a 3,000-acre parkwith more than 30 miles oftrails and the site of the 1880scoalmines. Go towww.metrokc.gov/parks.

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The title star in “Annie GetYour Gun” — sharpshooterAnnie Oakley, a folk heroine —is a coveted role for actresses. So,too, is Elphaba, the green-tintedprotagonist in “Wicked” and awitch infamous for menacingOz.

Vicki Noon claims both roles— Elphaba in “Wicked” as themega-musical embarked on anational tour and Oakley in therecently opened production atVillage Theatre.

The actress, a Liberty HighSchool graduate, said the tiesbetween the characters, outcastElphaba and country bumpkinOakley, extend beyond the per-son in the role.

“Both of them have kind ofbeen on their own,” she said.“Both of them have kind of hadto fend for themselves and pullup their bootstraps and get onwith their life. They’re both veryindependent people.”

“Annie Get Your Gun”opened at Village Theatre onNov. 9 and runs through theholiday season.

“For me, it’s one of those ulti-mate female empowerment sto-ries,” said Kristin Culp, a co-choreographer on the show.“The song at the end, ‘AnythingYou Can Do,’ it’s a story about ifyou put your mind to doinganything, you can really becomea star or the best, no matter whoyou are or what your upbringingis.”

The proto-feminist Oakley is achallenge for actresses in therole.

“You have to do the thingsthat scare you, especially whenyou’re an actress,” Noon said

before donning a red-and-turquoise getup for a photoshoot. “You have to put yourselfin a situation that might scareyou or make you feel a littleuncomfortable. That’s the onlyway that you grow.”

The lead characters in “AnnieGet Your Gun” and “Wicked”transform into adults as themusicals unfold — a lesson notlost on Noon.

“The role of Elphaba is every-thing that someone who lovesto sing and perform aspires to,”she said. “For women in theater,it’s the role.”

Still, the character can exact atoll on actresses due to the con-stant demands.

“Elphaba is a beast of a roleand after doing it for threeyears, I think I needed a littlebreak,” Noon said. “I wanted torest my voice, and see my familyand friends.”

Noon studied the “Annie GetYour Gun” film adaptationreleased in 1950 and YouTubeclips from recent stage produc-tions.

“When I’m reading the script,every line out of Annie’s mouthis funny,” she said. “I just hope Ido her justice.”

The musical meant the leadactress needed to trade the pop

sensibilities in “Wicked” for thecountry twang required to por-tray Oakley.

Producers modeled theVillage Theatre musical on amuch-lauded 1999 Broadwayrevival. Bernadette Peters andReba McEntire starred in thetitle role.

In the local staging, theOakley role is more McEntireand less Peters. (The countrymusic superstar stepped in afterPeters left the show.)

“Annie Oakley, the characterin this show, she really is a cari-cature,” Noon said. “The accentis over the top. To step into thisfun, outlandish person, she’s ahoot.”

Culp said the local produc-tion adds the athletic and grace-ful dances missing from the clas-sic film. (The film relied moreon horseback riding rather thandancing.)

“Annie really goes through atransformation, because at thetop of the show, she’s a fantasticshooter, but she comes from ahumble upbringing and doesn’tknow how to read,” she said.“By the end of the show, she’sreally established herself as a

world champion.”Noon, 26, returned to the

area for the “Annie Get YourGun” role. The actress, a formerforward on the girls soccer teamat Liberty High School, balancedcommitments at Village Theatreand on the soccer field as ateenager.

Longtime Village TheatreArtistic Director Steve Tomkins,a mentor and a friend, askedNoon to consider the Oakleyrole after she settled in theRenton Highlands area afterthe “Wicked” commitmentended.

“A lot of my friends, when Itold them I was thinking aboutdoing this, were like, ‘Oh my

gosh! That’s such a great showfor you,’ and I had no idea,” shesaid.

Noon gradated from LibertyHigh School in 2003. SanFrancisco Giants pitcher TimLincecum is a classmate andfriend.

“I would come to rehearsalsin my soccer stuff,” she said. “I’dshow up in my team uniform —sweaty with my hair in a pony-tail. I’d be taking my shinguards off right at the top ofrehearsal.”

The chance to star as Oakleyin “Annie Get Your Gun” is ahomecoming for the actress.

“I always say that I grew up atVillage Theatre,” Noon said.

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‘‘AAnnnniiee GGeett YYoouurr GGuunn’’❑ Village Theatre — Francis J.Gaudette Theatre❑ 303 Front St. N., Issaquah❑ Through Dec. 31❑ Show times vary❑ $22 to $62❑ 392-2202 or

www.villagetheatre.org

Liberty High School gradloves the title role in‘Annie Get Your Gun’

By Jay Koh/Village Theatre

Liberty High School alumna Vicki Noon stars in the title role of 'AnnieGet Your Gun' at Village Theatre.

“Annie Oakley, the characterin this show, she really is acaricature. The accent isover the top. To step into thisfun, outlandish person,she’s a hoot.”

—— VViicckkii NNoooonnLiberty High School alumna

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Everywhere they go, theyhear music. Whether it is thering of the school bell or thewail of a police siren, they canrecognize the subtle notes.

The world of three Hazen HighSchool orchestra students revolvesaround music and it all began atHazelwood Elementary School.

For Hazen seniors KentCoburn, Ena Kim and StephanieLee, orchestra has been animportant part of their lives,ever since they first picked uptheir instruments at Hazelwood.

For Coburn, it was the stringbass; for Kim it was the viola;and for Lee it was the cello.

Initially, though, they allwanted to play different instru-ments.

“We all wanted to play bandinstruments,” Kim said. “That’skind of funny.”

The three have been very suc-cessful with their music. They’vewon numerous awards at thelocal, regional and state levels,and will perform with theSeattle Philharmonic Orchestrain an upcoming concert.

Every Wednesday for the pastfive years, they’ve shared theirmusical talents with studentsfrom the Renton School Districtthrough the after-school pro-gram East Hill String Lessons.

The program allows youngerstudents from the district toreceive one-on-one stringlessons from older students inhigh school and middle school.

Coburn, Kim and Lee havebeen tutors since the program’sinception five years ago, andthey’ve all learned valuablelessons along the way.

“I think after I’ve done it solong, I actually like teaching,”Lee said. “I never really knewthat before.”

Coburn believes tutoringpushed him to stay on top of histechnical musical skills.

“It really does help you musi-cally, because you start to realizehow much of a hypocrite youare for telling students to do cer-tain things and you don’t do ityourself,” he said.

Kim enjoys watching thegrowth of her young students.

“I just like seeing these kidsgrow up,” she said. “We sawthem perform last year whenthey were eighth-graders andthey improved so much.”

Lee admitted that the stu-dents, who are affectionatelyreferred to as cherubs among thetutors, have a special place inher heart.

“I think I’ve actually gonesoft,” she said. “The kids havetheir way with me.”

As seniors, this will be theirlast year as tutors with the pro-gram. They will be sorelymissed, according to ElizabethPetersen and Sharon Olsen, co-

supervisors ofthe program.

“They exem-plify leaders,”Petersen said.“They’re hereevery week,they’re faithfuland they’reexcited. It’sbeen fun towatch themgrow intoyoung adults.”

“I’ll miss theirdedication andtheir willingnessto be a part ofanything,” Olsensaid. “Whetherit’s their playingor whether it’s their students,it’s never halfway with them.”

All three are destined for col-lege after they graduate. Theymay not choose to major inmusic, but they all agree it’simportant to find a way to keep

it in their life.“It really is amazing playing in

an orchestra,” Coburn said. “It’sgoing to stay a part of my life.”

When asked to share advicefor any future cherubs hoping tofollow in their footsteps at

Hazelwood, Kim had a simpleanswer.

“Don’t quit playing,” she said.

Christina Corrales-Toy is a student in theUniversity of Washington Department ofCommunication News Laboratory.

Hazen orchestra students share their passion for music

Photos by Christina Corrales-Toy

Warming up before East HillString Lessons program starts are(from left) Hazen High Schoolseniors Ena Kim, Stephanie Leeand Kent Coburn.


Although NewcastleElementary School librarianLaura Berry has come in contactwith thousands of books overher lifetime, she distinctlyremembers sitting down andreading “Mike Mulligan and HisSteam Shovel” as a small child.

Thanks to the school’s annualGift-A-Book campaign, whichallows children and parents toselect books to donate to theschool’s library, Newcastle willbe able to add the 60-year-oldstory to its growing collection.

“It’s still a great story, and it’snice to have a library-bound edi-tion of it,” Berry said. “One ofour first-graders chose that. Heand his family donated threewonderful books.”

There have been 114 hardcov-er, library-bound books donatedfor students to use for years tocome, she said.

And with continued cutbackshanded down from the stateLegislature, those contributionswill mean all the difference tolibrarians like Berry.

Curriculum funding for newmaterials for the library hasdwindled in the past severalyears, going from $14 per stu-dent to $7 per student to $3.50per student, she said. TheIssaquah School District has cutthat support to zero dollars inthe past two years due to thecutbacks.

Parents have stepped up in a

big way through the school’scampaign to make sure childrenhave the books they need to suc-ceed, Berry said.

“Our community is reallysupportive, and we’re reallylucky we have such a strong pro-gram that parents and kids wantto donate to,” she said. “Notevery school in every school dis-trict has that luxury that wedo.”

The other major fundraiserthat provides new materials forthe library is the school’s PTSA-sponsored book fair.

Parents contribute to the Gift-A-Book campaign in two ways.Some parents donate a dollaramount to go toward books ofthe librarian’s choice list or theycan select a specific book from awish list from the schoollibrary’s website.

If the book a student wantsfor the library isn’t on the list,

students can request other titlesand special orders are made.

Students can chose anythingthat interests them, includingnonfiction Zoobooks aboutwildlife, mystery books or popu-lar children’s series.

Children are able to choosebooks that will benefit thelibrary in perpetuity, Berry said.

“The thing that’s really niceabout Gift-A-Book is that it’ssomething that they can pick sothey know they’ll have booksthey’re interested in,” she said.“You get a nice variety of booksthat are timely, current anddesired. The kids want to readthose books.”

Andrew Frederick, 7, a first-grader, said he selected the

“Lego Star Wars CharacterEncyclopedia” because he hasseen all of the movies and want-ed to share more about StarWars with other students.

“I have a friend, and he likesLegos and Star Wars, too,” hesaid.

His sister, Claire Frederick, 10,chose to select “The Son ofNeptune,” the second of fivebooks in Rick Riordan’s fantasyseries “The Heroes of Olympus.”

She said she loves readingchapter books about fairies andmagical creatures. The series,which includes characters inRoman and Greek mythology, ishighly popular among studentsright now, Berry said.

Students are recognized in a

Gift-A-Book display outside thelibrary area and get to sign theirname on a personalized book-plate inside their selected book.

Berry said she’ll continue tocontact her state legislators toexplain how budget cuts areaffecting public schools, butuntil funding is restored, shesaid she’s grateful for communi-ty support for the school.

“It really does bring so muchto the school when parents areinvolved,” she said. “They’re rec-ognizing we need more books inour library that kids want tohave. There’s something specialabout putting your name in abook and picking it out and youcan always come back and lookat it and say, ‘That’s me.’”

SCHOOLSPAGE 16 DECEMBER 2, 2011


Issaquah School BoardPresident Jan Colbrese knowsthe district must maintain equi-table resources, infrastructureand quality education through-out its 15 elementary, five mid-dle and four high schools.

That’s one reason the districtwill ask voters to support itsApril 17 $219 million capitalimprovement bond, whichincludes money for upgrades tonearly every school in the dis-trict — even during a time dur-ing such economic uncertainty,she said.

“Our problem is that we havechildren in school right now,”Colbrese said. “You can’t tellthose kids, ‘I’m sorry, you’re inthis economic time. It’s a really

hard time.”Members of the school board

met with the Newcastle CityCouncil on Nov. 7 to discuss thebond and other issues facing thedistrict, including possibleimprovements to traffic flow inthe drop-off area at NewcastleElementary School.

“We’ll be coming to you withreports for support on this mea-sure because if the district issoundly managed, and if the dis-trict is a place where peopleknow a quality education isbeing provided, then it helpsyour city as well,” Colbrese said.

Because the new bond pack-age is expected to be about halfas much as the district’s bonddebt that is retiring in 2012, resi-dents in the district should see adecrease in school-related taxes,

even if the bond is approved,according to the district.

“If we don’t do this well andconvince people of the need, ifwe fail this, what are our odds ofever coming back to our com-munity and say, ‘Oh guesswhat? Now we’re going to raiseyour taxes,’” Colbrese said. “Itcan be extremely difficult.”

As the district’s bond debtretires, the owner of a home val-ued at $500,000 would payabout $430 less per year in prop-erty taxes if the bond fails, whilethe resident of the same housewould pay $215 less in propertytaxes if it passes.

Part of the $219 million bondincludes $44.5 million for a pro-ject that would reconfigure andexpand the Liberty High Schoolcommons, relocate the school’s

kitchen, modernize classrooms,and complete video and TV labs.

The measure would add anauxiliary gym, modernize thelocker room and repair roofingoutside of Liberty’s remodelarea.

The plans call for moving theexisting football bleachers at thehigh school to the visitor’s sideof the field, build new homebleachers that would seat 2,000people and create a new pressbox on the west side of the field.

Projects totaling $3.8 millionat Maywood Middle Schoolinclude replacing windows,kitchen flooring, classroom car-peting and vinyl wall coveringsat the school.

It also provides funding forconverting the school’s footballfield to artificial turf and

improving its track.“A number of the items that

are in the bond are there toreduce our operations and main-tenance costs,” said SteveCrawford, director of capital pro-jects for the district. “If we canspend money to put turf fields inand save $150,000 in mainte-nance, those are dollars that don’thave to be spent out of the gener-al fund to maintain those fields.Those are classroom dollars.”

About $7.2 million worth ofthe bond would go towardincreasing Apollo ElementarySchool’s permanent capacity by120 by adding six classrooms;expanding the commons;enclosing the school’s exteriorwalkways; and replacing carpet-ing in corridors, classrooms andoffice space.

By Christina Lords

Newcastle Elementary School student Claire Frederick, 10, and her brother Andrew Frederick, 7, hold booksthey’ve chosen to donate through the school’s 2011 Gift-A-Book campaign.

Gift-A-Book campaigncollects 114 booksfor school library

“They’re recognizing weneed more books in ourlibrary that kids want tohave. There’s somethingspecial about putting yourname in a book and pickingit out and you can alwayscome back and look at itand say, ‘That’s me.’”

—— LLaauurraa BBeerrrryyNewcastle Elementary School librarian

Officials encourage council to support $219 million school bond

country and track and field cap-tain, and National HonorSociety member.

He has received theOutstanding JuniorAchievement Award and tookthird at FBLA State in E-Commerce.

He works part-time as avideographer for Swerve DriverTraining, and he volunteers withthe Renton and Kent parksdepartments, the NewcastleWeed Warriors and theSalvation Army.

Huie plans to attend theUniversity of Washington topursue a bachelor’s degree anddental degree. He hopes to con-tinue to serve as a videographerfor small businesses and corpo-rations as a hobby.

RRoottaarryy CClluubb ooff IIssssaaqquuaahhhhoonnoorrss LLiibbeerrttyy ssttuuddeennttss

The Rotary Club of Issaquahrecently honored the followingseniors from Liberty HighSchool as its students of themonth for November:

MMaaccaaiirree AAmmeenntt❑ Category of recognition:

English❑ Parents: Tom and Andreé

Ament❑ Academic achievements:

National Merit Scholar com-mended student; honor soci-ety/honor roll; 3.976 grade point

average❑ Athletic

achieve-ments: sec-ond-team allleague 2011goal keeper,OlympicDevelopmentProgrampool player(2008-10);two-timeleague champion with Patriotssoccer

❑ Activities: Youth Group(Lifeteen) at Mary, Queen ofPeace; Mountains to SoundGreenway; Jazzercise

❑ Scholastic interests:Physettes (girls science/environ-mental awareness) club presi-dent

❑ Hobbies: writing, drawing(Mickey Mouse), varsity soccer(goal keeping); reading

❑ Outside school affiliations:Washington Premier FC Girls 93Elite Clubs National Leaguegoalkeeper; training keeper forwomen’s Sounders

❑ Future goals: double-major or major/minor in astro-physics and English; play col-lege soccer; be involved inresearch

❑ Career: bring research andscience to kids/teens/adults inan engaging way through books(novels), teaching or some othermedia outlet

MMiicchhaaeell PPaayyaanntt❑ Category

of recogni-tion: socialstudies

❑ Parents:SusanCohodes,Tom Payant

❑Academicachieve-ments:National Merit semifinalist;scholar athlete; National HighSchool Institute JournalismDivision at NortheasternUniversity; 800 on SAT mathtwo-subject test

❑ Athlete achievements: threeyears varsity tennis, two yearsteam captain, managed JV base-ball sophomore year, managedgirls tennis junior year

❑ Activities: managing editorof Patriot Press 2010-11 and co-editor in chief 2011-12; HughO’Brian Youth LeadershipConference; tuba since sixthgrade

❑ Scholastic interests: journal-ism, math, social studies

❑ Hobbies: watching sports,playing sports, blogging aboutsports, tennis

❑ Future goals: attend a high-caliber university focusing onjournalism

❑ Career: broadcast journal-ist (television anchor or radiohost)


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AllisonGeorge, acounselor atthe RentonAcademy inNewcastle,has beenawarded theRentonRotary’sTeacher ofthe Monthhonor.

George attended theUniversity of Washington whereshe earned a Bachelor of Sciencein zoology and a Bachelor ofArts in music theory and histo-ry.

George earned a master’s inpsychology in mental healthcounseling from WesternWashington University.

She received Educational StaffAssociate Certification from CityUniversity and is a licensedmental health therapist. She hasworked in various health centersin Western Washington and hasbeen a member of the Rentonteam for five years.

HHaazzeenn’’ss DDaanniieell HHuuiieesseelleecctteedd ffoorr RRoottaarryy aawwaarrdd

TheRentonRotary hasselectedDaniel Huie,a senior atHazen HighSchool, for itsYouth of theMonth awardforNovember.

Huie main-tains a 3.9 grade point averageand is the Future BusinessLeaders of America vice presi-dent, Bike Club president, cross

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Rotary clubs honor teacher, students of the month

In the past four years, theIssaquah School District hasseen a dramatic increase instudents preparing to take thePSAT, the most widely usedcollege admission exam inthe country.

Participation for studentstaking the PSAT in the pastfour years has gone from 30percent of sophomores andjuniors taking the test to 89percent, or 2,290 students,taking the exam.

The main driver of theincrease is that the district’shigh schools now offer thePSAT during the school dayonce every October.

The PSAT helps studentsprepare for the SAT college-admission exam, gives feed-back about academicstrengths and weaknesses,and is a gatekeeper forNational Merit Scholarships.

The Issaquah SchoolsFoundation provided finan-cial assistance for students totake the test.

District seesincreasein PSATparticipation


1993. That was the last timethe Hazen High SchoolHighlanders earned a spot inthe state football playoff run.

That was the number playersechoed after their 36-15 winover the Franklin Quakers onNov. 15 on the cold turf ofSeattle’s Memorial Field, plac-ing them in the state champi-onship hunt for the first timein 18 years.

That was the Highlanders’motivation to defeat theQuakers, after Franklin had sentHazen home in the same do-or-die situation last year.

And although Hazen wenton to lose Nov. 12 to Capital ina 47-0 shutout that put theteam out of the playoffs, coachDrew Oliver said the progressmade during the season willleave a lasting impression onthe program.

“These players believed inthemselves,” he said. “If we’replaying our own game, theyknow they can go out there

and compete against anyteam.”

The Highlanders boasted 392rushing yards and three inter-ceptions against the Quakers.

Hazen senior running backEric Jacobs had 115 rushingyards and three touchdowns,while sophomore wide receiver

J.D. Peterson and senior run-ning back Daymontray Brownadded a touchdown of theirown, respectively, in the con-test.

Brown, who racked up 195rushing yards in the Franklin

SPORTSPAGE 18 DECEMBER 2, 2011

By Greg Farrar

Eric Jacobs, Hazen High School senior running back, shakes off Trevon Harris, of Franklin, during thefourth quarter on a 30-yard touchdown run, his third of the game.

Hazen earns first stateplayoff berth since 1993

By Greg Farrar

Daymontray Brown, Hazen High School senior running back, gets 45yards worth of daylight against Franklin High School during the firstquarter of their Nov. 5 state playoff game at Memorial Stadium.

Highlanders beatFranklin, 36-15,before falling toCapital, 47-0

See FFOOOOTTBBAALLLL, Page 20


After the Liberty High Schoolgirls soccer team dropped its firstmatch of the season to theSkyline Spartans on Sept. 6, thePatriots made a commitment tothemselves — and each other.

“We never wanted to feel thatway again,” Liberty starting for-ward and co-captain CassidyNangle said.

Eighteen straight victories,including the 1-0 win againstEastside Catholic Nov. 18 to cat-apult Liberty into the 3A statechampionship game, broughtthe Patriots closer to their ulti-mate goal: a state title.

The Nov. 19 state champi-onship at Sparks Stadium inPuyallup pitted experienceagainst unfamiliarity as Libertyfaced Seattle Prep, the defendingstate champions who haveplayed in the title game five ofthe past six years.

It was Liberty’s first time inthe final game in the school’s34-year history.

After battling hard into thefinal seconds of the game, the

Patriots fell to the Panthers, 3-2. And although it was an emo-

tional finish to end the season,especially for graduating seniors,Nangle said the experience ofmaking it to the finals will havelasting implications for Libertysoccer.

“My junior year, we made itinto the playoffs,” she said. “Thisyear, we made it to the statechampionship. You get a taste ofit. You gain that experience, soit’s easier next time around.”

While their final game didn’tend the way they wanted,Nangle said she’s proud of theteam’s accomplishments.

“We were able to take thename of Liberty soccer furtherthan it’s ever been,” she said.“We made it to the state cham-pionship, and that was some-thing we couldn’t frown upon.”

Part of the Patriots’ successthis season has centered on cre-ating a family atmosphere onthe team, from the youngestunderclassmen to the graduatingseniors, Nangle said.

Liberty takes secondat 3A state soccerchampionship game

By Greg Farrar

Kimi Fry (6), Liberty High School senior midfielder, battles Seattle Prepsenior midfielder Sarah Schwaegler late during the second period Nov.19 at Carl Sparks Stadium in Puyallup.

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“Each of us has respect foreach other when we step out onthe field,” she said. “It’s just kindof a mindset that we got in. Weknow that you can’t accomplishthings just as individuals.”

The Patriots started strong inthe championship game afterLiberty junior Kiana Haffertyfound the back of the net withan assisted goal from Nangle onlytwo minutes into the game.

With an assist from seniorKimi Fry, Liberty sophomore KaliYoungdahl slipped a goal byPanthers goal keeper AbbyRockwell four minutes later.

Liberty coach Jamie Giger saidbeing up 2-0 is often the one ofthe most difficult places to be in

a competitive game.“You feel comfortable,” she

said. “You feel that you have thegame … that’s just the way itgoes. They came back. Give it tothem, they played really hardwhen they were down.”

Seattle Prep senior SarahSchwaegler put the Panthers onthe board 21 minutes into thefirst half to bring the score to 2-1.The Panthers added two unan-swered goals, sealing the state-championship win.

Giger the said she knew thePatriots had the potential tomake it to the championshipsearly on in the season.

“The first day we were at prac-tice, I looked at these kids and Iknew we had the talent to do it,”Giger said. “It was just (up to)them if they could believe inthemselves. I think throughoutthe season, talentwise, we were

already really good, but I thinkwhere we grew was believing inourselves.”

LLiibbeerrttyy 11,, EEaassttssiiddee CCaatthhoolliicc 00The Patriots made Kailiana

Johnson's goal in the 16th minutestand up to earn a spot in the finalfor the first time. They lost inthree previous semifinal appear-ances, most recently in 2001.

Eastside Catholic goalkeeperLauren "Nemo" Thomas madeseveral diving saves and Libertymissed three wide-open shots.One shot, with Thomas out ofthe net, hit the post while theothers sailed high or wide.

Johnson's goal, her 15th of theseason, came off a feed fromNangle.

Liberty goalkeeper MacaireAment recorded her 11th shutoutof the season. It was the 18thconsecutive victory for Liberty.

SSoocccceerrFrom Page 18

Medals to honorLiberty and Hazen high school

200 medley relay teams standtogether on the winners' podium

Nov. 12 during the state 3A swimchampionships. Swimmers (from

left) Mackenna Briggs, EliseTinseth, Caitlin Duffner and Cecilia

Nelson finished sixth for Liberty,and Taylor Gale, Talisa Wibner,

Kayla DiMicco and KourtneyBrunings finished fourth for Hazen.

By Greg Farrar


Airashay Rogers, the starsenior point guard for theHazen Highlanders girls bas-ketball team, will be the firststudent athlete in two yearsto graduate from the schooland go on to play a Division Isport in college.

Rogers signed a letter ofintent Nov. 21 to play basket-ball for the University ofWashington — the first highschool recruit to be broughtinto the new helm of first-year coach Kevin McGuff.

Rogers, who will studybusiness and marketing at theschool, said she’s still focusedon a successful season withHighlanders basketball.

“It's not going to be any-thing easy," she said. "I stillhave to focus on my highschool season before I try togo past it. I still want to makesure I have the same connec-tion with my team as before.Nothing has changed, I'm justmoving on next year."

Rogers averaged 26 pointsper game, 2.4 assists, twoblocks, 9.4 rebounds and 6.5steals per game for theHighlanders last season.

“She bought into the sys-tem,” Hazen coach JeffBernhardt said. “She playshard. She’s a team leader but

I’m proud because it shows alittle validation into whatwe’re doing.”

Attending the UW willbenefit Rogers academically aswell as athletically, said EdCrow, Hazen’s assistant prin-cipal and athletic director.

“We take pride in kids get-ting into an environmentthat’s really competitive,” hesaid. “Going to a Pac-12school means a lot. It meanswe have athletes that aregoing to go compete at thehighest level.”

Bernhardt said Rogerswould be a valuable additionto the university’s lineup.

“There aren’t many aroundthat can match her,” he said.“She’s powerful, but yet grace-ful. She’s not out of control.The speed and the power thatshe plays with … there’s notanyone around that has that.”

Hazen basketball standoutsigns to play with Huskies

By Christina Lords

Hazen High School senior pointguard Airashay Rogers signs aletter of intent to play for theUniversity of Washington.

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game, said the team was full ofrenewed passion throughout theseason and during the gameagainst the Quakers. He said hehopes the team’s momentumcan carry forward in upcomingseasons.

“Even though I won’t be here,and some of our other playerswon’t be here next year, we feelthis is the start of somethingnew at Hazen,” he said. “We’vebeen putting so much hard workinto this, that we think this issomething the next players thatcome along can take and use inthe future.”

Last year’s season-endinggame against Franklin oustedthe Highlanders from the stateplayoffs. Hazen’s season abrupt-ly ended in the first round ofthe playoffs during Oliver’sinaugural year as coach in 2009as well.

“I love that we’re back here atthe same place and that we gotto exercise some demons,”Oliver said. “These guys haveguts, and they played with suchheart. I’m proud of what they’vebeen able to do here.”

FFoooottbbaallllFrom Page 18

newcastle news dec. 2011

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