The Blaze — September 2014

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A Publication of The Chronicle for Centralia College Since 2012 • www.centraliablaze.com

New Look, Great Expectations College Blazer Volleyball Team Ready for 2014 Campaign

to Host Beerfest

By Luke Kilgore

For The Chronicle

Luke Kilgore / For The Blaze

From left to right, front: Becca Ball, Mercy Puni. Center: Mikaela Shelton, Joslyn Stansfield, Tiana Reynolds. Back: Courtney Chitwood, Jessica Malchow, Monica Poet, Kim Nevil, Madi Raymond, Abby Stoeckler. Not pictured: Jessica Paxton

By Luke Kilgore For The Blaze

The Centralia Trailblazers volleyball team has a virtually clean slate this season. Aside from just one returning player on the squad, the roster has undergone a complete facelift, adding local athletes, as well as those from Oregon and even a pair from across the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii.

After only being together for about three weeks, team chemistry is clicking on all cylinders.

This not only has the team excited for the upcoming season, but it also gives head coach Susan Gordon high hopes for a successful 2014 season.

"What I'm seeing from this team is that they are very driven," Gordon said. "They are a hard-working group and they are ready to produce out on the court. You can just tell that by watching them."

Gordon not only sees the work ethic out on the court, but she also notices the maturity and general camaraderie of her roster. She is quick to point out that while there is already a sense of family between her ladies, one word describes the women at practice — intensity.

"They are very intense, very competitive people on the court," Gordon said. "But they get along great. They have the ability to leave it on the court.

For as new as they are, they're just meshing so well and I couldn't ask for anything better than that."

Gordon also assures that this team is quite different from the previous season. This year's squad is faster and also has key pieces that the Blazers have lacked in recent years in the form of power hitters. please see Volleyball, page 4

Blazer volleyball players warm up during practice Sept. 8.

Blazer volleyball coach Susan Gordon gestures to her team during a practice Sept. 8

The Centralia College campus will soon play host to the Portland to Seattle Beerfest, an event put on by the Twin Cities Rotary Club.

The event will held in the Michael Smith Gymnasium from 6-11 p.m. Oct. 18.

The Beerfest will feature tasting of beers from breweries ranging from the Portland to Seattle areas, as well as entertainment and a competition between home brewers. All public of at least the age of 21 are welcome to attend. Tickets are $20 if prepaid or $25 at the door.

The event is in its debut year under the title Portland to Seattle Beerfest. Previously known as the Twin Cities Rotary Beerfest, the change has come about in efforts to expand the event and draw a wider variety of breweries instead of just a local majority. The event has projected an attendance of 15-20 breweries, not including home brewers from the surrounding areas.

The Home Brew Competition will pit would-be brewers against one another with the grand prize winner receiving a home brew kit donated by the Chariots Car Club valued at about $2,500.

The entry fee for home brewers is $20 due by Oct. 1. Their brews will be turned in a week before the event, and they will be tasted by sanctioned judges who will then decide the best overall brew.

Todd Chaput, chairman of the Beerfest Committee, expressed interest in the local home brewers and placed them on the same plane as brewing companies.

"There are a lot of home brewers around here, too, along with the regional breweries," Chaput said. "Home breweries and companies are of the same mold. We are just trying to market them and bring attention to the talent around here."

While a major goal is to attract brewing talents, another focus is on supporting literacy in Lewis County with 100 percent of all proceeds going towards that objective.

The Twin City Rotary Club has a long history of supporting literacy. The organization was responsible for providing books and computer access at Bellevue Healthcare as well as holding numerous fundraising events to provide books to kids at local pediatric clinics.

"We also provide thousands of National Geographic Readers to first graders every month," Chaput said.

"Most of it stays in Lewis County but we managed to reach a little bit of Thurston and Grays Harbor last year.

We distributed to 1500 kids a month last year."

The proceeds not only

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September 22 & 24th 10:30am (3-6 Year Olds) • 4:15pm (4-10 Year Olds)

Yoga Director, Melissa Fox

FREE WEEK OF HOT YOGA!

Come join us for a free week of Hot Yoga & Yin Yoga! September 29-October 4 at Thorbeckes in Chehalis, 91 SW Chehalis Avenue

B

Enrollment Is Down This Year See Page 2

please see Beer, page 4

Come join us for two days of Kids Yoga!

Essential Yoga at Thorbeckes will be hosting two free community events!

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er

www.thorbeckes.com

Centralia College Theatre See Page 3

Blaze 2 • The Blaze, Centralia, Wash., September 2014

CAMPUS NEWS

Your Look at Centralia College Life

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Centralia College students walk past the clock tower along the Gordon Aadland Esplanade during the first day of the 2013-14 school year.

Fall Enrollment Numbers May Decline From 2013

By The Blaze

‘‘We are looking at a much more strategic and comprehensive way to recruit new students.’’

Dennis Bonner

registrar of enrollment services Graphic by Luke Kilgore

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serious decline in any of the three areas could significantly pull down the other two and cause the total to drop.

The FTE total for academic transfer stands at 776 in comparison to the 2013 total of 792, which is only a 2 percent decrease. In fact, basic skills has seen a 13 percent increase from last year with a 261:231 ratio.

The deciding factor and biggest gap lies in workforce education. This quarter's FTE to date is 558 in comparison to the 2013 number of 718, showing a decrease of nearly 22 percent.

While Bonner is contacting the workforce programs to possibly diagnose the problem, Centralia College is in the process of a more long-termed solution.

"We're working on a lot of retention to increase our numbers such as contacting those who haven't yet completed their credits," Bonner said. "We are encouraging them to come and finish their classes as well as other areas in the retention side of things. The efforts of recruiting will probably bear the most fruit in the winter term compared to the fall term."

More importantly, Centralia College is in the process of hiring a recruiting and outreach coordinator, whose full-time position will be dedicated to raising admission numbers and reaching out to the community

in all facets.

"We are looking at a much more strategic and comprehensive way to recruit new students," Bonner said. "The recruiting and outreach coordinator will be doing recruiting and outreach to the community in all segments of population full time. It is more than just high schoolers. We're talking senior citizens, students 25 and older, you name it."

When the hunt for a coordinator concludes, Bonner and other faculty are confident that enrollment numbers will significantly increase.

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CAMPUSCONNECTION

While Summer Quarter's enrollment numbers saw an increase of 3 percent from last year, the statistics of Fall Quarter 2014 reflect fewer students.

In state enrollment data, the primary measuring tool is the Full Time Equivalency (FTE).

The FTE is calculated by gathering a total of current credits in progress for the Fall Quarter and dividing that number by 15 — the required number of credits to be considered a fulltime student. The process pools both part-time and full-time students into one group and the average results in the FTE number.

As of Sept. 9, the current FTE accrual for fall quarter is 1,611. On September 9, 2013, the FTE accrual for Fall Quarter 2013 was 1,741, showing an 8 percent decrease from last year.

However, when compared to Fall Quarter of 2012's FTE of 1,570, the number is shown to still exceed that value by a margin of about 2.5 percent. At the very least, this shows this year's FTE to not be a drastic downturn.

Dennis Bonner was hired on as the registrar of enrollment services at Centralia College just three months ago in July. Because of the fluidity and somewhat unpredictable nature of the FTE value, he shared his calculations and projections for the remainder of the Fall Quarter.

"Since the Fall Quarter is not yet over, the FTE will definitely still change over the next few weeks to some degree," Bonner said. "After the end of fall term last year, the final FTE number was 2,085. We essentially need about a 400 FTE increase and right now I would project a 10 percent increase for the end of the quarter. If, and only if, enrollment continues at the current pace, we will still see about 5 to 7 percent below last year's totals."

The overall state FTE accrual is gathered from three major areas of education: academic transfer, workforce education and basic skills. A somewhat

Contact us at editor@centraliablaze.com

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Blaze 3 • The Blaze, Centralia, Wash., September 2014 Your Voice, Your Views

Theatre Program Presents Fresh Production

Got Skills?

The Blaze is always accepting submissions from Centralia College students for the opinion page, photos of events, or even comics.

Think you’ve got what it takes to write for The Blaze?

Email Editor Luke Kilgore at editor@ centraliablaze.com, or call The Blaze World Headquarters at (360) 807-8250.

By The Blaze

The Centralia College theatre program will be presenting their debut production of the academic year in just two weeks.

The production will be “The Last Five Years,” a unique twoperson musical written by Jason Robert Brown.

The story is loosely based on Brown's failed marriage to Theresa O'Neill. The plot revolves around a five-year relationship between rising novelist Jamie Wellerstein and struggling actress Cathy Hiatt.

The form of storytelling is unusual as Cathy's story is told in reverse order — beginning at the end of her marriage — while Jamie's tale begins just after the two have met. The two timelines stay separate only to intersect for one scene.

The musical will be first performed Sept. 18-19 at Tumwater High School at 7 p.m. The tour will then continue on to Olympia High School Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. and conclude at Centralia's own Wickstrom Studio Theatre for a 7 p.m. performance on Sept. 25 and 8 p.m. performances on Sept. 26 and 27.

Tickets are priced $10 for adults and $8 for seniors. Tickets will be sold at the door or, alternately, tickets can be purchased by calling the Centralia College box office at (360) 7369391, ext. 525.

B THE BLAZE STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Luke Kilgore Contact us at: (360) 807-8250 editor@ centraliablaze.com Visit us at... centraliablaze.com

GET IN THE LOOP Follow us on Facebook,“Centralia Blaze”and on Twitter,“ @CentraliaBlaze.”

College’s Corbet Theatre to Host Forum on Local Health Issues

By The Blaze

Centralia College's Corbet Theatre has been chosen as the site for an open forum to discuss the most pressing health issues and concerns for the community of Lewis County.

All are welcome and the event is free to attend.

The event will be held from 6 to p.m. on Sept. 24.

Among the most urgent is-

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sues, a majority of discussion will revolve around the overall health and vitality of the county and its members. Notable author and keynote speaker Dr. Donna Beegle will also be present to discuss poverty through multiple generations and how to break the cycle. A group of community partners including members from Public Health & Social Services, United Way, Ju-

venile Court, Providence Centralia Hospital, Morton General Hospital, Valley View Health Centers, CHOICE Regional Health Network and our own Centralia College will discuss their strategies for improving the health of Lewis County, as well as reveal the results of a recent county-wide assessment.

The assessment pools together results from almost 600 surveys

including both statistical data and comments on current community leaders.

Danette York, Director of Lewis County Public Health & Social Services, spoke on the overall objective of the forum.

"The goal is to address our county's most pressing health issues in an inclusive and well-informed way," York said. "And by health, we are talking about the

well-being of the community as a whole which includes economic, educational, environmental, and behavioral health as well as physical health."

After presenting the survey results, community forum leaders will then shift direction towards addressing the top issues raised in the forum, as well as coordinating groups and activities to solve the matters.

Want to submit your letters to the editor?

Contact us at “editor@centraliablaze. com,” or call The Blaze World Headquarters at (360) 807-8250

Colleges Across America Now Re-Thinking Sexual Assault Education said Laura Dunn, an advocate with nonprofit organization SurvJustice who helped file the initial complaint.

One of those students is a rising junior who asked that her name be withheld. The Associated Press does not identify alleged victims of sexual assault.

In June, she told AP that she was sexually assaulted in 2012 during her first few days on campus. She said her alleged attacker had taken her keys and phone, dragged her into his room and assaulted her.

A few days prior, the student said she had gone to a sexual assault awareness workshop offered to incoming freshmen.

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possible Title IX violations. It was added Aug. 12.

Title IX is a federal law prohibiting gender discrimination.

It regulates institutions' handling of sexual violence and is the same law that guarantees female athletes equal access to sports. Schools that violate Title IX can lose federal funding.

Johns Hopkins is under investigation for its handling of an alleged gang rape of a Towson University student at a fraternity house, Pi Kappa Alpha, in the spring of 2013. Since the allegation became public in May, more Hopkins students have come forward to share their own sexual assault stories,

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compliance and follow best practices," said UC Berkeley spokeswoman Janet Gilmore.

"It's a continuing effort. We've done a lot, and we know that there's more we can do."

Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, another school under federal investigation, also requires its freshmen to complete Haven. The school adopted a policy in June requiring an independent investigation into sexual assault complaints, and calls for mandatory expulsion for convicted students.

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is one of the most recent additions to the list of schools under investigation for

Centralia College Student News on the Web

der federal review.

"Sexual violence has been a huge topic for years, but the politics around it and trying to find remedies is what's changed," Bird said, adding that the school offers "hundreds" of alcohol, drug and sexual assault awareness programs throughout the year. "This has been an issue for my 36 years and I imagine it will be an issue on campus for the next 30."

University of California at Berkeley, which is under investigation, has started two new mandatory programs. Freshmen and transfers must attend a sexual awareness program known as Bear Pact, as well as complete an online course, called Haven, about sexual assault, harassment and stalking.

The school has also designated a confidential advocate whose role is to assist students who have been sexually assaulted.

While the U.S. Education Department doesn't' release what prompts an investigation, UC Berkeley was the subject of a blistering state audit in June that revealed the school's failure to adequately train resident advisers, athletic coaches and even campus law enforcement on how to handle sexual assault allegations. The audit also found that the administration did not ensure attendance at sexual assault education workshops for freshmen. Based on the school's own data, only 52 percent of the incoming class attended the programs in 2013.

"For us, it's looking at what we need to do to be in federal

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BALTIMORE (AP) — As freshmen descend on college campuses, they enter the "red zone" — a period between Labor Day and Thanksgiving during which they are most vulnerable to sexual assault.

This year is different, though. It is the first since the U.S. Department of Education released a list of colleges and universities under federal investigation for their handling of rape and sexual assault complaints, and many schools are making sexual assault awareness programs mandatory for incoming students.

The list, which includes 77 schools under investigation, was released in May. It represents one piece of a national conversation that gained unprecedented political momentum in April, when the newly minted White House Task Force to Prevent Students from Sexual Assault released its first report, alongside a website designed to advise colleges on how to combat rape on campus. Since then, Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat, has introduced a bill to require annual surveys of students, and require schools to staff confidential advisers on campus.

Oklahoma State University, which is on the list, announced last month that students who do not complete a new 40-minute online course on sexual assault awareness will be barred from registration. Vice President for Student Affairs Lee Bird said the school took the unusual step of asking to be un-

Blaze 4 • The Blaze, Centralia, Wash., September 2014

TRAILBLAZER SPORTS

Your Look at Centralia College Athletics

Record: 7-9

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2013 Centralia College Volleyball Recap

Date Opponent Sept 5 Edmonds Sept 21 at Treasure V. Sept 25 at Pierce Sept 27 Clark Oct 02 at Highline Oct 04 at Green River Oct 9 Tacoma Oct 11 L. Columbia Oct 16 at Grays Harbor Oct 23 Pierce Oct 30 at Clark Nov 1 Highline Nov 6 Green River Nov 8 at Tacoma Nov 13 at L. Columbia Nov 15 Grays Harbor

Continued from Page 1

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"Last year, we didn't have a lot of big hitters," Gordon said.

"We had control hitters who could find holes. We have a couple big hitters this year that we haven't really had in a few years, so that's going to be the biggest difference that you'll see out of this team. We do have the ability to put the ball away, so we will be more of an offensive threat."

The two big hitters in question are Tiana Reynolds from Kamuela, Hawaii, and Washington local Madi Raymond from Woodland. Both women stand at 5-foot-11 and pack a punch at the outside hitter position. Reynolds will also take the role of a starting setter.

Serving as the lone returning Lady Blazer and a major catalyst of the rapidly growing team chemistry, it should come as no surprise that sophomore Mercy Puni has stepped up to a valuable leadership role in the interior of the group.

"I feel that I need to be the example for these girls because that is what makes a good leader," Puni said. "I want to set my standards high for them so we can really do something this year. I have high hopes for us and I just hope that our hard work pays off during season and that we can perform how we do in practice in real game situations."

Gordon gives high praise to Puni as a major part of the new system and gives her full blessing to her as a leader.

"She will be one who will make a definite difference," Gordon said. "There will be times where we just leave her out there because we need her presence on the court. She's done an excellent job as far as a leader. She's one of those people that wants to win. She came and talked to me and told me that she will do whatever needs to be done because we want to win and get to the NWACs. We want to be that team that finally makes it."

The Lady Blazers are putting their work in off of the court, as well. This season, the Blazers Volleyball team will serve

Beer Continued from Page 1

benefit children's literacy skills, but they also help adults who are currently working on obtaining a GED. The PTS Beerfest offers multiple other options for those who don't prefer beer. Wine will also be served along with the presence of a few food vendors. Entertainment will also be provided with live music both early and later in the evening. There is even a reward for the responsibility of those who elect not to drink, as designated drivers get entry for only $10

PLAYERS TO WATCH 2014 Centralia College Volleyball Team

Madi Raymond

Fr. / OH, #10 Woodland

Tiana Reynolds

Abby Stoeckler

Fr. / S-OH, #9 Kamuela, HI

Mercy Puni

So. / S, #5 Waianae, HI

as Centralia College ambassadors for the Wounded Warrior Project. They will host multiple events to benefit wounded veterans and their families. The ladies will also be involved in other events such as a Centralia Elementary Reading Night.

The attention to outside causes will not shift the focus on this year's goal — to be the team that makes it to NWACs for the first time in over two decades. With all of her newly acquired pieces, Gordon believes that this team has all of the makings for a postseason berth.

"The chemistry I think is going to be what's going to save these guys and push them through," Gordon said. "Everybody is going to be on the same page no matter what. I don't see any reason why they shouldn't be in the top three, having seen over the years. They have it, they just have to believe it and take it."

The 2014 Lady Blazers will take the floor of Michael Smith Gymnasium for their first match of the season on Thursat the door and wear a special armband.

"We want a kind of festival appeal," Chaput said. "We want to make sure we are being responsible and simultaneously providing a fun and safe environment."

In total, Chaput expects to see about 400 people arrive to Michael Smith Gymnasium to take part in the festivities.

Tickets can be prepaid with local rotary members, at Book 'n' Brush bookstore in Chehalis and at Heymann Whinery in Centralia. Tickets can also be purchased online at www. eventbrite.com/e/beerfest-tickets-5032379984.

Fr. / RS, #7 Centralia

Becca Ball

Fr. / DS, #2 Portland

day, Sept. 18, in a nonleague duel with Linn Benton.

HOME GAMES = ALL CAPS West Division Games = Bold

Date Opponent Time Sept. 18 LINN BENTON 1 p.m.

Sept. 19-20 Everett Crossover TBA Sept. 24 PIERCE 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 Clark 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 HIGHLINE 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 Green River 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 Tacoma 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 Lower Columbia 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 GRAYS HARBOR 7 p.m.

Oct. 17-18 SWOCC Crossover TBA Oct. 22 Pierce 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 CLARK 7 p.m.

Oct. 29 Highline 7 p.m.

Oct. 31 Mt. Hood Tourney TBA Nov. 1 Mt. Hood Tourney TBA Nov. 5 GREEN RIVER 7 p.m.

Nov. 7 TACOMA 7 p.m.

Nov. 12 LOWER COLUMBIA 7 p.m.

Nov. 14 Grays Harbor 7 p.m.

Nov. 15 Tiebreaker playoffs TBA Nov. 21-23 NWACs (Tacoma) TBA Nov. 23 Sophomore Tourney TBA

! e t a l o o t t o n It’s

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Y A D O T www.centralia.edu Centralia College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, genetic information, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. All inquiries regarding compliance with access, equal opportunity and/or grievance procedures should be directed to the Vice President of Human Resources and Legal Affairs, Centralia College, 600 Centralia College Blvd, Centralia, WA 98531, or call 360.736.9391, ext. 671, or 360.807.6227/TTY.

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Score Score-by-game W 3-1 25-18, 30-28, 28-29, 25-22 1-2 L 25-17, 21-25, 13-15 1-3 L 19-25, 18-25, 25-20, 21-25 W 3-0 25-18, 25-13, 25-17 0-3 L 10-25, 16-25, 17-25 2-3 L 25-23, 19-25, 25-19, 16-25, 11-15 0-3 L 24-26, 25-27, 18-25 W 3-2 25-13, 18-25, 24-26, 25-22, 15-12 W 3-1 25-27, 26-24, 25-18, 26-24 2-3 L 25-23, 25-20, 10-25, 20-25, 9-15 0-3 L 14-25, 22-25, 17-25 2-3 L 20-25, 17-25, 25-23, 25-22, 8-15 W 3-1 25-27, 25-17, 25-20, 30-28 0-3 L 20-25, 11-25, 15-25 W 3-0 25-17, 25-21, 25-16 W 3-0 25-10, 25-12, 25-23

2014 Centralia College Volleyball Schedule

Volleyball

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Away: 2-6 Match Results

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West Division: 6-8

Home: 5-3

Centralia College’s Abby Stoeckler runs through drills at a team volleyball practice Monday at the Centralia College Health and Wellness Center.

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