SAMMAMISH REVIEW
October 28, 2009 •
Photo by Christopher Huber
The exercise balls allow students to move around, a little, and remain at their seats.
Seats Continued from Page 16
The idea stems in part from research conducted by John Kilbourne, a professor of movement sciences at Grand Valley State University, in Allendale, Mich. He found his own students paid more attention and were more engaged in class discussions when using the stability
balls. “We did not evolve to sit at chairs all day at school. We’re movement beings. We need to move,” Kilbourne said. “I know a lot of elementary teachers who are incorporating them into their classrooms.” There could be some discrepancies, since elementary schoolers’ bodies are different from college-age ones. Some exercise scientists warn there may be the potential to develop posture problems.
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But, Sally Westcott McCoy, an associate professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Washington, said bad posture could come from numerous other habits outside of sitting on stability balls for long periods. “It depends on the individual
17
and the other things they do in During many activities, like their lives,” she said. “Staying in reading, Brown and Hart give stuany position for a long period of dents the option to sit in the comtime is probably not the best fortable chairs in the corner or on idea.” the floor. The option to use the balls Since introducing these stumay help children avoid probdents to the stability balls Oct. 19, lems with bad posture, McCoy Brown said they seem to prefer said. staying at their desks. In the end, McCoy said there It used to be a novelty to their needs to be more research on the students, but this year, the firstbudding national trend. graders seem to treat the balls as After the first few days in use their real chairs, the two teachers at Carson, the plan seems to be said. working, “I like usual“They’re bouncing, but ly sitting on according to teachers and they’re still focused on here,” first-gradadministrators. er Ben Wiljanen work.” During a said, gesturing – Mary Cronin, recent class, to the exercise some children ball. “Because I Principal – rolled in place can’t bounce on as their hands the regular and arms anchored them to the chairs.” table. Some sat straight and upright as they pondered the Reporter Christopher Huber can next sentence. be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or “They’re bouncing, but they’re chuber@isspress.com. Comment on still focused on work,” said Mary this story at www.sammamishreCronin, Carson’s principal. view.com.
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18 •
November 25, 2009
sports
SAMMAMISH REVIEW
Skyline girls soccer repeats as state champions By Christopher Huber
Overcome with emotion and reeling from what she had helped her team accomplish, Skyline sophomore goalkeeper Tina Vargas wasn’t quite sure what to say after the game was over Nov. 21 at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood. All she knew was that she had just helped defeat district rival Issaquah in the 4A state championship soccer game. She blocked two of the Eagles’ four penalty kicks — one went over the goal — in a shootout. “My goal is to make them scared, and I know that when I make them scared that makes me better,” Vargas said. “When they look me in the eye, that’s when I get them intimidated.” Paired with Vargas’ intimidation factor and its 3-1 shootout margin, the Skyline girls soccer team repeated as the 4A state champion, beating Issaquah 2-1. “Tina Vargas just was absolutely out of her mind. She is able to go to a place, mentally, that very few players I’ve ever had are able to go to,” said head coach Don Braman. “She is just absolutely dominant in penalty kick situa-
Photo by Christopher Huber
Skyline’s Madi Barney tries to power past Issaquah’s Dana Talley, left, and Kelsey Ford in the first half Nov. 21.
tions.” Junior forward Michelle Bretl scored the winning penalty kick for Skyline. “To repeat as state champions in this state is absolutely, probably the most difficult challenge I can picture for a high school team,” Braman said as the team celebrated. Vargas played an integral role in the second half of regulation, too. The teams played to a tie through two overtimes. But diving saves in the 51st and 55th minute held Issaquah at bay. “I knew that sometime in my high school career I would be able to play in the state championship game. And I knew when I was going to play in that game I was going to give it my all,” Vargas said. Skyline jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute when senior midfielder Shea O’Donnell snuck the ball past Issaquah keeper Brooke Miller on a breakaway shot. In the beginning,
Skyline controlled the tempo, but Issaquah came out fired up in the second half. Just five minutes in, forward Kristen Maris, KingCo 4A’s leading scorer, tied the game at 1-1. The senior’s 21st goal of the season came when freshman midfielder Audrey Thomas fed her the ball in the center of the box.
“I know that when I make them scared that makes me better.” – Tina Vargas, Goalie – Maris fired to the left, just past a diving Vargas. “She’s been spectacular all year long,” said Issaquah coach Tom Bunnell. “And to do it in the league that we play in … she’s so composed and so crafty.” Both teams came close in the second, but Issaquah pressed harder on offense. Its defense held Skyline to only a couple of close scoring chances. “The intensity is amazing See CHAMPS, Page 20
Eastlake soccer had a trio of leaders By Christopher Huber
Early in the 2009 girls soccer season, Eastlake head coach Chuck Krieble took the team on a day-hike to Little Mount Si, near North Bend. During the hours-long trek, the players carried an egg, gently cradling it and carefully passing it around as they walked and talked. It was a team-building exercise, of course, teaching them to trust each other and to protect a fragile object. But it came to symbolize the Lady Wolves’ and their difficult, competitive 11-week-long season. Although its promising bid for a championship ended with a loss in the first round of the state tournament Nov. 10, Eastlake’s three captains, seniors Lindsay Elston, Allie Beahan and Courtney Pixler share credit for reforming the team psyche, on the field and off, according to Krieble. “We’re not focused on wins or losses, but more on team chem-
istry,” Beahan said. “Past selfishness and drama, there was none of that this year.” Not only did the three lead team morale, they also led in the stat book. With seven goals and seven assists on the season, Elston, a midfielder, was named KingCo 4A Player of the Year. And along with midfielder Beahan (10 goals, eight assists) and defender Pixler (one goal, two assists), she made the firstteam All-KingCo 4A. “Other people can make you look really good, too,” said a humble Pixler. “We work well together.” Elston and Beahan have committed to play ball for the University of Washington in 2010 and Pixler is headed to Alabama. “None of us are really after the titles,” Elston said. “It’s like a creative outlet for me.” Krieble said she deserves Player of the Year partly because of her quickness and measured approach to the game. “Her foot skills are really just amazing. She makes something
Photo by Christopher Huber
Seniors Courtney Pixler, from left, Lindsay Elston and Allie Beahan each made the first-team AllKingCo 4A. Elston, a UW recruit, is league Player of the Year. Beahan is also headed to play for the Huskies and Pixler plans to play at the University of Alabama. out of nothing,” he said. “Lindsay is very thoughtful. If I ask a question, I will get Lindsay’s response third. Lindsay has a very intellectual approach to the game.” Pixler, on the other hand, tends to wear her thoughts on
her sleeve, Krieble said. “Courtney is as polished a defender as we’ve seen in years. She’s kind of the lifeguard,” he said. “She’s the one to get amped up during a game. You ask the hard question, Courtney will give
you the hard answer.” Beahan is somewhat of a mix between Elston and Pixler as a leader and eager midfielder, according to Krieble’s observaSee LEADERS, Page 20
December 30, 2009 Locally owned Founded 1992 50 cents
Sights of the season: Cruise the glassy waters of Pine Lake
Photo by Christopher Huber
Waterfront houses, all aglow in holiday lights and decor, reflect off the still waters of Pine Lake Dec. 23. For the full story, see page 9.
Residents ponder fate of headless trees By J.B. Wogan
So, five naked cedar trees sit outside a Starbucks. “A lot of people think we cut them down,” said Mason Cheung, 19, a barista at the Starbucks by Eastlake High School. Cheung, who lives down the street by Pine Lake, said customers keep asking about the trees. “No one really likes how they look,” Cheung said. The story behind the trees, whose heads were lopped off one day in November, is that they were either dead or well on the way to dying. Sammamish Public Works Director John Cunningham said the city had two arborists examine the trees. The consensus was that two were dead and the other three would die in the next few years. “We wanted to take them down before they fell down in a windstorm,” Cunningham said. The city was originally going to hack
them down completely, but City Councilwoman Michele Petitti suggested a different plan at the Nov. 10 council meeting. Petitti said the trees should be made into works of art. In a later interview, Petitti said she was envisioning animal representations, perhaps a school of salmon or a family of critters. “That could be fun, add a little point of interest,” she said. Today, the trees are five column-like trunks, 20 feet in height. Cunningham said some of the trees were as tall as 100 feet before being cut down. The cost of downsizing the trees was $2,280. Bill Monahan, a biology teacher at Eastlake, was sitting with two former students at Starbucks, with a view of the trunks through the window. He thought the trees should be refashioned into totem poles. “That would tie in well with the City Hall theme,” Monahan said. Cunningham said his staff would come to the Sammamish City Council
Town Center regulations taking shape City Council to begin deliberations next year By J.B. Wogan
Photo by J.B. Wogan
The extra-tall stumps sit along 228th Avenue. in early 2010 with several proposals from wood carvers. Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com. To comment on this story, visit www.SammamishReview.com.
a grand library tour
Teams stay sharp
community page 6
Sports page 12
Regulations that could define the look and feel of Town Center are on their way to the City Council. The Planning Commission has wrestled with the development and zoning regulations for more than a year. The commission approved their rough draft of the regulations Dec. 10. “It’s a pretty tremendous accomplishment, to take basically a 120-page document and to flesh that out,” said Tom Vance, Planning Commission chairman. The scope of the Town Center area will be See CENTER, Page 3
Calendar...........10 Classifieds........14 Community........6 Editorial.............4 Police...............16 Sports..............12
18 •
sports
September 9, 2009
SAMMAMISH REVIEW
Skyline shuts out Oregon’s best By Christopher Huber
the best of them in the beginning of the first half.” It seems typical, these days, That eagerness hindered the that the Skyline football team, Spartan offense in the form of despite experiencing early-game dropped passes and missed jitters, ends up shutting out its opportunities. opening-game opponent, no mat“Every first game everybody’s ter how good they are. trying to shake off the cobwebs,” Such was the case Sept. 5 said quarterback Jake Heaps. when the Spartans earned its “You finally get a chance to hit third opening-day shutout victory somebody else. Like coach said, in three years. It beat Jesuit High we were all jacked up for the School, Oregon’s top-ranked Class game and that’s where errors 6A team, 17-0 occur.” in the Emerald But the “It’s all about keeping City Kickoff defense put the goose egg.” Classic at that energy to Qwest Field. good use, hold– Anthony DeMatteo, Skyline’s ing the Jesuit Linebacker – pent-up energy offense to and excitement minus-11 yards to play a real rushing in the game after a summer of rigorous first two quarters. workouts was apparent from the “We take a lot of pride in that. opening kickoff. We’ve been working for those “I think the biggest thing was shutouts for a long time. It’s all that these kids were just so ready about keeping the goose egg,” to play a game,” Skyline head said senior middle linebacker coach Mat Taylor said after the Anthony DeMatteo. “I think this game. “I think the excitement got defense is legit and it’s ready to
Photo by Christopher Huber
Skyline defensive end Connor Cree (35) snags Jesuit’s Keanon Lowe as he tries to break to the outside in the first quarter Sept. 5. Cree made the tackle. go.” DeMatteo and senior defensive end Cooper Pelleur each played a huge role in containing the Crusaders. Pelleur sacked Jesuit’s firstyear starting quarterback Jeff
Elorriaga twice in the first half. “My objective of the game is to get pressure on the quarterback and wreak havoc back there,” said Pelleur. “I think as a full defensive line we accomplished that tonight and disrupted things
back there.” Pelleur, playing on the offensive side, scored Skyline’s lone touchdown in the first half. It came on a wacky 6-yard See SKYLINE, Page 19
Eastlake handles Mount Si By Christopher Huber
Photo by Christopher Huber
Eastlake’s Robert Sharps eludes a Mount Si defender after intercepting an Ian Ilgenfritz pass in the second quarter
It’s a good thing for the Eastlake High School football team that it worked out its firstgame jitters early on against Mount Si. Because at the rate the Wolves produced on offense in the first 11-and-a-half minutes of the season opener Sept. 4 at Eastlake, they would have totaled about 76 yards, given up four fumbles and scored a big goose egg. Again, luckily that wasn’t the case for the now 1-0 Eastlake, which turned things around early and eventually dominated the Wildcats from Snoqualmie 37-7 in front of the home crowd in Sammamish. “I’m really happy we pulled it out,” Eastlake quarterback Kelby McCorkle said after the game. Both teams came out a bit flat in the first, each going three-andout on their first three possessions. The Mount Si defense, however, took an Eastlake fumble at the Wildcat 16 yard line. And running back Matt Bangston drove it in for the first touchdown of the game. “If it was a one-quarter game,
it was a heck of a game,” said Mount Si head coach Charlie Kinnune. “We haven’t gone against that speed.” Eastlake recognized the deficit and quickly composed itself on both sides of the ball. Down 7-0 it only took two minutes for the Wolves to strike back. “It felt like we needed to work out the first game kinks,” McCorkle said about the sloppy start for the Wolves. “I knew we
“We pushed back pretty hard.” – Kelby McCorkle, Quarterback –
had it. We pushed back pretty hard.” McCorkle finished 6 of 11 for 127 yards passing. The offensive play of the game came with less than a minute left in the first when Eastlake had the ball on its own 24 yard line. McCorkle took the snap and tossed a little screen pass to senior wide receiver Sam Olmstead to his left. Taking the
ball from a few yards off the line of scrimmage, Olmstead cut right across the field, danced past a couple of Wildcat defenders and sprinted down the right sideline into the end zone for the 76-yard touchdown. Tie game. “We had to adjust and had one play with our base stuff,” Dales said of the play and subsequent momentum swing. “That was a real big momentum killer for Charlie and those guys.” It quieted the visiting Mount Si fans, too. Eastlake proceeded to intercept two passes from Mount Si quarterback Ian Ilgenfritz. First, Eastlake senior linebacker Austin Reifeis took a pass that ended a 10-play, 60-yard Wildcat drive. Eastlake capitalized by marching 93 yards in six plays, including 35- and 44-yard runs from McCorkle and running back Cameron Hunt, to score the goahead touchdown. In Mount Si’s next possession, Ilgenfritz under-threw the ball and Eastlake’s Michael Maguire came down with it and ran it See EASTLAKE, Page 20
SAMMAMISH REVIEW
September 2, 2009 • 13
Meagan St. Laurent and Chris Ducharme
St. Laurent, Ducharme engaged Meagan St. Laurent and Chris Ducharme, both of Sammamish, have become engaged. St. Laurent is a 2002 graduate of Skyline and a 2006 graduate of the University of Washington. Ducharme is a 2001 graduate of Skyline. The couple plans to marry Nov. 9 at the Hotel Deca in Seattle. Photos by Christopher Huber
Sammamish resident Annie Cox, center, eyes her cotton candy as Montrachet residents Kayla Wheeler, far left, and Lora Baier, right, hand it to her.
Carnival Continued from Page 12
games like the tennis ball toss, putt putt golf, a dunk tank and basketball. An extra $2 garnered the participants a bracelet, as well. “It really has just grown and grown over the years,” said volunteer Lora Baier as she whipped up some cotton candy. She said the outpouring of support “was exceedingly, abundantly above” expectations. Pruitt started the neighborhood carnival in 2006 to benefit local charitable organizations. The idea was to get her children
and family involved in a good cause. “I wanted to show my kids what it’s like to give back to the community,” Pruitt said. “It’s really become a community event. It’s been a great, positive event.” Prizes, which families donated, included hand-made pet rocks and bouncy balls, among other things. Dylan Pruitt and friends manned the “Groovy Smoothy” stand and dolled out the fruity drinks all afternoon. The children also put on a talent show near the end of the carnival Aug. 25. Pruitt said the 2009 event saw much more involvement, includ-
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ing more refreshment stands and the addition of the dunk tank. “It’s fun and makes a lot of money for a good cause,” he said as operated the blenders. “Now there’s a lot more people involved.” The 2006 carnival raised $113 and had a handful of booths and food stands, Keren Pruitt said. The next year they raised $630 for Ronald McDonald House and in 2008 the event brought in about $400 for Child Haven. Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
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Aubrey Miller and Kayla Koelling. Groomsmen are Clinten Gundelfinger, Brian McCrery, Bill McCrery, Cameron Lee, Kyle Hornberger and Stephen Cheatum. The bride’s parents are Jennifer and Thomas Gundelfinger, who live in Sammamish and Juneau, Alaska. The groom’s parents are Sharrel and Martha McCrery, who live in Sammamish. The couple plans to honeymoon in the eastern Carribean.
Linfield College dean’s list Linfield College of McMinnville, Ore. has announced that Emily J. Smith, freshman and Michael C. Eldredge, sophomore have been placed on the dean’s list for the Spring semester.
UW dean’s list The following students from Sammamish were named to the Dean’s List at University of Washington for the spring quarter. To qualify students must have a GPA of 3.50. Maria Jose Acosta, Danielle Elizabeth Aemmer, Nathan Dean Anderson, Andrew Scott Barr, Stephen Jeffrey Barr, Brandon James Barron, Meaghan Beth Beaulaurier, Scott Karl Becker, Brian Joseph Bennett, Grant William Beyer, Brittany Elizabeth Bolz, Jackson William Brammer, Christine Myumi Breen,
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10 •
July 8, 2009
SAMMAMISH REVIEW
2009 Fourth on the Plateau Members of local group “Experimental Reality” perform on the main stage.
The Rotary Club sold food to benefit local events.
Rows of fireworks wait for their cue to launch.
Photos by Christopher Huber
By Lauren McLaughlin
“The Fourth was great. Everything went off without a hitch,” Volunteer Ric Myers said. There were bouncy toys, food, face painting, live music from Experimental Reality and Shelly and the Curves, and the night was capped by colorful fireworks.. “The grand finale was really good,” Sammamish mom Phyllis Eicher said. “I think I liked this year’s grand finale better.” Eicher and her family have come to all three Fourth’s and plan to go to next year’s event, as well. The event drew crowds of people from all over the area. Volunteer Coordinator Dawn Sanders was impressed by the number. “Obviously, we can’t do a head count of everyone, but someone told me there was about 17,000,” Sanders said. “It seems like we’re increasing about 15 percent every year.” The crowds packed into every available area to view the fireworks. That didn’t just include the Upper and Lower Commons. Event Coordinator Lynne Handlos said she saw people watching the fireworks from new places this year. “People were packed in like sardines in the upper part and along 228th. The skate park was the overflow, and some people even sat in the little gravel lot,” Handlos said. “I think it’s the first time I’ve seen anyone sit there.” Handlos and Sanders said the library construction did take away some of the seating area, but it didn’t seem to deter people from attending the event. Sanders said the event went well and she has plans for next year. “I’d like to make it bigger and better. It would be fun if people could spend the whole day here.” Intern Lauren McLaughlin can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 244 or samrev@isspress.com. To comment on this story visit www.sammamishreview.com.
Kim Bennett, of Renton, holds onto holiday balloons.
From left, Kate Dixon, Michael Dixon and Matthew Dixon play during Fourth of July festivities.
Families gather on the lawn at the Lower Commons and enjoy the afternoon sun before the night’s fireworks show.
Volunteers and event goers gather at the entrance to the Kids Zone.
10 •
August 26, 2009
COMMUNITY
Randy Nevin aces city math test, again By J.B. Wogan
Nine years ago, Don Gerend challenged the Sammamish community to take a civic-oriented math test and Randy Nevin aced it. On the city’s 10-year anniversary, the retired Microsoft employee did it again. Nevin, who earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in computer science, was the only one to have a Randy Nevin perfect score on the final exam. “The final exam, I didn’t find that to be too difficult,” Nevin said, explaining that the eightproblem test involved basic algebra and logic. The qualifying exam, which Nevin and three others aced, was more difficult, according to Nevin. The last problem required geometry. “That took me several hours to figure out,” Nevin said. Gerend, the current mayor,
wrote the test, which had eight word problems concerning municipal issues like public transit and population size. He said only one of four finalists could take the final exam inperson at City Hall Aug. 12: Jackson Dove showed up and scored a seven out of eight. Nevin was on vacation, but had Gerend e-mail him a copy. He swore that he took the test by himself. The other two finalists, Ariel Goh and Dave Lee, had a broken ankle and a work engagement. But Gerend said he would give prizes to all four. For those still aching to prove their mathematic prowess, there is still time. “I challenge anybody else in the community to take the final exam and send me the answers. I’ll grade them. That would be fun,” Gerend said. Go to www.SammamishReview.com to find a copy of the test. E-mail your answers to dgerend@ci.sammamish.wa.us. Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com. To comment on this story, visit www.SammamishReview.com.
Evan Hamilton to lead Kids’ Parade By Christopher Huber
Elementary fourth grader, was born on the same Ten-yearday old Sammamish Sammamish became a resident city — Aug. Evan 31, 1999 — Hamilton Evan Hamilton at age 1 month and and was chofound out in today sen to be the early August grand marthat he was going to do someshal of the “Future of thing most people don’t get to do. Sammamish Kids Parade.” He’s one-of-a-kind around town. “I was like, ‘oh my gosh,’ I was It took a couple of weeks, but really surprised,” Hamilton said after making the rounds to all the of when he found out. “I think it’s city’s elementary schools last pretty cool to have the same spring, looking for students with birthday as Sammamish.” the same birthday as The city celebration starts Sammamish, Mayor Don Gerend with the parade at 10 a.m. and finally found Hamilton. Hamilton, then a Mead See PARADE, Page 11
SAMMAMISH REVIEW
Off to the (zucchini) races
Photo by Christopher Huber
A group of boys tests their engineering as they send their zucchini race cars down the strip during the Sammamish Farmers Market Aug. 19.
Community can help local teachers before the bell rings Volunteers are needed to help with classrooms By Chantelle Lusebrink
Bringing an apple for the teacher may be an excellent idea the first day, but how about helping them get their classrooms ready? Some teachers, especially those recently hired, spend long hours putting their classrooms together, which is why Pine Lake Covenant Church is asking for your help. This year, church pastors and volunteers are sponsoring Help A Teacher Day 2009 Aug. 29. The day brings volunteers from the church and community together and assigns them to a teacher in the Issaquah School District who needs help. Volunteer teams will work at Apollo, Challenger, Cougar Ridge, Grand Ridge, Issaquah Valley and Sunset elementary schools and in special education classrooms at Tiger Mountain Community High School and
Skyline High School. The idea came in response to reports of budget cuts, said Beth Yeager, community mission pastor for the church. “Knowing teachers face challenges in the year coming up, with increased class sizes and reductions in resources, this is a way to come alongside teachers. We want to support them and to let them know the community
How to help: Visit www.plcc.org and click on “Help A Teacher Day 2009.” is grateful for their teaching and let them know we are behind and support them.” Bellevue’s First Presbyterian Church has a similar program, which Yeager said she modeled the program after. Volunteers are still needed for the event from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 29. Volunteers need to register at the church’s Web site. Once registered, they are assigned to a school coordinator and given their school assignment.
Volunteers need to arrive at their school at 8:45 a.m. for a team meeting before beginning work that day. School officials will direct grounds maintenance crews and teachers will lead the classroom setup teams, directing them to complete specific tasks like unpacking boxes, setting up bulletin boards and preparing supplies. “We are so pleased to have the community helping our teachers as they prepare for the new school year,” Sara Niegowski, district communications director, wrote in an email. “Come September 2, those classrooms will be hopping with students and the teachers will be off and running until next June, so it’s wonderful to have the extra helping hands and the moral support. I’m sure it will enable our teachers be even more energized and focused when children return.” Reach Reporter Chantelle Lusebrink at 392-6434, ext. 241, or clusebrink@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.SammamishReview.com.
SAMMAMISH REVIEW
December 16, 2009 •
13
They’ve got rhythm, they’ve got music By Christopher Huber
The final bell rang, dismissing all the students for the day at Samantha Smith Elementary. But after music teacher Adam Gross’s classroom cleared out, another set of students meandered in. The room bustled with energetic youth, who were awaiting instruction. They would spend the next hour practicing for their upcoming concert Dec. 10. The dozen or so children dropped their backpacks and squirmed around on the floor next to some two-foot-tall drums — some argued over who should play the larger, lower-toned ones first and who would get the lone djembe drum. Gross teaches the after-school World Rhythms Ensemble at Smith. They meet every Monday to learn basic beats, chants and rhythms using tubano drums and their voices. They learn styles and methods for various cultures around the world. “There’s not anything more effective in connecting the body
Lake Washington accepting Quest program applications The Lake Washington School District will be accepting applications for the junior high Quest program for highly capable students (grades seven through nine) from Jan. 6 through 4 p.m. Jan. 22. Applications are for the 2010-2011 school year. Students must meet specific screening criteria to be considered for Quest assessment, according to a district press release. Visit the Quest program Web site at www.lwsd.org/parents/acceleratedprograms/quest for the detailed criteria. Parents can learn more about the program at the junior high section of the site, or at the Quest office, at the district’s resource center, 16250 N.E. 74th St. in Redmond. Contact Jannette Cimburek at 702-3238 or Quest@lwsd.org for more information.
and music than drumming,” Gross said in the ensemble’s final rehearsal Dec. 7. “Drumming … strips away all the Western European influence on music.” He started the class in the spring quarter of 2007 because he saw a need for more instrumental music instruction at the school. Gross, a drummer himself, had taught drumming to inner-city students in Seattle and realized he could bring that to Sammamish. “There’s no reason I felt it should be restricted to kids in the inner city,” he said. “There didn’t seem to be an instrumental outlet for the kids.” The Smith PTA sponsored the program, which costs $50 for 10 sessions, and has provided financial assistance for anyone who wants to take the class. Most of the students seemed focused and intent on following the beats given, as Gross gave commands using loud tweets from a whistle. They began class sitting in a semi-circle and each student lead the group in their own made-up rhythm to imitate. They all seem to enjoy grooving to the beat and hitting the drum as firmly and accurately as
Photo by Christopher Huber
Smith Elementary students take turns leading the group in various drumming patterns. they can. “(I like this class) because you can play different instruments, learn different rhythms and I have a fantastic teacher,” said fourth-grader Alia O’Neill, who is in her third quarter-long session. “He can be serious and he can be funny,” she said. After practicing three African drum pieces — Jingoloba, Moshi and Funga Alafia — for the concert, Gross and the children broke out the xylophones, and other percussion instruments.
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Together, they pieced together the parts of a sound story based on Owen Lewis’ “Storm Boy.” O’Neill said she likes “xylophones, because each one has a different sound.” For some, the class is almost therapeutic, or a way to be more social outside of regular class, Gross said. But for some, they just want to make noise and hit a
drum. “For the boys, they look at these drums all year long (in music class) and say, ‘ah, man, I gotta hit one of those things,’” Gross said. “This is a chance to be loud.” Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.
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September 23, 2009
sports
SAMMAMISH REVIEW
Skyline lacks rhythm, falls to Oaks Christian By Christopher Huber
When the teams left the field for halftime, Skyline junior wide receiver Kasen Williams told his teammates not to quit. That’s not what Skyline does, he said. The Spartans were down 21-17 at the break to one of the nation’s best teams in Oaks Christian. Lions quarterback Nick Montana, a Washington verbal commit, and his offense had struck three times through the air and their running game picked away at the Skyline defense. Skyline got off to a jittery start on offense in front of 4,400 fans and a national TV audience Sept. 18, but had come back from a 140 first-quarter deficit to score 17 unanswered points in the second. Skyline let one more Lions touchdown slip by, but the game was nowhere near decided. “I told my team I wasn’t going to quit,” Williams said after the game at Spartan Stadium. “And that’s what we did, we didn’t quit. Down to the end, even when we’re down, we don’t quit.” And they didn’t quit. But Oaks Christian, from Westlake Village, Calif., handed Skyline its first loss since November 2006 (31games) in its 28-25 victory.
Photo by Greg Farrar
Kasen Williams, Skyline junior wide receiver, collects a Jake Heaps pass in the end zone to tie the game 14-all in the second quarter against Oaks Christian senior defensive back Max Napolitano. “We don’t want to feel this anger ever again,” Williams said. “We never want to be in this posi-
tion again, so what we’re going to do now is go back to the drawing board and we’re going to figure
things out and we’re going to get ready for next week. We still have that state championship to go to.”
The dagger to the heart came on a last minute fourth-quarter Skyline drive that shaped up to be a comeback drive to remember. Running back Nick Washburn ran the ball in for a touchdown and the 2-point conversion brought the score to within three, 28-25, with 3:31 remaining. Skyline’s defense pressured Montana heavily and forced a punt. And Skyline fans went wild, knowing they might witness an historic comeback. With 1:56 left, Spartans quarterback Jake Heaps strung together a drive that included 16and 25-yard passes to Williams and Connor Brandt respectively. Washburn helped pick away at the clock and Oaks Christian defense. “I think it just shows the resilience of our team,” Heaps said of the comeback. “We’re not a team that’s going to give up. We’re not a team that’s going to back down. We’re going to claw and fight our way back through. Unfortunately, I made a mistake at the end of the game and it was costly.” Montana and Heaps are conSee SPARTANS, Page 15
No. 1 Eastside Catholic overtakes Eastlake volleyball By Christopher Huber
Photo by Christopher Huber
Eastside Catholic’s Kelly Finan, left, and Sarah Hill try to block the ball in the first set against Eastlake Sept. 14.
“This was just kind of a barometer for us to see where we are,” Considering it faced the No. 1 Eastlake head coach Gaylene team in the Washington Class 3A Page said after the game. “We volleyball standings, the Eastlake wanted to see kind of how we Wolves put up a pretty good fight measured up.” Sept. 14 against Eastside Catholic. The Lady Wolves kept in stride The atmowith Eastside sphere was Catholic “I think we held it electric in the through the together pretty well for first and seccross-town, preseason ond sets, but the first two games.” match-up, as lost steam in – Gaylene Page, both schools the third. brought sizeEastlake had Eastlake coach – able student its moments, sections to but struggled cheer on the girls at the Crusader to defend against dominating gym in Sammamish. attacks from Brooke Bachesta and Eastside Catholic played conCami Silverman. sistent volleyball and put up “We work on trying to improve respectable numbers, beating every match as much as we can,” Eastlake 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-11) Eastside Catholic head coach in each team’s second game of See VOLLEYBALL, Page 15 the season.
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September 30, 2009
sports
SAMMAMISH REVIEW
Skyline soccer tops Eastlake in cross-town duel By Christopher Huber
“It kind of just worked out. Two of them (defenders) came When Skyline forward Jackie from behind me and I just kind Wilson broke open the 0-0 tie in of fell forward and hit it,” Wilson the 53rd minute against the said after the game. “It was pretty Eastlake Wolves Sept. 24, the lucky. It was kind of like a golf home crowd and her teammates putt.” went wild. In the end, Skyline came out The two Sammamish teams with a 2-1 victory over Eastlake at had played a physical game of Spartan Stadium. cat-and-mouse all evening and Both teams duked it out for 80 Eastlake had minutes of not given the “It was pretty lucky. It aggressive but Lady Spartans measured play. was kind of like a golf any real Eastlake conchances to trolled the putt.” score. tempo early – Jackie Wilson, As Wilson, a and had a few Skyline soccer player – sophomore, set opportunities up in the midoffensively. dle of the box “We were and tussled with Eastlake defend- pushing it down their throats,” er Savannah Gunning, her teamsaid Eastlake senior captain Allie mate, Maddie Christ, dribbled up Beahan. “The only two chances the right side of the field and fed they had were those two and it to the center. Wilson got the they scored off of them.” ball, fended off the ensuing But the second half saw a rejuEastlake defense and somehow venated Skyline, which scored tipped the ball in the right side of when it counted, maintain a tight the goal as she fell. defense and beat the swift Wolves
Photo by Christopher Huber
Skyline midfielder Madi Barney jostles with Eastlake defender Jamie Marzano to control the ball in the first half Sept. 24. in the air. “They are very good in the air. They were winning a majority of the header balls,” Beahan said.
“And we know we need to work on that, but we’ll see ‘em again.” After the Wilson goal, Eastlake got lucky in the 67th minute
when Skyline’s Dom Randle accidentally headed the ball into her See SOCCER, Page 15
Eastlake golfers edge out Skyline after tough finish By Christopher Huber
Photo by Greg Farrar
A.J. Taylor, senior, hits out of the sand trap.
Through the first seven holes of Sahalee’s South 9, the Skyline boys golf team held its own against Eastlake Sept. 22. But Cole Clearman and Nathan Stephenson, Skyline’s top two golfers, had averaged 40stroke finishes through the first four matches of the season and were looking good. The Spartans had kept pace with Eastlake and looked to make it a close game. “Then the eighth and ninth holes happened,” said Skyline coach Mike Fleming. Suffice it to say Eastlake continues its hunt for the KingCo title after it beat Skyline 205-213. Eastlake freshman Li Wang was the medalist against Skyline, finishing with an even 36. Teammate Evan Alston had a 38 and Skyline’s Jordan Windsor had a 40-stroke finish on the par36 course. A.J. Taylor, of Skyline came in with a 42. “I think our team never gave up,” Wang said. “Even though they lost to their guys, they never
gave up. They kept grinding it out.” He said the win was nice and helps in the pursuit of a KingCo title, but Eastlake could have played better, considering Sahalee is its home course. “It really pays off to have played the course before,” Wang said. Wang, who seems particularly familiar with the course, added that the Skyline match was a bit tougher Sept. 22 because the groundskeepers had kept the Sahalee South 9 grass a little longer in the rough. The 444-yard, par-4 hole No. 8 is a challenge for many, but for Skyline players, who are accustomed to the wider and more open Plateau Club fairways, it proved too challenging. It doglegs right, with a forest of trees to the right and three bunkers on the left side of a fairway that slopes to the left. Two more bunkers sit at the opening to the green, which slopes up from front to back. See GOLF, Page 15