sammamishreview052312

8

l

May 23, 2012

COMMUNITY

SAMMAMISH REVIEW

Walk will help raise money for suicide prevention efforts

By Lillian Tucker

Photo by Lillian Tucker

Relay for Life participants devoted much of their Saturday and early Sunday morning to walking laps around the track at Eastlake High School May 19-20.

Eastlake’s Relay for Life raises money to fight against cancer

By Lillian Tucker

The stadium at Eastlake High School looked a lot different than usual last weekend.

The turf was littered not by athletes in helmets and pads, but by tents, lots of tents. There, on May 19 a group of 650 people camped out as part of Eastlake’s annual Relay for Life event. By the time the last team members finished walking the track early on the morning of May 20, the group of mostly students had raised $124,959 for the American Cancer Society. That number will go up in the coming days as matching donations pour in.

To participate, each team member has to raise at least $100. However, many of them went far and above the minimum. The event’s top fundraiser was 17-year-old Jack Callahan.

The co-chair of Eastlake’s relay raised $5,180, beating the fundraising efforts of his sister Bailey by $93.

“Personally cancer has affected my family severely,” said Jack. His little sister Maddy died on Nov. 30, 2009 after a yearlong battle against leukemia.

“Cancer is a thing where there are no sides – it’s something everyone agrees needs to be eradicated.” Jack’s little sister had four teams named in her honor, including Mighty Maddy 3, which finished the relay as the top fundraising team at $10,855.

“One of my favorite parts is looking at everyone’s different team name,” said Kaylee

Hansen, who partnered with Jack to organize the relay. The junior at Eastlake raised $3,422.

She and 15 other students walked as team “Fight Like a Girl.”

“My stepmom had breast cancer and that was her motto.

She showed me the song, Fight Like a Girl by Bombshell, - that was her treatment song,” Kaylee said.

“Almost every tent here has a story,” said Jack. “It really shows how cancer touches everyone.”

Jack was joined by 19 other Eastlake students this year to help organize the Relay for Life.

From advertising to showing up

“It really shows how cancer touches everyone.”

– Jack Callahan, Organizer – at school at 6 a.m. on a Saturday, the event was completely run by teenagers with the exception of a staff member from the American Cancer Society.

“It’s kind of hard being a youth event and getting sponsors,” said Hanson. “But being a youth event makes kids feel like they are actually doing something special.”

Sixteen-year-old Rheame Ali drove to Portland with a couple of friends the week before to pick up 60 loafs of bread.

“No one else would donate,” said Ali. “We got turned down by

a lot of donors.”

However, things did come together in the end for the teens.

Usually the students round up $1,000 worth of sponsorships, but this year, said Hanson, they found enough sponsors in the end to triple that.

The donated food was used to help keep participants going through the night.

Hanson said that she and her friends planned to run laps around the track and eat lots of sugar to keep themselves awake all night.

Other stimulants included live music, movies and a giant game of ultimate Frisbee.

After the luminaria ceremony that night, Jack said he planned to power through till the wee hours of the morning.

“That’s usually me,” he said.

“After the luminary ceremony I’ll be walking till 4 a.m.”

After all, the promise to walk is what helps fuel donations.

Money from the relay goes to the American Cancer Society to help fund research and other programs like providing wigs and rides to hospitals for cancer treatment.

“They’re programs to help make cancer more bearable,” said Jack. “My sister used a wig. It’s just a small thing that people want hair. But it means so much.”

Skyline High School plans to host its own Relay for Life June 2 – 3. For more information on the upcoming event and to sign up, go to www.relay.acsevents. org and search for Issaquah.

“However, this past month I, sadly, lost a friend that I hadn’t Kate McCullough never met seen in a while. This gave me her aunt. more drive…it is devastating to Her mother’s twin sister, Jean everyone when you lose someAngelis Majeski, had suffered one to suicide.” under the haze of mental illness McNeal and McCullough are and depression for years. Then, not alone. Suicide is the 10th at age 26, she ended her life. leading cause of death among Now, decades later, Angelis Americans, according to the Majeski’s niece is walking 18 Centers for Disease Control and miles in her name.

Prevention. More than 36,000 On June 9 and 10 McCullough people kill themselves each year, will have left Sammamish but they are the minority as more behind to take part in the people survive suicide attempts American Foundation for Suicide than actually die. The CDC also Prevention’s Out of the Darkness reports that emergency rooms Overnight. From sundown to annually treat more than 374,000 sun-up, people from around the people with self-inflicted injuries. country will walk through the There are a number of risk streets of San Francisco to raise factors including addiction, famfunds and awareness for suicide ily history of suicide or violence prevention. This is not the first and physical illness. But the bigtime McCullough has walked gest one is mental illness. The through the night. She was there journal “Clinical Neuroscience in 2008 when Seattle hosted the Research” reported in 2001 that same event. more than 90 percent of people “The openwho killed ing ceremony “People don’t know what themselves sufwas bitterfrom some to say but the reality is fer sweet. That sort of mental that people want to talk disorder, like was when there were depression. In about that person.” the most 2003, a study – Kate McCullough, tears,” said published in McCullough. the “Journal She added that of Psychiatric it wasn’t all sad and that she actu- Research” found that people ally enjoyed the walk because it with depression, those that had gave her and others the chance to attempted suicide and the brains talk. “People don’t know what to of suicide victims had decreased say but the reality is that people levels of serotonin, the body’s want to talk about that person so natural happy drug. it is a great opportunity to talk “Even though there has been about that person or yourself.” enough research to prove this While she didn’t know anyone at is a chemical illness it is very the 2008 event, McCullough said hard for people to understand she felt welcome. that what you do with your emoThis time around McCullough tions or thought is something will be joined by her two sisters that you may not be able to and a group from around the control or need help with,” said Pacific Northwest. So far the McCullough. “I myself have dealt team has raised nearly $1,300. with a lot of issues with mental “This is fairly unique. Most health and it’s not something you people have been touched by can really talk about. If you have mental illness and suicide, the flu, people are sympathetic.” whether they know it or not,” McCullough said combating said McCullough. Since she has the social stigma that is attached started fundraising she said she to mental illness is another reahas been contacted by a number son why she is walking the 18 of people who have lost someone miles. to suicide. “They don’t always “I don’t think people are looktalk a lot, but it helps them to ing for a free card or empathy,” cope and feel like they are doing she said.”But we are just looking something to help.” for an understanding.”

“When I started with the So far McCullough has raised foundation in November 2009, $1,076, but she said she is deterI was not a survivor of a suicide mined to reach $1,500. That loss,” wrote Pacific Northwest director Jo McNeal, in an email.

See PREVENT, Page 9

SAMMAMISH REVIEW

Events

Calendar Learn about the bears in the yard

23

30

June 2

Friends of the Sammamish Library will hold their annual book sale from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 2 at the library.

8

Grand opening and open house of the new King County Sheriff’s Office precinct at Sammamish City Hall is from 1-3 p.m. June 8.

10

The Sammamish Symphony will perform their final concert of their 20th anniversary season, ‘American Classics” at 2 p.m. June 10 at Eastlake High School. For more information, or for tickets, visit SammamishSymphony.org.

15

Sammamish Teen Fest featuring music, food, games and a skate competition is set for 1 p.m. June 15 at Sammamish Commons.

1 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 15 16 17 18 19 22 23 24 25 26 29 30 31

May 23 Issaquah School Board meeting, 7 p.m. at district headquarters, 565 N.W. Holly St. in Issaquah

Learn about how to use solar energy in the Pacific Northwest at 7 p.m. May 23 at the Sammamish Library.

A seminar about new techniques in the treatment of colon cancer is at 7 p.m. May 30 at the Sammamish Library.

2012

public calendar

A lecture about the Lake Sammamish Kokanee Salmon Program is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 23 at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery.

24

May 6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28

The Lake Washington Schools Foundation will hold its annual Legacy for Learning fundraiser luncheon starting at 11 a.m. May 23 at Lake Washington High School. To register, visit www.lwsf.org.

Musical Fun for Everyone, a concert for all ages with an adult, features songs, poetry, finger puppets, stories and more at the Sammamish Library at 10 and 11 a.m. May 24.

Registration is required.

May 23, 2012 l 11

June 4 Learn to live with carnivores at a talk by Brian Kertson of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife who will discuss the behavior and ecology of cougars, bobcats, black bears, wolves and coyotes at 6 p.m. June 6 at the Sammamish Library.

Focus on faith Grief Share Support Group meeting from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday nights at Sammamish Presbyterian Church.

Wednesday night youth group will have games, worship and fun for students in grades six-12 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Wednesdays at Sammamish Presbyterian Church.

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) allows mothers of young children time to make friends, share stories and grow spiritually. The group generally meets twice a month on Thursday mornings at Mary, Queen of Peace Church. Visit www.mops.org.

A Toast to the Lord, a faith-based Toastmasters club, meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Friday at the Fire Station No. 83 on Issaquah–Pine Lake Road. They offer job interviewing skill development for those seeking employment or a career change; motivational and inspirational speaking training. Call 427-9682 or email orator@live.com.

Mary, Queen of Peace youth groups are for children in sixth-eighth grade and ninth12th grades. Meetings are at 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Call the church at 391-1178, ext. 129.

Faith United Methodist Church offers “Faith Cafe” for women of all ages. Dropin coffee time, scrapbooking/ stamping, mom and baby playgroup, quilting/knitting and walking group, classes, studies and themed days. 9:30 a.m.

Wednesdays. Call Jo Lucas at 837-1948.

Healing Prayer Service.

For those who desire to make space for God in a peaceful setting, the fourth Tuesday of every month, 7 p.m., at Pine Lake Covenant Church. Email tamara@missiolux.org or call 890-3913.

Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered program offering support. Mondays, 7-9 p.m., Pine Lake Covenant Church.

Visit www.missiolux.org, or call 392-8636.

Griefshare, a support group for those who have lost a loved one is from 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at Sammamish Presbyterian Church.

Moms in Touch International invites Christian moms and grandmas to replace their anxiety with peace and hope through prayer. Visit www.momsintouch.org. Contact Linda Yee at lindaryee@comcast.net.

Pine Lake Covenant Church offers a ministry for children with special needs at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Call 3928636.

“Caffeine for the Soul,” a Judaic and Torah class for women, is from 1-1:45 p.m.

Tuesdays at Caffé Ladro in Issaquah Highlands Shopping Center. Call Chabad of the Central Cascades 427-1654.

Free Hebrew classes are offered through Chabad of the Central Cascades. Call 4271654.

Lake Washington School Board worksession at 5:30 p.m. followed by a business meeting at 7 p.m. at the L.E. Scarr Resource Center, located at 16250 N.E. 74th St., Redmond June 5 Sammamish City Council at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall June 6 City Council office hours at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall Parks and Recreation Committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall June 12 Sammamish City Council Study Session at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall

Kabalat Shabbat 7 p.m., Fridays, the Chabad House at the Issaquah Highlands. Call 427-1654.

June 13

Learn to read and speak Samskritam at the Vedic Cultural Center. Visit www. vedicculturalcenter.org.

Issaquah School Board meeting, 7 p.m. at district headquarters, 565 N.W. Holly St. in Issaquah

Community Bible Study, open to all women, meets Thursday mornings. Visit www.redmondcbs.org.

June 14

Bhajan Bliss. Musicians and singers teach the traditional devotional bhajan. Vegetarian food, 7:30-9 p.m., Fridays at the Vedic Cultural Center.

To submit items for the Community Calendar, email to samrev@isspress.com.

Items will be edited and must be received by the Wednesday before publication.

Sammamish Youth Board meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall

Sammamish Planning Commission at 6 p.m. at City Hall Community garden steering committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall June 20 Issaquah School Board meeting, 7 p.m. at district headquarters, 565 N.W. Holly St. in Issaquah

12

l

sports

May 23, 2012

SAMMAMISH REVIEW

Runners from both plateau schools head to state meet

By Lillian Tucker

After two days of battling it out with 19 other teams at the bi-district track meet May 16 and 18 Eastlake and Skyline emerged with several athletes still in the post-season running.

Contenders in each event in Marysville had to place in the top five to advance to the upcoming 4A Track and Field State Championships. The Eastlake Wolves are sending six individuals and one relay team to the statewide meet in Tacoma May 24-26. Representing the Skyline Spartans will be nine individuals and three relay teams.

“I’m looking forward to it and have great expectations for the team to do real well,” said Eastlake Coach Steve Jones. “I think we will be in great shape for state. I’m proud of the kids; all of them worked real hard and had a great effort.”

Of the team’s many state participants, Ryan Lewis, a senior at Eastlake, should be pretty

File photo

Drew Mathews, a senior at Skyline, is set to compete in the 400-meter race at the State championship after winning last week’s bi-meet with a time of 48.50. busy at the championships as he will be competing in the mens

100- and 200-meter races. At the bi-district meet Lewis ran the

100 in 10.98 seconds to take first place. He finished the 200 in

second place.

“It was a close race,” said Jones. “I’m sure he’d have loved to get first but you can’t sneeze at second.”

It was also a good meet for Lauren Files. The Eastlake senior won the 300 hurdles with a time of 45.51. The 100 hurdles was a close race. Files finished a quarter-of-a-second behind the first place runner to take third place. Both times were more than enough to send her to state.

However, her finish in the 200 was not. After running the race in 26.21 in the preliminary round to take third, Files came back May 18 to shave nearly a half a second off her time. She beat Eastlake’s school record for the fifth time this year, but her 25.89 finish was a hair slower than the girl who came in fifth place.

“It was close; that is really unusual,” said Jones. “She is a great kid, great student athlete, See TRACK, Page 13

Theresa Huang bests Katie Park in KingCo tennis

By Lillian Tucker

long time is difficult.”

“She deserves credit for putSkyline and Eastlake squared ting so much time in,” said Park off at the KingCo tennis champiafter the match. “I’m a little onships when two of their young- disappointed. I felt that it could est and best players, Theresa have gone either way but she Huang and Katie Park faced each played better than me today so other in the girls singles semifishe deserves it.” nals.

Many of the matches’ games This was the first year both came down to deuces, where the girls got the chance to play vartwo were tied 40-40, but Huang sity high school tennis and both always managed to pull out the were quickly bumped up to play win. The Spartan spent most in the singles No. 1 spot. Their of the match on the offensive, relative youth playing out a was not evistrategy that “She was put into a dent May 16 kept Park movposition where she had ing. The fact at Kirkland’s Outreach and that Park was a difficult shot.”

Performance constantly hav– Bud Peterson, Tennis Center ing to adjust Coach – when the two to return rallied for a Huang’s shots shot at the didn’t leave the KingCo title. In the end Huang Eastlake Wolf much opportunity won the match for the Skyline to make her own strategic hits.

Spartans and advanced to the As the first set wore on, Park championship match. She beat appeared to be frustrated as Park 6-0, 6-0. her composure faded. During “A freshman in the finals is a the break, Eastlake coach Bud great accomplishment for her,” Peterson went out onto the court said Skyline coach Bettina Gehle. to give Park a pep talk.

She said Huang had put in a lot “You have to forget about of effort all season and beyond as everything that just transpired; she is already aiming to eventuget back into strategy,” Peterson ally play on a college team. Gehle said afterward. “You want to added that one of Huang’s great generate movement. It’s difficult strengths is her focus. “Especially when they’ve got you moving… when you are young, to focus a She was put into a position where

Photo by Lillian Tucker

Katie Park, of Eastlake, returns a shot from Skyline’s Theresa Huang in the semifinal round of the KingCo Championships. Park eventually lost 6-0, 6-0. she had a difficult shot and that’s because Theresa put her there.”

“I just try to stay patient and have controlled aggression - not go for too much but go for the

right shots at the right opportunities,” said Huang. “I’ve been working on it (topspin) a lot recently to me create short balls for my opponents.”

Park did manage to get a few up on Huang. During a rally in the second set, Park took advanSee TENNIS, Page 13