calendar www.yvcc.edu/calendar
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June 6-July 5: Members’ Arts and Crafts Show
July 27: Suminagashi
The Larson Gallery presents the annual Members’ Arts and Crafts Show. This non-juried exhibition highlights the creative talents of the Larson Gallery Guild. For more information: 574.4875 or www.larsongallery.org
The Larson Gallery presents Suminagashi with Joan CawleyCrane. Suminagashi is the art of creating Japanese marbled paper. In this workshop participants will have the opportunity to use the zen process of floating sumi ink and paint on clear water. The design is manipulated by your breath and floated onto and absorbed into Japanese waterleaf paper. For more information: 574.4875 or www.larsongallery.org
July 8-11: Volleyball Camp Join YVCC for individual skills volleyball camps for grades 5-8 & 9-12. Fundamentals include passing, hitting, defense, serving, and receiving. Cost is $90. For more information: 574.4729 or arogers@yvcc.edu
July 13 & 14: Printmaking Workshop The Larson Gallery presents Printmaking with Gloria Gonzáles García. Participants will discover and explore printmaking, including creating monoprints using additive and subtractive techniques on YVCC’s new state-of-the-art etching press. Participants will also learn viscosity and registration methods. For more information: 574.4875 or www.larsongallery.org
July 15-19: Soccer Camp Join YVCC for a summer soccer camp for children ages 5-12. Participants will receive age appropriate development of individual skills and team cohesion in a positive and fun learning environment. Skills presented include control, dribble, passing, finishing on goal, defending, individual expression, and team unity. Cost is $60. For more information: pmonahan@yvcc.edu
July 15-18: High School 3v3 Soccer Camp High school players are invited to join college players to learn technical skills and tactical team play. Cost is $60. For more information: pmonahan@yvcc.edu
July 20 & 21: Watercolor Techniques The Larson Gallery presents Watercolor Techniques with Steve Henderson. Henderson’s eye for color causes his paintings to jump out at the viewer. In this workshop he will discuss and demonstrate how to incorporate rich, vibrant color onto paper. For more information: 574.4875 or www.larsongallery.org
July 28: Book Sewing Forms The Larson Gallery presents Book Sewing Forms with Joan CawleyCrane. Participants will learn the elements of bookbinding, from “simple” flexible paper covers to protective board covers and from sewn single signatures, to more elaborate multi-signature sewn books. For more information: 574.4875 or www.larsongallery.org
July 29-August 1: Volleyball Camp Join YVCC for individual skills volleyball camps for grades 5-8 & 9-12. Fundamentals include passing, hitting, defense, serving, and receiving. Cost is $90. For more information: 574.4729 or arogers@yvcc.edu
September 12-October 19: Leo Adams Art, Home The Larson Gallery presents Leo Adams: Art, Home exhibit. The event will be held in conjunction with the Yakima Valley Museum. For more information: 574.4875 or www.larsongallery.org
September 19: Membership Open House The Larson Gallery invites members of the Larson Gallery Guild and those who would like to join the Guild to meet, socialize, and enjoy the gallery. The event will be held from 5:00-7:30pm and includes appetizers, wine, and the chance to win local art. For more information: 574.4875 or www.larsongallery.org
September 23: Fall Quarter Begins YVCC classes for fall quarter 2013 begin on September 23. New students must apply prior to August 20. For more information: www.yvcc.edu
Contents 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 13 14
President’s Letter Commencement YVCC Awards Campus News Larson Gallery Student Activities Scholarships YVCC Graduates Athletics Sharing Good News
Water Bottles for a Cause YVCC’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) recently partnered with Liberty Bottleworks to design custom water bottles. Students from the club then sold the bottles at YVCC’s Spring Fling event and donated all proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. “I chose this cause because I have a good friend whose father was diagnosed with this disease in his mid-forties,” stated PTK President Tyler Scheuerman. “I witnessed the pain he went through having a father who could no longer recognize his own family. As a club we decided to help raise money for research in hopes of finding a cure,” he concluded.
Produced by YVCC Community Relations Niki Hopkins & Stefanie Menard Published June 2013 If you would like to be added or removed from our mailing list, please contact us: Yakima Valley Community College Office of Community Relations PO Box 22520 • Yakima, WA 98907-2520 email: communityrelations@yvcc.edu / 509.574.4646
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From the President
President Dr. Linda Kaminski Board of Trustees Paul McDonald, Chair Robert Ozuna Lisa Parker Patricia Whitefoot VP of Administrative Services Teresa Holland
Spring quarter has traditionally been jubilant and this year was no exception. There is an aura of excitement that pervades our campuses once spring arrives. Students assemble on the lawn between classes to relax, study, sunbathe, and play hackie sack. Graduating students can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Faculty and staff are counting the days until their long-awaited summer breaks. The calendar abounds with completion and pinning ceremonies; concerts, drama performances and art displays; awards presentations; end-of-year celebrations; athletic tournaments; and, of course, the grand finale -- commencement. In this issue, you get a glimpse of the many events and activities that represent the varied talents and outstanding accomplishments of our students and staff. We are elated to see 1,001 students reach their educational goals and transition to the next level of education or begin their careers. This is the largest number of students and degrees/certificates in the 85-year history of the college. Most of these students will stay in our communities and be highly trained professionals and community leaders who contribute to the quality of life in our valley. Spring is also a time to reflect on how fortunate we are to have this college, with its many extraordinary faculty and staff who transform the lives of our students every day. We are extremely proud of our students’ success and grateful to you for your ongoing support of higher education opportunities at Yakima Valley Community College.
Sincerely,
VP of Instruction and Student Services TomĂĄs Ybarra Deans Arts & Sciences and Basic Skills Kerrie Abb Workforce Education Paulette Lopez Student Services Leslie Blackaby Grandview Campus Dr. Bryce Humpherys
Linda Kaminski, Ed.D. President
commencement
• 1,127 degrees and certificates were awarded • 1,001 students received degrees • 149 students attended the Grandview Campus • 67 graduates were students in YVCC’s Running Start Program • 18 to 65 was the age range of graduates • 235 students received honors and 56 received high honors • 45% of graduates were students of color • 67% of graduates were female
graduation 2013
On June 13 YVCC celebrated our 84th Commencement Ceremony with keynote speaker Marty Brown. Brown is the Executive Director of the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). He has a 34-year history in policy development and budgeting for the state legislature and governor’s office. He began his employment in Olympia in 1978 as a senate committee staff member, and advanced to senate democrat caucus attorney, senate democrat staff director, and secretary of the Senate. In 1997 Brown was named director of legislative affairs for incoming Governor Gary Locke, and later became deputy chief of staff and director of the Office of Financial Management. In 2005, under Governor Christine Gregoire, Brown was appointed director of legislative affairs and then had the opportunity to once again serve as the director of Office of Financial Management until he assumed his new role with SBCTC in September 2012. The graduating class was also addressed by student speaker Donelle Pitzer. The daughter of a naval officer, she moved with her family to several states during her childhood including Florida, Idaho, New Jersey, and Washington. In 1999 she earned her GED from Yakima Valley Community College. She then began taking college-level courses on a part-time basis. Returning to YVCC when her children began school, Pitzer was determined to finally earn her degree. “YVCC is not just my school; it has become a part of who I am,” stated Pitzer. “What I have learned on this campus was so much more than just academics and will be essential knowledge when living my story. YVCC has given me the confidence to realize I can do whatever I set my mind to and has not only helped me to realize my potential but has given me the tools to continue with my story and write my own ending,” she concluded. She plans to transfer to a four-year university when her husband completes his studies at YVCC. She is interested in studying hotel management and event planning.
YVCC awards Distinguished Alumnus Award Dr. Gary Tollefson is this year’s recipient of the YVCC Distinguished Alumnus Award. Tollefson has devoted his life to education. He grew up in the Yakima Valley and graduated from Toppenish High School. In 1969 he earned his associate’s degree from YVCC before transferring to Western Washington University (WWU) where he earned his bachelor’s degree in education. While teaching history at Eisenhower High School he worked to complete his master’s degree, also from WWU. He then transitioned from teaching to college administration and served as acting associate registrar at WWU from 1975-1976, director of admissions/registrar at Lewis-Clark State College from 1976-1979, and associate director of admissions at Eastern Washington University from 1979-1981. In 1981 he joined the administrative team at YVCC. During his tenure he served the college through several roles in the student services and instruction divisions. In 1990 he became dean of professional/technical programs followed by appointment as dean of arts and sciences. During this time he also completed his doctoral degree in education from Seattle University. Beginning in 1994 he became vice president of instruction and student services; a position he held until spring 2003. In May 2003 he was appointed president of Skagit Valley College, where he served until his retirement in 2012. He is currently working as a consultant for Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) for Higher Education in Dallas, Texas. Distinguished Service Award YVCC is honored to present The Larson Gallery Guild (LGG) with the 2013 Distinguished Service Award. The LGG is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Larson Gallery and the artists who participate in its programs. The LGG works in partnership with the Larson Gallery and YVCC to provide a cultural resource for the Central Washington region. Located on the YVCC Yakima Campus, the Larson Gallery works to present, preserve, and promote the art and artists of our region. The oldest gallery of its kind in Central Washington, the Larson Gallery exhibits the finest and most progressive art from local, regional, and national artists in curated solo and small group exhibitions, as well as large juried competitions. The gallery also hosts several educational opportunities for YVCC students, K-12 students, and community members. These opportunities include the summer workshop series, artist lectures, and tours. An example of the success of this collaboration is shown in the Guild’s donation of a new state-of-the-art Takach printing press to YVCC’s Department of Visual Arts. The LGG was awarded a $12,000 grant from the Yakima Valley Community Foundation to purchase the press along with print making supplies and equipment. This provides students the opportunity to explore various printmaking methods such as dry point etching, lithography, relief printing (linocuts and woodcuts), and collographs. Emeritus Faculty YVCC is pleased to honor Ms. Sue Myers as the 2013 Emeritus Faculty. A long-standing Workforce Education Instructor, Myers taught nursing courses for over 38 years before she retired in 2008. Myers grew up in Port Angeles, Washington. Following high school she attended the University of Washington (UW) where she earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing. She completed her graduate study at the UW and Central Washington University and then began her nursing career working in the Obstetrics Department at University Hospital in Seattle. She joined the faculty in YVCC’s Nursing Department in 1970. “I was interested in teaching,” stated Myers. “I wanted to pass on education to students and to continue my own learning. During my tenure at YVCC I was privileged to work with outstanding colleagues in the Nursing Department. I was able to participate in curriculum revision and accreditation self-studies,” she continued. “I also had the opportunity to experience learning with a large number of students. Teaching at YVCC was very rewarding,” she concluded. Throughout her teaching career Myers was active in her own training. She worked for several local hospitals and clinics including St. Elizabeth’s, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, the Yakima Health District, and a local pediatrician’s office. In 2007 Myers was honored by the Washington State Nurses Association for her lifetime commitment to nursing education.
Sherrie and Daryl Parker Faculty Award YVCC is pleased to honor Ms. Rachel Dorn with the 2013 Sherrie and Daryl Parker Faculty Award. An instructor in the Arts and Sciences Division, Dorn teaches various art courses in addition to running the clay studio. Growing up in Wisconsin, Dorn developed a love for art at a young age. By the time she was a sophomore in high school she knew that it would be her life’s passion. Focusing her collegiate search on schools with good art programs, she decided to attend Coe College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. Working as a professional artist, she attended fairs and sought out galleries to show and sell her work. During this time she also began teaching a summer art program as well as other classes and realized that she wanted to teach. She returned to the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she earned her masters of arts and masters of fine arts degrees. In 2006 she was hired to teach at YVCC. “To me the most rewarding aspect of teaching is when a student has been struggling with a concept or technique, which happens often with clay, and then they suddenly get it and are able to make it work. It is so cool being able to witness a student’s epiphany and have the process repeated each quarter with a new batch of students,” stated Dorn. In addition to her teaching duties Dorn is very involved with the Larson Gallery Guild and serves on its board. Robert M. Leadon Excellence in Teaching Award The YVCC Foundation presented the Robert M. Leadon Excellence in Teaching Award to Dr. Timothy D. Jeske. An instructor in the Arts and Sciences Division, he teaches courses in political science and economic history. Jeske was primarily raised in Quincy, WA. After completing a year as an exchange student in Australia he returned to Boise, Idaho where his parents had retired. He graduated from Boise High School and then went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in political science from Boise State University. Following his undergraduate work, he returned to Washington to earn his master’s degree at the University of Washington with the goal of becoming a lawyer. During that time he had the opportunity to work as a graduate teaching assistant and discovered that he had a passion for teaching. His first full-time teaching employment was at Whitman College. Following a brief break from teaching to finish his doctoral dissertation, Jeske was hired at YVCC. This fall he will celebrate his 20th anniversary with the college. Jeske actively seeks opportunities to improve his courses and provide the best possible education to students. In 2010 he completed a sabbatical designed to compare the political cultures of the United States and Turkey. He is also an active member of several political science professional associations and was president of the Pacific Northwest Political Science Association in 2006. Darlene Koch Classified Employee of the Year Award The YVCC Foundation is proud to honor Ms. Debbie McBride with the Darlene Koch Classified Employee of the Year Award. A talented employee, McBride works as a Copy Center Lead in YVCC’s Print Shop and Mailroom. Debbie has spent most of her life in the Yakima Valley. She attended Yakima schools and Davis High School before earning her GED from Yakima Valley Community College. At 18, through a partnership with People for People, Debbie began working in YVCC’s Print Shop. Following this internship she began her career in the local print industry. “I found printing interesting,” stated McBride. “In the beginning I fell into printing. However, I have stayed with this career path because I enjoy seeing a project through from beginning to end,” she continued. In 2000 Debbie returned to YVCC as the Copy Center Lead. She handles a variety of tasks related to managing YVCC’s Print Shop and Mailroom. Her duties range from graphic design, digital printing, copying, mail services, budget management, and bindery. Under Debbie’s leadership the Print Shop has transformed from having a single two-color printer used for letterhead, to a color copier which allows the college to print four-color publications on site. She has been the driving force behind researching and recommending new equipment that has resulted in production efficiencies and cost savings for the college.
campus news Activity Center Opens
From left; YVCC board of trustees and administrators Paul McDonald, Lisa Parker, Linda Kaminski, Robert Ozuna and Tomás Ybarra.
This spring YVCC’s Grandview Student Council (GSC) celebrated the newly remodeled activity center. Updated from what was once the Grandview Senior Center, the new space provides YVCC’s Grandview Student Council and students with an expanded gathering space and a location to host events and activities. “The Activity Center is important to our student body because it provides them with a space of their own to study, hang out with friends, or simply a place to grab a bite to eat,” stated GSC Programmer April Carrillo. “The event welcomed over 100 students into the updated facility,” continued Carrillo. The space also provides a new location for the GSC offices.
Mabton High School Outreach Project In collaboration with the Mabton School District YVCC is creating opportunities for high school students to experience college life with the goal of assisting interested students in pursuing higher education. Over the past several months YVCC Grandview Campus Dean Dr. Bryce Humpherys, English Instructor Brian Patterson, and Sociology Instructor Keith Reyes, have been working with Mabton High School administrators, teachers, and staff to plan and pilot a series of outreach activities for high school seniors. These efforts included a tour by the entire Mabton senior class of YVCC’s Grandview Campus. While on campus the group also took the Compass placement test, and heard about college life from currently enrolled YVCC students. The following week Patterson and Reyes met with the senior class to share with them their individual test scores and explain their college placement. Reyes and Patterson are also collaborating with two Mabton High School teachers on student assignments and plan to make several visits to the high school to help students with a culminating project. The hope is to expand the pilot into a series of activities that will last throughout the next academic year.
Students Represent YVCC in Olympia This past April Dr. Brenda Dann Messier, the Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education for the U.S. Department of Education visited Seattle. Prior to her arrival she requested that the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges coordinate a meeting with a group of students who are English language learners and who have a strong interest in congressional plans for citizenship and immigration reform. YVCC was represented by Yakima Campus Student Guillermina Cervantes and Grandview Campus Student Selia Mendoza. Both are former English as a Second Language students who have transitioned into YVCC’s Adult Basic Education program and are preparing to transition to college classes. “The Assistant Secretary conducted a very real dialogue with students,” stated YVCC Dean of Arts and Sciences and Basic Skills Kerrie Abb. “She asked students about their aspirations and goals and took diligent notes as they shared what immigration reform means to them and their families,” she concluded.
Did you know?
In 1990 YVCC expanded its educational services by opening a campus in Grandview, WA. During the initial year, it served 1,277 students. Today the Grandview Campus serves over 1,500 students annually and offers programs of study in arts and sciences, vineyard and winery technology, allied health programs, adult basic education, and English as a Second Language. Courses are also available that apply to various degrees on the Yakima Campus in areas such as agriculture, early childhood education, elementary education, business, criminal justice, and science. Yakima Valley Community College opened as a junior college in 1928. In Clio’s Corner we share historical facts and memories about our college. A special thanks to Mr. Jim Newbill, longtime YVCC history instructor and current honorary director of the YVCC Foundation for his contributions to this idea.
larson gallery
Photographs courtesy of the Larson Gallery
Summer Workshops Series This summer the Larson Gallery will devote several weekends to the creation of art. On Saturdays and Sundays, during the months of June and July, the gallery will provide opportunities for participants to explore techniques such as drawing, lampwork (glass beads), printmaking, watercolor, and bookbinding. A variety of new offerings are part of this year’s series such as classes in Sumi painting and food presentation. The Introduction of Sumi Painting, taught by Lois Yoshida, will demonstrate the delicate brushstrokes of Japanese ink and Jessica Smith, chef at Kestral Vintners, will be exploring food presentation during her class The Art of Food. The Larson Gallery will also be providing workshops where children and parents can create together. The first workshop will be presented by artist Yvonne Pepin-Wakefield and is titled Looking, Seeing, Sketching. The second class will be taught by YVCC Art Instructor Rachel Dorn and is titled Clay Bells Ring. The Larson Gallery summer workshop series is open to everyone and does not require any prior experience. Class sizes are small, interested participants should register soon. For additional information reference the calendar at the beginning of this publication or visit www.larsongallery.org
Department of Visual Art Exhibit Each spring the Department of Visual Arts (DoVA) showcases the best student work completed during the past year. Students who have taken drawing, painting, clay, design, metalsmithing, or art appreciation classes submit work through their instructors for possible inclusion in the exhibit. The artwork selected for the exhibit is eligible for awards. This year the Best of Show, a $100 cash award sponsored by the DoVA faculty, went to student Katie Schnieder for her work Tyrannosaurus Rex. The Associated Students of YVCC (ASYVCC) selects works for purchase awards, and their selections become part of the permanent student collection at YVCC. This year ASYVCC selected Jesse Will’s Honey Pot, an untitled work by Liliana Strong, and Reborn by Amanda Ontiveros. Awards of Merit are also presented in several areas including wheel thrown clay, hand-built clay, drawing, painting, metalsmithing, and collage. In addition, awards including the YVCC President’s Award, the YVCC Federation of Teacher’s Award, Dick Lord Memorial for Excellence in Design, Doug & Laurie Kanyer Purchase Award, Larson Gallery Honorable Mention, and DoVA Honorable Mention had the gallery filled with anticipation when the student’s names were called during the presentation on opening night. This exhibit not only highlights student work, but also invites art faculty to exhibit examples of their current work.
Tyrannosaurus Rex by Katie Schnieder
Reborn by Amanda Ontiveros
students + scholarships
From left; participants enjoy a drumming workshop at the 7th annual Latin Music Celebration; YVCC Chemistry Club showcases an experiment to middle school students at the Gear Up Science Fair; and YVCC students travel to a national conference to meet with psychologist Dr. Allen Gardner.
Student Activities YVCC hosted the 7th annual Latin Music Celebration under the direction of YVCC Music Instructor David Blink. YVCC partners with several organizations to host this week-long festival enriches the lives of Yakima Valley residents through music and art. This year’s partners include The Seasons Performance Hall, Yakima Morelia Sister City Association, Conservatorio De Las Rosas, and the city of Morelia. The event also included an array of artists for across-the-country performing improvisations, sax, son jarocho, trumpet, percussion, bass, trombone, composition, piano, accordion, and voice along with art and dance. This year over 6,200 students and community members participated from around the Yakima Valley. The Chemistry Club (YVC4) in conjunction with the Pre-Med Club and the Engineering Club participated in the University of Washington’s Gear Up Science Fair recently held at the Yakima Convention Center. At the event volunteers presented on the topics of acid/base chemistry, non-Newtonian fluids, spectroscopy, pulley systems, and more. “Our YVC4 students explained the science behind each of these topics to an audience ranging from 1st grade students all the way through parents and grandparents,” stated YVCC Chemistry Instructor and Club Advisor Tanya Knickerbocker. “The more we can pique students’ interest in science, the more likely they are become science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) majors. This outreach helps my students show what they know, which gives them a lot of confidence in the material. If they can explain it so someone else understands it, they feel like an expert and that helps them realize that they really ARE experts!” she continued. In total over 1,500 students attended the event along with over 1,000 community members. YVC4 continued its outreach by participating in Family Science Night at Outlook Elementary School in Sunnyside. This event provided over 200 participants the opportunity to learn about science. This Spring YVCC’s Psychology Instructor Dr. Heidi Shaw, along with YVCC students Bianca Llamas, Elizabeth Lara, and Nolan Newman, attended the annual Western Psychological Association conference in Reno, Nevada. There, the students had the unique opportunity to meet Dr. Allen Gardner. For much of the early 20th century, the scientific world was caught up in the “Nature vs. Nurture” debate. How much of a species’ behavior is encoded in its genes, and how much is shaped by its environment? In 1966, at the height of this debate, Drs. Allen and Beatrix Gardner set out to investigate the question by raising an infant chimpanzee, Washoe, as if she were a human child. “Because chimpanzees are not physically capable of producing the sounds of human language, but gesture naturally in the wild, the Gardners chose American Sign Language as the language of the project,” stated Dr. Heidi Shaw. “The idea of carrying on a conversation with another species fired the public imagination and Washoe quickly became world-renowned as the first nonhuman to learn a human language,” she continued. The project helped provide important answers, but also raised additional questions, which inspired the Gardner’s to create a second project involving four additional chimpanzees. Throughout both of these projects, the chimps’ lives were documented, however until recently, the vast majority of this documentation existed only as fading handwritten notes in 40-year-old notebooks. Recognizing the increasingly urgent need to preserve these historical records in a more permanent form, Gardner has been working with a research team to digitize the contents of the notebooks. With the goal of preservation in mind, Shaw, who studied under Gardner and worked with Washoe and other chimps from the project, enlisted the help of YVCC students to aid in the preservation efforts. “Attending this conference provided the students with invaluable professional experience and networking opportunities. Gardner, now in his 80’s, continues to head up the project, even though he is no longer able to travel extensively. Making the trip to Reno allowed the students to meet him personally. Because he was so gracious as to let us stay in his guest quarters, the students were able to spend a significant amount of time with him informally discussing the history of and current status of the research,” concluded Shaw. Article and photograph courtesy of Dr. Heidi Shaw.
Scholarships YVCC Foundation This spring the YVCC Foundation hosted its 17th Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony. During the ceremony the Foundation awarded over 100 students with scholarships totaling $230,000. “Without the help of scholarships many students would not be able to attend college,” stated Executive Director Stacey Kautz. Yakima Valley Community College Foundation 2013-2014 scholarship recipients gather at the annual award ceremony. YVCC Business Student Matthew Evans who received funds for both his freshman and sophomore year has found the scholarship funding especially helpful. “I am so grateful for these scholarships because they have allowed me to focus on my education and allowed me to succeed by taking some of the financial burden off of me and my family,” he concluded. Following YVCC, Evans plans to transfer to Central Washington University and pursue a master’s degree in accounting.
Vineyard and Winery Technology
This year YVCC’s Vineyard and Winery Technology program awarded scholarships from funding provided by the Yakima Enological Society and from proceeds raised during the annual Grape to Glass Gala event. In total $8,000 was awarded to YVCC students Cindy Long, Jacqueline Beard, Jensena Newhouse, Rafaeil Abundes, Braden Mortensen, Maria Rangel, Katie Catron, and Wendy Mitchell to be used this past winter and spring quarters. These scholarships are valuable for students pursuing degrees and certificates as the prepare to enter the workforce. “This funding was very beneficial to me. It allowed me to pay for a wine and spirit education trust course to enhance my career and professional development,” stated Maria Rangel. Rangel graduated this June with a certificate in winery technology. Following graduation she began working at Snoqualmie Winery as an intern.
Rotary Scholarships
This spring the Rotary Club of Yakima awarded vocational and academic scholarships, as well as scholarships from the Yakima Rotary Trust in honor of Mary Monroe Davis, to local students pursuing degrees for the 2013-2014 academic year. Vocational scholarships awarded to YVCC students included Lynndsie Green, Humberto Avilia, Matthew Bowen, Darcee Fickel, Shelby Grenz, Kaitlyn Lantz, Kylie LiaBraaten, Rodolfo Montes Rogel, Austin Peyser, Andrea Ramirez, Alma Rodriguez, Connie Roll, Daniel Shelton, Holli Jean Shields, Rachel Simmons, and Kelly White. Lynndsie Green grew up in Cosmopolis, WA before moving to Yakima to attend YVCC’s Radiological Sciences Program. “I’m so glad that I decided to attend YVCC. I truly feel that I am more than prepared to get a job in radiology because of the instruction I received,” she stated. Green graduated this June with her associate of applied science degree in radiologic technology. Academic scholarships are given to local graduating high school seniors and Running Start students. This year YVCC Running Start Students Victoria Gresham, Josh Latimer, and John Olivas were among the many students selected. Victoria Gresham began attending YVCC through the Running Start Program during her junior year. Developing a love for musical theatre at an early age, she knew that she wanted to pursue a career in performing arts. This June she graduated from high school and YVCC with her associates of arts degree. In the fall Gresham will transfer to Texas State University where she will pursue a bachelor of fine arts degree. Mary Monroe Davis scholarships are renewable and are awarded to full-time students at both community colleges and universities. This year several YVCC graduating students and alumni were awarded scholarships including Jakob Ward, Nicholas Ward, Sarah Clark-Tedder, Yuri Cortez, Erika De La Cruz, Jessica Gambito, Floricel Gonzalez, Shelby Grenz, Marthy Hernandez, Maricela Martinez, Aaron Nott, Isabel Reyes-Paz, and Selene Zapata. Twin brothers and 2013 YVCC graduates Jakob and Nicholas Ward began attending YVCC through the Running Start Program during their junior year in high school. They graduated this June earning both their high school diploma and an associates of arts degree from YVCC. Each brother received the maximum scholarship of $7,500. They will use this funding while attending the University of Washington. Jakob will pursue a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and Nicholas will pursue a bachelor’s degree in architecture.
YVCC graduates Eva Chavez Suarez Eva Chavez Suarez was born in Colima, Mexico. Growing up she did not place a lot of value on education and often did the bare minimum to get by in her classes. Following high school she began delivering newspapers and washing cars in her hometown. In 2005, Eva moved to the United States in hopes of finding better economic opportunities. She began working in the Lower Yakima Valley in agriculture. “I worked in the fields for a few years,” stated Chavez Suarez. “The work was very physically demanding and hard for me to do. During this time I asked myself if I wanted to work in the fields for the rest of my life and really started to understand the value of education,” she continued. With the hope for a better life, she began attending YVCC’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Continuing on with her studies she transitioned from ESL to Adult Basic Education (ABE). With the support and knowledge gained in YVCC’s ABE program Eva was ready to tackle college-level coursework. “Without YVCC I don’t think I would’ve been able to pursue education. There are many resources here on campus which help students succeed,” she concluded. Eva completed her associate in business degree in June and plans to transfer to a four-year university. Ultimately she would like to own her own business and give back to the community.
Ernesto Robledo Ernesto Robledo grew up in the Yakima Valley. At age 15 he began working with his father in an apple orchard in Wapato. After earning his GED and continuing to work for a few years, Robledo decided it was time for a change. With a love for outdoors, he enrolled at YVCC and began taking courses in engineering. “Attending YVCC has been a really good experience for me. The instructors are really experts in their fields,” stated Robledo. “YVCC offers everything you need succeed,” he continued. This June he graduated with an associate of applied science degree in civil engineering. Following graduation, he immediately began working for the Department of Transportation in Glendive, Montana.
Holly Marsh Holly Marsh grew up in Custer, Washington close to the Canadian border. Following high school she attended Bellingham Technical College where she trained to become a dental assistant. After completing this training she worked in Bellingham for seven years. Wanting to expand her career options she decided to pursue a degree in dental hygiene and began taking prerequisite courses at Whatcom Community College. “I went on tours of several campuses with dental hygiene programs,” stated Marsh. “When I came to YVCC I found a smaller campus with a sense of community. During my tour I met with several staff and instructors from the program and everyone seemed much more welcoming than at other schools. I left that day with the impression that the program would be challenging, and knew that I wanted to study in an environment where I felt comfortable. That place was YVCC,” concluded Marsh. In addition to the rigorous course work Holly helped coordinate a program showcase for the legislative reception in Olympia this past March. She, along with Dental Hygiene Instructor Sue Franck, provided legislators with information about dental hygiene education and the future of oral healthcare. Holly graduated with an associate of applied science degree in dental hygiene in June. Following this degree she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Ultimately she would like to work in a nontraditional community setting or work with underrepresented populations.
Brittany Towell Brittany Towell grew up in the Yakima Valley and was primarily raised in the city of Tieton. After graduating from Highland High School, Towell became a supervisor at a local retail store. Wanting to pursue new opportunities that would lead to a viable career, she decided to attend YVCC’s Veterinary Technology Program. “I’ve always loved animals. We always had a lot of animals growing up. I became inspired by our veterinarian to explore the possibility of pursuing a career in the field,” stated Towell. “I choose YVCC’s program because of the quality of the education and the convenient location. I didn’t want to move to another area of the state to attend school,” she concluded. While working on her degree she also worked part-time as a veterinary assistant. Towell graduated this June with an associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology. Following graduation she immediately began working at Summitview Cowiche Veterinary Clinic.
Lewis Valladares Lewis Valladares grew up in the Lower Yakima Valley and graduated from Wapato High School. Following high school he began working at The Hanford Site as a technician. When Hanford went through a period of layoffs, Valladares was one of many employees who lost their jobs. Deciding to return to school, he chose YVCC for its close proximity to his home. “YVCC offered a great opportunity for me to further my education at a low cost,” stated Valladares. While at YVCC he focused his studies on biology. In addition he served as the vice president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. While visiting family members who were in the hospital and having spent time in the hospital himself, Lewis decided that he wanted to pursue a career in nursing. “I decided I wanted to become a nurse because they are the ones that inspire hope in patients. The doctors will come into to visit patients, but nurses are the ones that are with them all day and night, talking with them, and caring for them. I determined that I wanted to be the one who inspires hope,” continued Valladares. This winter he graduated with an associate of arts, science option. This degree will allow him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Nohemi Romero Nohemi Romero was born in Mexico City. As an infant she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and her parents were informed that she would not live past the age of three. Her mother did not accept this diagnosis and spent several years taking Nohemi to different doctors to help work through the physical limitations of her condition. “My mom never gave up on me,” stated Romero. “When I was little I couldn’t do anything. She took me to speech and physical therapy appointments. I am the person I am today because of my mother,” she continued. As a child Romero was not accepted by her peers or allowed to attend a traditional school, instead she was required to enroll in a school for children with special needs. At the age of eight, at the recommendation of her schools administrator, she transitioned to a traditional elementary school. Then when she was 14 she moved to the Lower Yakima Valley with her family. She graduated from Sunnyside High School in 2001 and began attending Heritage University. Overcoming several barriers, she attended Heritage for six years working toward her degree. In 2010, Romero transferred to YVCC’s Grandview Campus to continue her education. Through the help of YVCC’s Disability Support Services Program and staff members, Nohemi graduated this June with an associate of arts degree. Nohemi is looking forward to her upcoming wedding next June to fiancé Brian Frisbie. Following their wedding the couple plans to settle in Bothell. Ultimately, Nohemi would like to continue her education to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of Washington.
athletics Baseball
Athlete of the Year
YVCC’s Baseball Team, under the direction of Head Coach Marcus McKimmy, finished its season with an overall record of 33-19 and a 3rd place finish at the NWAACC championships. “The evolution of our team from the beginning of September to where we were on Memorial Day was a special transformation,” stated McKimmy. “The 2013 baseball team was very young on paper but mixed with a very special group of sophomores allowed for extreme growth and maturity for our team down the stretch,” he continued. This year’s 3rd place finish was the best showing for Yaks in over 20 years. “I couldn’t be more proud of the accomplishments both on and off the field of this ball club. All eight of the team’s sophomores will be moving on to play at the 4-year level next year, and five graduated with their associates of arts degrees from YVCC in two year’s time,” he concluded. In addition, individual players earned honors this season. Kyle Garvin (pitcher) received First Team All-Eastern Region while leading the NWAACC in the number of innings (99.0) and complete games (5) pitched. Shawn Wardian (infielder) was also a First Team All-Eastern Region selection and held a .333 batting average with 42 runs scored, 47 runs batted in, 15 doubles, 1 triple, and 2 home runs. For his efforts, Shawn was the only player from Yakima to receive All-NWAACC distinction, voted by the league’s coaches. He also received the Male Athlete of the Year Award from the YVCC Athletic Department and was selected as the team’s Most Improved Player. In addition, players Drayson Ito (outfield), Reid Martinez (outfield), Bryton Redal (infield), Connor Lau (utility), and Josh Snider (designated hitter) all received Second Team All-Eastern Region recognition.
Each year coaches representing all the YVCC athletic programs vote on the athlete of the year awards. This year the Male Athlete of the Year Award, named after Larry Densley, was awarded to baseball player Shawn Wardian. Given in honor of Mary Sherar, the Female Athlete of the Year Award was presented to volleyball player Katina Ferguson.
Shawn Wardian
Katina Ferguson
Sophomore Shawn Wardian just completed a highly successful two-year baseball career at YVCC. During the 2012-13 season he helped lead the Yaks to a 3rd place finish at the NWAACC baseball championship, the program’s highest finish since 1993. In addition, he was unanimously named to the First Team All-NWAACC and All-Eastern Region teams as an infielder while placing in the NWAACC’s top 10 in several offensive categories including doubles, runs batted in, and runs scored. Arriving at YVCC from Rocky Mountain High School in Meridian, Idaho, Shawn has been a solid student-athlete away from the diamond as well, being named to the Dean’s List and carrying a cumulative 3.1 GPA. Sophomore Katina Ferguson has been a standout multiple sport athlete during her time at YVCC. Originally from Enumclaw High School, she focused solely on volleyball during the 2012-13 academic year, and was selected to the First Team All-Eastern Region for her efforts as a middle blocker. This season she helped lead the Yaks to within a game of qualifying for the NWAACC championship tournament. In addition, during the 2011-12 academic year, she was a member of the women’s basketball program and helped the Yaks finish as runner-up at the NWAACC championship basketball tournament.
Softball YVCC’s Softball Team, under the direction of Head Coach Chuck Bodeen, finished its season with the best performance in recent YVCC history. The Yaks finished with a 25-20 record and were 14-14 in league play. “We beat Wenatchee, the team that won the NWAACC Championship a week later, in our last game of the season, ending their 20 game winning streak. We finished one game short of qualifying for the NWAACC Tournament,” stated Bodeen. “Overall we had a very successful season, and we have a good group of players who will return as sophomores, so we hope to be even better next season,” he continued. Freshman Kayla Reynolds (pitcher), earned First Team All-Eastern Region, Sophomore Samantha Boelter (3rd base) earned First Team All-Eastern Region, and Freshman Kylie Harper (outfield) earned Second Team All-Eastern Region. In addition, players Whitney Biehl, Courtney Cable and Ariel McKinley, were all named to the NWAACC Academic Team. “I am looking forward to next year. The sophomores who return are excited, and the new freshman should fit in well to make us a competitive team in the Eastern Region,” concluded Bodeen. In addition to regular season play, the team also hosted the 6th Annual Crossover Tournament. Twenty-five teams participated in the Swinging for a Cure: Breast Cancer Awareness event which raised $1,000 for Wellness House of Yakima. “This funding will be so helpful in continuing to provide free services, programs, and resources to this community,” stated Margaret Filkins, executive director of Wellness House.
people Congratulations to Instructional & Classroom Support Technician 1 Denise Moore on her award as the 2013 Spring Classified Employee of the Quarter. Moore works in the Workforce Education Division with the Veterinary Technology Program. ASYVCC recognized several individuals at the spring recognition event. Awards include: Gordon Koestler, Teacher of the Year; Bob Chavez, Advisor of the Year; Jennifer Townsend, Classified Staff of the Year; Marc Coomer, Exempt Staff of the Year; Brendon Adams, Student of the Year; Phi Theta Kappa, Club of the Year; and Instrumental Music, Program of the Year. In addition the Grandview Student Council presented awards including: Francisco Rivera, Staff of the Year; Mark Quinn; Faculty of the Year; and Israel Hernandez III, Student of the Year. Congratulations to YVCC’s winter 2013 Nursing Assistant Certificate (NAC) class who received a 100% pass rate on their certification exams. In total 19 students completed the program this year. They were the first group of YVCC NAC students to pass the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) exam and the WA State Department of Health Exam with a 100% pass rate. YVCC’s Nursing Program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. The program recently received continuing accreditation through March 2021. This year YVCC said goodbye to several valued employees. Retirees included: Custodian Charles Barrett, Automotive Technology Instructor Ben Christie, Human Resource Assistant Wanda Collins, Maintenance Mechanic Bob Gravelle, Cashier Agnes McPherson, and Custodian Othella Heilman. Students from YVCC’s Engineering Program participated in the 17th Annual Intercollegiate Human Powered Paper Vehicle Engineering Competition hosted by Eastern Washington University. YVCC’s MESA team comprised of students Abdon Godines, Victor Numez, Raul Rodriguez, Christopher Sutphen, and Christian Carlos took second place in the vehicle performance portion of the competition. Congratulations to YVCC Board Member Lisa Parker who has been selected to serve on the Board for the Trustees Association for Community and Technical Colleges. Congratulations to YVCC’s teaching winery, Yakima Valley Vintners, whose 2010 Primitivo recently won a Gold medal at the Seattle Wine Awards. In addition, the Roussanne received a Bronze.
Pacific Northwest History Project by Dr. Ken Zontek
Community serves as a core theme for Yakima Valley Community College (YVCC). The Pacific Northwest History project consists of YVCC student-created regional history primers about communities written from the perspective of the landscape. The project consists of more than seventy books, akin to illustrated children’s volumes, that inform and entertain the readers. I designed the project to enhance the learning of my students and to establish a link between the college and local schools where teachers can utilize the books. After two years at St. Joseph/Marquette Catholic School where the books supplemented a unit on “Land & Water,” the books recently became part of the ninth grade Washington State History course at LaSalle High School. Mr. Cody Lamb offered to participate in a pilot project to try the books. He chose to use the books late in the quarter to reinforce the sequence of Washington history and as an aid for students developing their own research projects on communities. At LaSalle, after I introduced the origins of the project, the students engaged the books. They worked in pairs, then singly with worksheets designed to move students through the books. The worksheets concluded with writing prompts on the given area’s attraction and an evaluation of the book. The bright LaSalle students collectively plowed through nearly fifty books. Students also orally presented noteworthy books. We concluded the event with a feedback session. Overall, Mr. Lamb and the students offered very favorable impressions and foresaw incorporation into their curriculum. The students particularly liked the reader-friendly organization of the books along with the information relevance. One student remarked: “I liked how it [the book] showed a progression through the 1900s. I liked everything about the book.” Another stated, “It gave me more information for my future project.” The students also carefully analyzed to find some errors and graphic support issues, which indicated to them the varying levels of college students. The Pacific Northwest History project will help build a bridge in our community. YVCC students will find their class work a bit more meaningful knowing of their audience. LaSalle students will benefit from a unique resource significant to their own studies. Meanwhile, students representing two different Yakima institutions, LaSalle and YVCC, will draw a bit closer as part of the larger academic community. Dr. Ken Zontek teaches history at Yakima Valley Community College.
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Breihton Stuart wanted to make sure that she got her college perquisites out of the way while in high school. With this goal, she enrolled at YVCC through the Running Start Program. The senior from Eisenhower High School enjoyed the experience, especially participating in YVCC’s drama productions. Stuart graduated this June from high school and YVCC with an associate in arts degree. She plans to transfer to Central Washington University. Passionate about the Japanese culture she would like to live and work in Japan.
This spring YVCC Department of Drama presented Moliére’s comedy Tartuffe. The cast featured YVCC students as well as community members. The lead role was played by David Morris. Other cast members included Jon Hardy, Daisy Metcalf, Sean McCracken, Emily Goodell, Stevie Macias, Donelle Pitzer, Brandy Fisher, Austin Norman, Ryan Rogers, Joseph Gray, and Gabriel Borrello. The performance was co-directed by Michael Kemper and YVCC Drama Instructor Alicia Bickley. In addition to hosting Tartuffe, the drama department also recently sent six students to the 45th Annual Kennedy Center American Theatre Festival held in Sacramento, California. The festival covers all areas of theatre including acting, directing, playwriting, design, dramaturgy, and stage management. Students Mason Clark, Brandy Fisher, Luke Johnston, Michael Kemper, Natalie Hudspeth, and Briehton Stuart attended the festival where they auditioned for the ten-minute play festival, attended daily workshops led by faculty and industry professionals, saw performances of nominated productions, and interviewed with representatives from four-year universities. Of the six students, three were cast in a John Cauble one-act play, Middle Names, which was written by Lewis and Clark College student Corey O’Hara and directed by YVCC’s Alicia Bickley. In addition Fisher and Johnston were two of over 240 students nominated for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. The purpose of the festival is to provide feedback to students involved in all types of theatre work and help bridge the gap between the academic and professional world of theatre.