Calendar www.yvcc.edu/calendar
March 10-April 16: Functional Art The Larson Gallery presents Functional Art. The national juried exhibition showcases clothing, textiles, jewelry, tableware, tools, fixtures, and furniture. For more information: 509.574.4875 or www.larsongallery.org
April 1: Evening Curator’s Tour The Larson Gallery presents an Evening Curator’s Tour for the Functional Art exhibit. Join Gallery Director David Lynx as he explores the works on display and shares behind-the-exhibit details. Yakima Valley Vintners, YVCC’s Teaching Winery, will provide tastings and sales. The event will be held from 5:00-7:00pm. For more information: 509.574.4875 or www.larsongallery.org
April 22-24: Spring Barrel Tasting YVCC’s Yakima Valley Vintners will open its tasting room during the valley’s Spring Barrel event. Visitors will have a chance to taste our student-produced, award-winning wines. For more information: www.yakimavalleyvintners.com
April 24: Fabric! Fashion! Fun! Join the Larson Gallery for lunch and a fashion show. See the latest creations by Ann Bowker, Sally Fitch, Linda Iasella, Sandy Carter, Carol Fletcher, Christy Baisinger, Karen Scott, and Jeanne Strater. The event will be held from 12:00-2:00pm. For more information: 509.574.4875 or www.larsongallery.org
May 3-28: DoVA Student & Faculty Exhibition YVCC students and faculty from the Department of Visual Arts (DoVA) present their work in the Larson Gallery. Courses include photography, painting, drawing, printmaking, and ceramics. An opening reception will be held May 3 from 5:00-7:00pm. For more information: 509.574.4875 or www.larsongallery.org
May 21: Grape to Glass Gala YVCC’s Vineyard and Winery Technology program will host the annual Grape to Glass Gala – A Winemakers Dinner and Silent Auction. Join us for an evening of fun, food, and wine. All proceeds benefit student scholarships. For more information: 509.882.7007 or www.yakimavalleyvintners.com
May 21: Tour of Artists’ Homes & Studios The Larson Gallery presents the annual Tour of Artists’ Homes and Studios from 10:00-4:00pm. This annual event raises funds for the Larson Gallery Guild and is an opportunity to see how artists live and create. Tickets cost $20 for general admission and $5 for students. For more information: 509.574.4875 or www.larsongallery.org
June 2-5: Chicago YVCC playmasters presents the musical, Chicago, June 2-4 at 8:00pm, with matinees on June 4 and 5 at 2:00pm in Kendall Hall Auditorium. Tickets cost $20 for general admission and $15 for students, staff, and seniors. For more information: 509.574.4837 or abickley@yvcc.edu
June 9: YVCC’s 87th Commencement YVCC celebrates our 87th Commencement Ceremony at 7:00pm on Parker Faller Field. Join us to honor the class of 2016. Reception to follow. For more information: www.yvcc.edu/commencement
June 11-July 1: Members’ Exhibit The Larson Gallery presents the annual Guild Members’ Exhibit. This non-juried show highlights the creativity of Larson Gallery Guild members. An opening reception will be held June 11 from 5:00-7:00pm. For more information: 509.574.4875 or www.larsongallery.org
Contents 3 4 5 6
Welcome Campus News Student Honors Student Activities
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Larson Gallery Athletics Vineyard & Winery Technology YVCC’s People
Produced: Niki Hopkins and Stefanie Menard Photographs: Niki Hopkins, Stefanie Menard, and Jordan Vidmore Published: March 2016 If you would like to be added or removed from our mailing list, please contact us: Yakima Valley Community College Community Relations PO Box 22520 • Yakima, WA 98907-2520 communityrelations@yvcc.edu / 509.574.4646 www.facebook.com/YakimaValleyCC
Cover Photo:
Palmer Martin Hall, Yakima Campus
Yakima Valley Community College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, genetic information, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. All inquiries regarding compliance should be directed to the Director of Human Resource Services, YVCC, South 16th Ave. & Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima, WA 98902; or call 509.574.4670.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT This issue of the Campus Update includes information about the many activities and accomplishments of our staff and students. I have highlighted a few of the extraordinary activities that occurred during the winter quarter. We are very fortunate to have the Larson Gallery as an educational and cultural resource for our students and the community. Faculty have often incorporated the art exhibits into their classes. This winter, we had the rare opportunity for such a collaboration with the most unlikely department – mathematics. The Larson Gallery hosted an exhibit based on the rule-of-thirds and the golden spiral. It featured nine artists from our local region, including several from Colorado, Connecticut, and North Carolina, as well as ten of our digital photography students. Mathematics Instructor, Michal Ramos, incorporated the exhibit into a class project in which students identified objects in nature which demonstrated the mathematical concepts and created 3-dimentional models and PowerPoint presentations to present to the class. You can see photos of the amazing results in the Fibonacci article. In November, the Tiin-Ma Club hosted the very first Pow Wow at YVCC in honor of Native American Heritage Month. The event was a huge success. It greatly expanded our understanding of the Native American culture. Finally, through a collaborative grant with Heritage University, YVCC will host the National Poet Laureate, Juan Felipe Herrera, on May 16. Herrera is the first Latino to hold this very prestigious position. We hope you will take advantage of this unprecedented event to hear this world famous scholar and author. You can read more about these and many other activities and events in this issue of the Campus Update. We hope you are informed and inspired by what our staff and students have accomplished. Thank you for your interest in and support of Yakima Valley Community College. Sincerely,
Linda Kaminski, Ed.D. President
Board of Trustees Dr. Sara Cate • Rosalinda Mendoza • Robert Ozuna • Lisa Parker • Patricia Whitefoot
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CAMPUS NEWS
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YVCC Welcomes National Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera In May, YVCC will welcome Juan Felipe Herrera to Yakima. Herrera is the 21st Poet Laureate of the United States (2015-2016) and is the first Mexican American to hold the position. Herrera grew up in California, the son of migrant farmers. His personal background has strongly shaped his work. He is passionate about social issues and is a performer and activist on behalf of migrant and indigenous communities and at-risk youth. Herrera has authored thirty books including collections of poetry, prose, short stories, adult novels, and picture books for children. He has been honored with many awards in his career including the National Book Critic Circle Award. On Monday, May 16, 2016, YVCC’s Diversity Series will host a reception to welcome Herrera. The evening will begin at the 4th Street Theatre at 5:00pm. Tickets will go on sale in April. The main event, his poetry performance, will be held at the Capitol Theatre at 7:00pm. Admission to the performance is free. Tickets are required and are available in the YVCC Bookstore. Herrera’s visit is made possible by a US Department of Education Title V Grant. For additional details on these upcoming events and ticket information visit www.yvcc.edu/Herrera Biography and photo courtesy of Blue Flower Arts www.blueflowerarts.com
Juan Felipe Herrera
Poetry Out Loud In February YVCC hosted a regional poetry competition for local area high school students. Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry through memorization and performance. The competition is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, The Poetry Foundation, and the Washington State Arts Commission. Poetry Out Loud allows students to master public speaking skills and build self-confidence while also learning how to connect with and analyze literature in new ways. Participating schools included, Westside High School, Ephrata High School, Ellensburg High School, Bickleton High School, East Valley High School, Naches Valley High School, Eisenhower High School, Selah High School, and A.C. Davis High School. The winners were Ellensburg High School students Thomas Snedeker and Jake Andrews. In a competitive field of more than 20,000 students across Washington State, 13 regional champions, including Snedeker and Andrews, then had the opportunity to compete in the Washington State Finals Competition. Andrews went on to win the title of the 2016 Washington State Poetry Out Loud Champion. He will travel to Washington, DC in May to compete at the national level.
100th Anniversary History Project We need your help! YVCC, with the help of friend and local historian Jerry Ward, has begun gathering historical information in preparation of our 100th Anniversary (1928-2028). Please send us photographs, ‘old’ college publications, or your personal memories. Send information to the Community Relations Office at YVCC, PO Box 22520, Yakima, WA 98907 or email communityrelations@yvcc.edu If you wish to reach Jerry directly, call 509.452.5190 or email kywywash@aol.com We look forward to hearing from you!
STUDENT HONORS
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Transforming Lives Award
Congratulations to Sarah Fielding
Each year the Washington State Association of College Trustees requests one nominee from each of the 34 community and technical colleges in Washington State for the Transforming Lives Award. YVCC’s nominee is Sarah Fielding. Her unique story represents how community college, specifically the opportunities at YVCC, impacted her life and her education. Sarah was born in Sunnyside, Washington, and was home-schooled beginning in third grade. By 17, she had a full-time job. The following year she married and moved to Yakima with her husband. “I worked 12 hour days of grueling labor with limited options or opportunities for growth. When we decided to start a family, I realized I wanted something more for all of us,” stated Fielding. At 22, Fielding enrolled at YVCC. “I walked onto campus that winter without knowing a soul, without knowing what the word “syllabus” meant, no GED or high-school diploma, and pregnant Sarah Fielding with my first child,” she continued. She quickly learned how to navigate campus and was successful in her coursework. She was invited to join YVCC’s Phi Theta Kappa and graduated with an associate in science degree. She then transferred to Washington State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing. “I now work full-time as a registered nurse at a local hospital in the emergency room,” she continued. “Overcoming all those barriers allowed me to join the workforce as a well-educated professional with the preparation and ability to change the world around me in a positive and meaningful way,” she concluded. Interested in continuing her education, Fielding has re-enrolled at YVCC and is taking the prerequisite courses she needs to apply to medical school.
All-Washington Academic Team
Congratulations to Miranda Challey and Sabrina Ovesen
YVCC is proud to announce the selection of Miranda Challey and Sabrina Ovesen to the 2016 All-Washington Academic Team. The scholarship program recognizes students from all 34 community and technical colleges in Washington State for outstanding accomplishments. Miranda “Randi” Challey is passionate about helping others. She has been working for the past ten years to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Through hard work and perseverance, Challey has taken classes at YVCC, on-and-off, while working multiple jobs. “Knowing that I could make a difference in someone’s life is what motivates me to continue working two jobs to pay for tuition and complete my education in order to do my job even better. It allows me to better serve my clients,” stated Challey. She works as a placement specialist assisting with job search and development of skills. In addition, she works at a local treatment center for women with children and assists them during their recovery. As a part-time student, Challey has maintained her GPA and earned a place on the President’s List. She is also a member of YVCC’s Phi Theta Kappa. This summer she will graduate with an associate in arts degree and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Sabrina Ovesen will graduate in June with a high school diploma and an associate in arts degree. YVCC’s Running Start Program provides students, like Sabrina, the opportunity to complete tuition-free, college-level credits while still in high school. At an early age, Sabrina excelled in her schoolwork and has been dedicated to her studies. At YVCC Ovesen has continued her academic success and also become active in campus life. She is a member of YVCC’s Business Club and had a chance to compete with a team of students at the University of Washington’s Global Business Case Competition. Experiences like this have allowed Ovesen to learn more about her career interests. “Running Start has been a very rewarding experience,” stated Ovesen. “A community college offers a diverse atmosphere and overall enriching experience. I am very happy with the decision I made to attend YVCC,” she concluded. She plans to transfer to the University of Washington to obtain a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in marketing.
Miranda Challey
Sabrina Ovesen
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Tiin-Ma Club Pow Wow
Science Olympiad
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Business Club
Tiin-Ma Club Pow Wow: The Tiin-Ma Club hosted the first YVCC Pow Wow in honor of Native American Heritage Month this past November. The planning committee, led by Club President Ida Moses-Hyipeer, wanted to provide the campus and the community with an opportunity to participate in a traditional Native American social gathering. “I started attending pow wows when I was five years old. My parents really stressed the importance of community service and of honoring both sides of my heritage,” stated Moses-Hyipeer. She is a descendant of the Yakama, Nez Perce, and Warm Springs tribes. “I knew there were a lot of Native students at YVCC. I wanted to bring our culture and traditions to campus, to bring closeness, and provide a community gathering,” she continued. Tiin-Ma sponsored the night’s special dance, the Potato Dance. Partners are selected by the girls asking the boys to dance. They then place a potato between their foreheads and must keep it balanced as they keep the beat of the drum and follow the instructions of the MC. It is a social dance that is often used as a way to meet new people. The Pow Wow was a tremendous success with attendance exceeding 400 people. The event included dinner, a grand entrance facilitated by the Yakama Warriors Association, along with five drum circles, singing and dancing. Dinner was made possible by donations from Legends Casino, Coke-a-Cola, and Fiesta Foods. “People were happy to come to a Pow Wow at the college. There were lots of YVCC alumni and former Tiin-Ma club members,” she concluded. Science Olympiad: This winter YVCC hosted the 4th annual South Central Washington Science Olympiad. Participants included middle school and junior high school students, teachers and parents, as well as college and university faculty, and community members. The day-long event provided an opportunity for students to compete in science and math based projects. Each year the event has grown to include more schools, this time hosting eight schools from around the region including Walla Walla and Soap Lake. The event is co-sponsored by Heritage University and the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences. Business Club: The Business Club sent four students and two alternates to compete at the University of Washington’s (UW) Global Business Case Competition (GBCC). GBCC brings together undergraduate students from the United States and 11 other countries to compete in a fast-paced and challenging business case study. The team had 48 hours upon receiving the details of the case to review it and prepare a presentation. This presentation provided business planning information and attempted to answer questions raised by potential business investors. The presentation was a success and the business club members valued the opportunity to participate. Teach, Tour & Taste: Students in YVCC’s Wine Marketing course in collaboration with Yakima Valley Vintners, hosted their annual open house this March. Teach, Tour & Taste allows participants to learn about wines produced in the Yakima Valley, tour the teaching winery, and enjoy wine tasting. “The course is designed to provide students with several experiential-learning opportunities, in addition to the theoretical study of wine marketing,” stated Business Administration Instructor Carol Schneider. “Students visit retail wine shops to learn about the merchandising of wine, compare and contrast winery tasting rooms, attend the annual statewide convention of the Washington Association of Wine and Grape Growers, and volunteer at the Red Wine & Chocolate event. The Teach, Tour & Taste event is the quarter-long focus of their learning. The students apply the knowledge they’ve gained through the course and apply it to a real-world marketing event that they organize, plan, promote, present, and host. It’s an experience that opens doors, builds their confidence, and their resumes,” she concluded. Dental Hygiene Sealant Day: This February YVCC’s Dental Hygiene Program hosted the 23rd annual Free Dental Sealant Day. At the event patients, between the ages of 4-21, received free visual dental exam, fluoride varnish, and sealants when needed. In total, 30 people attended and 128 sealants were placed.
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LARSON GALLERY
“The Colors of the Cosmos” by Sue Simon
The Golden Spiral This winter the Larson Gallery hosted The Golden Spiral: Fibonacci, Sacred Geometry and Divine Proportion exhibit featuring the work of artists Jason Clifton, Bernadette Trabue Crider, Sandra M. Dean, Robert Fusfield, Cheryl H. Hahn, Vandorn Hinnant, Richard Kallweit, Jennifer Saracino, and Sue Simon along with work from ten YVCC photography students. The concept behind this exhibition stemmed from a class assignment Larson Gallery Director and YVCC Instructor David Lynx assigned to students in his digital photography course. The focus of the exercise was to introduce the rule-of-thirds and expand the concept of composition into an understanding of the golden spiral and how it creates an image that is aesthetically pleasing. Students learned that this underlying mathematical harmony is often found in nature. “Students are often surprised by how much mathematics is involved in photography,” stated Photography Instructor Jennifer Saracino. “From the shutter speed to the composition of the photograph, most elements of photography require some form of math. In digital photography we have several assignments that focus on composition. The Fibonacci sequence, Golden Ratio, and PHI Grid all factor heavily into the course’s standard curriculum,” she continued. To compliment the exhibit, a catalog featuring the artists and their work was written by Lynx and instructors from YVCC’s mathematics department Michal Ramos and Matt Lewis. “My responsibility for the catalog was to write about who Fibonacci was, what the Fibonacci sequence is, its history, and where it appears in nature and why,” stated Ramos. “I researched several examples, and also included a write up on the idea behind “Sacred Geometry” as it applied to ancient civilizations,” she continued. “Math is probably the most unlikely subject to have anything to do with art, but this exhibit proved that math is an integral part of numerous pieces of art,” she continued. The catalog was provided free of charge to students enrolled in designated math, science, physics, art, photography, and writing classes during winter quarter. This exhibit showcases the partnership between YVCC and the Larson Gallery. “The relationship between the Department of Visual Arts and the Larson Gallery is vital to the students in our programs,” continued Saracino. “Every art and photo class utilizes the gallery in some way. The inclusion of student work in the current exhibit is an amazing opportunity for my students. To have their photography exhibited with regional and national artists is an honor most aspiring artists only hope to receive. This opportunity has encouraged several of them to search out more exhibition opportunities and realize their work not only can, but also should be exhibited in the future,” concluded Saracino.
Functional Art This spring the Larson Gallery is hosting a national exhibition titled Functional Art showcasing aesthetic objects that serve a utilitarian purpose. The exhibit explores how artists express themselves in items such as clothing, textiles, jewelry, tableware, tools, fixtures, and furniture. Functional Art was juried by Director of Art, Craft and Design, Stefano Catalani, from the Bellevue Arts Museum. He selected pieces from 118 entries submitted across the United States. The history of this exhibit dates back to the 1990’s when it was called Art to Wear. Over the years this show has expanded its focus to illustrate how art is found in everyday things we use from what we wear to household items. This year, the 13th time this exhibit has been on display, continues with this theme of showcasing diverse objects such as bowls, scarves, vases, rugs, jewelry, jackets, glass bowls, and wooden benches. It features artists from Alabama, California, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.
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ATHLETICS
Men’s Basketball The YVCC Men’s Basketball Team qualified for the 2016 NWAC Championship Tournament after a two-year hiatus. The Yaks steadily improved throughout the season and played their best ball in East Region play, going 9-5 to qualify for the tournament as the East Region #3 seed. “This team really improved and grew as the season went on,” stated Head Coach Ray Funk. “They identified their collective strengths and weaknesses and learned to play to their strengths often,” he continued. Season highlights included upsetting Edmonds 94-89 in the first-round of the tournament on the Tritons’ home floor. In addition, there were numerous standout individual performances by many players throughout the year. Sophomore guard Demetrius Trammell scored a season-high 36 points in the regular season finale at Wenatchee and went 10-12 from the three-point line in the process. “DT is one of the best perimeter shooters we’ve ever had in the program. He shot an NWAC-best 51% from the three-point line, which is unheard of at this level. He worked really hard to develop his shot this past off-season, and his quick-release is uncanny,” he continued. Freshman Max Jones had two key “all-around” performances helping lead the Yaks to a 102-92 victory over the Spokane Sasquatch, the eventual NWAC Champs, in the Yaks’ home finale with an 18 point, 10 rebound, and 6 assist game. He followed that up with a 23 point, 8 rebound, 5 assist effort during the first-round game at Edmonds. “It was really gratifying to see Max’s development. He is a real talent who understands the overall game, and if he continues to work at it, the sky is the limit for him,” concluded Funk. Fellow Freshman Tyler Cluff was named Men’s Basketball NWAC Player of the Week in February after averaging a league-high 8.5 assists to go along with 16.5 points and 6 rebounds per game that week. For their efforts this year, Trammell and Jones were named to the All-NWAC Eastern Region Second Team. In addition, sophomores Jeremy Gaudette and Marquice Clark were also honored, being named to the NWAC All-Academic Team.
Women’s Basketball
High hopes for the YVCC Women’s Basketball Team’s 2015-2016 season were quickly dashed due to injury, academic ineligibility, and other life situations. “We lost six of our top ten players in a perfect storm of unlucky events,” stated Head Coach Greg Oldham. One bright spot for the Yaks was the offensive play of Yakima native Alexis Gratton, who led the team with a 15.5 point per game scoring average which placed her 3rd in the East Region and 16th in the entire NWAC.
New Soccer Coach
YVCC Athletics recently selected Abigail Drollinger as the new head women’s soccer coach. A Yakima-area native, Drollinger most recently served as the Yaks interim assistant coach. Before that she spent two years coaching internationally at the Sports and Leadership Training Academy in Cambodia. She has also coached at Naches Valley High School and been involved with the Sun City Strikers. Drollinger holds both AFC International “C” and USSF National “D” coaching licenses. Prior to coaching, she was a standout student-athlete at YVCC. “I’m looking forward to this upcoming season and plan to build upon the returnees from last season,” stated Drollinger. “I’m excited to join the athletic staff at YVCC and look forward to getting involved in the soccer community again after living abroad the past several years,” she concluded. Drollinger replaces Peter Monahan who served as the head coach for four seasons (2012-15). Information provided by YVCC Athletics
Abigail Drollinger
VINEYARD & WINERY TECHNOLOGY
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Student Emilse Osorio with Instructor Trent Ball and classmate Frankie Guzman in the Teaching Winery.
Student Highlight: Emilse Osorio
Emilse Osorio was born in Toppenish, Washington, and moved with her family to Michoacán, Mexico, when she was seven years old. The family later returned to the Yakima Valley, and she began attending Wapato High School for her sophomore year. Behind on the credits needed to graduate and knowing little English, Osorio struggled to find success in her new home. She became even more discouraged when she failed the Washington Assessment of Student of Learning (WASL) by one point. Her mother, with help from her teachers and the district superintendent, convinced her to give it another try. “They convinced me to return to high school for another year,” stated Osorio. Finding success, she gained the credits she needed and passed the WASL. In recognition of her story she was chosen as the 2011 Student of the Year and was featured in the local newspaper. Following graduation she spent time working in the fields but realized that she wanted more. She considered returning to Mexico to study the process of making tequila, but when a teacher told her about wine and YVCC’s Vineyard and Winery Technology program she decided to research the opportunity further. She enrolled at YVCC in the winter of 2014 and took the Essentials of Winemaking course. She was hooked. “This class had everything. I learned that winemaking was like a ritual. I used to think that they added flavoring to make the different types of wines, but I learned that all of the flavor comes from the grapes and the barrels. I don’t know how to describe it, other than to say, I love the entire process,” she continued. With her love for the outdoors and experience working in the fields, Osorio decided to pursue two degrees one in winery technology and one in vineyard technology. Vineyard and Winery Technology Instructor Trent Ball and staff like Counselor Elizabeth DeVillenue and Admission Outreach Coordinator Marivy Vasquez have been influential and encouraged her to succeed. “Trent has been there since day one. He’s been there to help me with everything, every little question I have, he is always willing to help,” she concluded. She has also been involved on campus serving as the vice-president and later president of the Agribusiness & Wine Club. The club has allowed her to develop leadership experience and provided opportunities to improve her public speaking skills. This December she will graduate with her associate of applied science degree in winery technology. She is on track to complete her second associate of applied science degree in vineyard technology in August 2017.
Yakima Valley Vintners Bring Home Awards
Yakima Valley Vintners, YVCC’s Teaching Winery, recently received six awards for their student crafted wines at the 2015 Tri-Cities Wine Festival. Their 2013 Primitivo received a Double Gold medal. Their 2012 Campus Blend Red, 2013 Dean’s List Tempranillo, 2013 Red Backpack Red Wine, 2013 Science Fair Carménére, and 2014 Easy A Chardonnay all received Gold medals. In addition, their 2012 Primitivo received a Platinum award from Wine Press Northwest. “The students work diligently together as a team to form the final blends, and it is great to see how their career passion translates into the finished products,” stated Vineyard and Winery Technology Instructor Trent Ball. Students manage all aspects of producing these wines from grape to glass on YVCC’s Grandview Campus which houses a teaching winery and tasting room. There were 84 wineries that competed this year and over 428 wines were judged. All wines submitted were judged blindly by a panel of prominent, international wine professionals. YVCC student wines are included with all of the other commercial wineries during the competition. To learn more about Yakima Valley Vintners or to purchase wine visit www.yakimavalleyvintners.com
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PEOPLE Congratulations to Biology Instructor Dr. Meghan Fitzgerald who recently completed her doctor of zoology degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison. Her dissertation is titled, Love Them, Leave Them, or Eat Them: Intraspecific Relationships in the Golden Orb Weaver, Nephila Clavipes.
Sarah Frazier
Janet Foster Goodwill and Teana Robbins, criminal justice instructors, received an Exceptional Faculty Award to attend the American Correctional Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in January.
Congratulations to Sarah Frazier. She is the award recipient of the Fall 2015 Classified Employee of the Quarter. Frazier is a Program Assistant who works in Registration and Records. She began working for the college in 2012. Congratulations to Vice President of Administrative Services Dr. Teresa Holland Rich who recently completed her doctor of philosophy degree in education with an emphasis in community college leadership from Oregon State University. Her dissertation is titled, Perceptions of Washington State Community College Administrators about the Northwest Commission for Colleges and Universities’ New Regional Accreditation Standards. The Latin Jazz Band was recently selected to play at the opening banquet of the Washington Music Educators Association’s conference held at the Yakima Convention Center. “It’s an honor to be invited and it will be a great opportunity to represent the college and YVCC’s music program to K-12 and college music educators from around the state,” stated Music Instructor Jeff Norwood. Students from the Automotive Service Technology Program recently received honors at the SkillsUSA Washington Winter Competition held at Columbia Basin College. In total YVCC brought home six medals. Individual honors include Rory Jensen (Gold Medal; Category: Job Interview), Dustin Hessdorfer (Silver Medal; Category: Job Demonstration), Micheal St. Hilaire (Gold Medal; Category: Job Demonstration and Bronze Medal; Category: Prepared Speech), and Terry Schlosser (Bronze Medal; Category: Job Interview and Bronze Medal; Category: Extemporaneous Speech.) In addition, students Jessie Burow, Jacob Ruland, and Raeyln Maier participated.
Alumni Highlight: Damone Harris
Damone Harris was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and moved around a lot during his childhood to support his father’s naval career. His family returned to the Chicago area and he graduated from high school there. Harris then attended Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis where he earned a bachelor of applied science degree in business administration and management. He was recruited to work at Motorola and later Electrolux. He worked for a number of years in these positions before transitioning to management in the fast food industry. In 2008, he was laid off due to conditions of the economic downturn. After trying to find work in his hometown for more than a year, Harris decided it was time for a change. He moved to the Yakima Valley in 2010, and with the support from YVCC’s Dislocated Worker Program, he enrolled with plans to pursue a new degree in information technology. He quickly found success in YVCC’s program and credits instructors like Mike Batali, Stefan Apperson, David Dalton, and Audrey Wedin. “The way the instructors structured the program at YVCC was excellent. The classes are really good and there are several tools to help students succeed,” stated Harris. He also found additional support by participating in two student clubs, Information Technology and Business. In 2012, he graduated with an associate of applied science degree in information technologysupport specialist. Harris accepted a position with McDonalds and oversees all programing and technical training at 13 restaurants within Yakima and Kittitas counties. He is also pursuing a master’s degree in information technology computer applications and administrative management at Central Washington University. He will graduate in June 2016.
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