West Seattle, Washington
08 Tuesday
(Photo courtesy Sisters of Providence: Sister Charlotte VanDyke, also a West Seattleite, congratulates Jake Saldaña)
The announcement and photo are from the Sisters of Providence:
Jacobo “Jake” Saldaña, a long-time volunteer and resident of West Seattle, was awarded the 2019 Mother Joseph Award by the Sisters of Providence in a ceremony at Our Lady of Guadalupe parish earlier today, June 6.
The Mother Joseph Award is given annually to a person who exemplifies the values and courage of Mother Joseph, the first provincial leader of the Sisters of Providence in the western U.S. More than 100 nominations were submitted for this year’s award.
It is easy to recognize the spirit of Mother Joseph in Jake. With tenacity and grit he overcame extraordinary odds as a young immigrant, worked tirelessly to build a career and provide for his family, then retired and began working in service to the poor, vulnerable and underserved members of his community.
For more than 15 years, Jake has been going above and beyond as a volunteer in West Seattle at Our Lady of Guadalupe parish, the Guadalupe Conference of St. Vincent de Paul Society, Providence Mount St. Vincent, and prior to that, Catholic Community Services. (He was even a West Seattle Pee Wee Baseball volunteer coach for 15 years when his children were younger.)
Jake said he is driven to give as much as he can to people in need. He understands what it is like to live in poverty and on the margins of society because he has experienced this first-hand. He was born in Mexico; his father died shortly after Jake was born. Following this tragedy, his pregnant 19-year-old mother took her four young children 300 miles from Linares, Mexico, to Texas in hopes of giving her a chance for a better job and her children a chance for a better future.
Jake’s mother and the older children worked for ranchers picking cotton, lettuce, tomatoes and carrots. Jake grew up working in the fields and attending school, but food was scarce and life was rough. He didn’t even have a pair of shoes until he was a teen.
Jake’s family had their first deportation experience when he was about 7. He remembers clearly the big Greyhound bus that came for them and transported them back to Mexico with only what they were able to grab quickly before they left. But Jake’s mother was determined to give her children a better life and put their paperwork in order to become legalized.
In 1955 a rancher they had worked for became their sponsor and Jake’s family members became U.S. citizens, making their home in Texas.
In 1957 at age 14, Jake had become a self-described rebel and daredevil, and had been kicked out of school. Amidst this, Jake felt called to change. He recognized the need to find a better path so he set out to “follow the crops” to earn a living, moving from the South, to the Midwest, to the West learning tough life lessons along the way.
Jake settled in Seattle in 1964 and spent 35 years at a glass factory where he worked his way up from janitor to mechanic to machinist, including a stint as vice president of the union. He broke down barriers as the only Mexican-American in the plant at that time and advocated for fair treatment for all.
At the same time, Jake and his wife were raising six children and were known to open their home to nieces and nephews, international visitors and others in need of housing, as well.
Jake didn’t plan to retired in 2003 at age 59, but he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and urged by his doctor to reduce the stress in his life. He made a full recovery and decided it was time to focus on helping others.
Jake was already an active volunteer at Our Lady of Guadalupe parish and the Guadalupe Conference of St. Vincent de Paul Society in West Seattle. So, it wasn’t a surprise that Jake responded to the church bulletin’s call for volunteers to help with the Catholic Community Services (CCS) Chore Ministry, driving people for errands and appointments. After several years with CCS, Jake began to volunteer at Providence Mount St. Vincent, a senior living community in the West Seattle neighborhood, where he is part of the spiritual care team, helping escort residents to Mass each week and serving as Eucharistic minister.
“When you visit a person, all you gotta do is make them feel good,” said Jake. But to the people he serves, Jake’s kindness and compassion are priceless.
Storey Squires, the volunteer director at Mount St. Vincent, said, “Jake believes he is blessed to serve, and believes God works through him every day. We feel this blessing in his servant leadership, and how happy we are to have his amazing service.”
When Jake is not volunteering in his community, he enjoys spending time with his wife Norene, his five sons, daughter and four grandkids — not to mention the various house guests, backyard chickens, etc.
Jake is grateful for the way his life has unfolded, in spite of the challenges. “God has given me an opportunity to slow down and really look at my life from the beginning to where I’m at now,” he said. “Some life struggles were harder than others. Mine paved the way for me to become the kind of person that gives back to the community.”
June is Pride Month, and the West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) has activities all month. Executive director Shalimar Gonzales sent the list – along with the photo of Y staffers – and says these events are all open to the public – nonmembers and members alike:
For 175 years, the Y has played a central role in knitting together the vibrant fabric of America. We believe the Y must continue to lead the way to a brighter future by following our belief that we are stronger when our doors are open to all. We want to ensure all people- across all dimension of diversity- feel welcome and valued as part of the Y family.
At the Y, we use the month of June to celebrate and highlight our LGBTQ+ community, members, and staff. We honor those who have done the hard work for equity and have dedicated the Y to be among them. We remember the brutality and inhumanity that has been and is perpetrated against our LGBTQ+ family. And most of all we honor all those who are living life as their authentic selves and those who are on the path to that discovery.
No matter who you are, you are seen, appreciated, and celebrated at the Y.
The West Seattle YMCA has several opportunities for folks interested in showing their support. All events are free and open to all. Attend any of the Y’s Pride events and get a coupon to waive the joining fee in the month of June!:
· June 7: Family Fun Night. Stop by the Y for a fun night of bounce house, swimming, kids gym, and more! 6:30-8:00 pm. West Seattle YMCA. [3622 SW Snoqualmie]
· June 17: Eat the Rainbow: Workshop & Cooking Demo. Join our nutritionist and learn the health benefits to eating the rainbow. 6:30-8:00 pm. West Seattle YMCA.
· June 21: PRIDE WERK Out. Reclaiming traditionally gendered exercises and sweat to a playlist featuring all queer-artists and musicians. 5:00-6:00 pm West Seattle YMCA
· June 28: Show Your PRIDE by wearing rainbow colors or PRIDE gear and join hundreds of community members across the U.S. in celebration of the LGBTQ+ Movement and the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
· June 28: Trans Pride March. Join YGS staff and members as we march to support our trans community. 5pm. Meet at Cal Anderson Park.
· June 30: Seattle Pride Parade. Join YGS staff as we march in the Pride Parade! Meet at the Downtown Seattle Y at 11 am.
· June 1-July 7: Chest Binder Drive to benefit Lambert House (an LGBTQ+ youth drop-in center). Transgender and gender non-binary individuals may choose to engage in various gender-affirming practices to reduce gender dysphoria or present in a way that is more congruent with their gender identity, which may include using chest binders.
(Photo courtesy Seattle Yarn)
The doors were open a little later than usual tonight at Seattle Yarn (5633 California SW) because of four knitters including, L-R above, Sharon Larson, Elspeth Jones, and Katie Weber. They are speed-knitting as part of a global competition called Sock Madness. And they’ve made it into the semifinals, four Seattle Yarn regulars in the final 100 (trimmed from more than 1,000 original competitors). Seattle Yarn co-proprietor Destiny Itano explains that it’s all about how quickly they can knit a pair of socks; she’s competed before, as has Elspeth, but, she says, it’s Sharon’s first time “and she’s killin’ it!”
(WSB photo)
The competition has some tough rules including no time to get familiar with the pattern – it’s sent to competitors and then it’s time to knit!
P.S. We learned while at the shop that next Saturday (June 8th) is Worldwide Knit in Public Day. Watch for some pop-up knitting events!
11:11 AM: After those words of gratitude and encouragement, Lou Cutler got going this morning on his 16th annual run/walk for Make-A-Wish. The students at Pathfinder K-8 – where he was the longtime PE teacher until retiring a few years ago – led the way:
Lou started by recording all the students heading out. This is his 16th year of doing this, $75,000+ raised for @MakeAWishAKWA pic.twitter.com/YtZ67riJ8I
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 31, 2019
Every lap gets marked off on the field-side easel:
Yes, that’s 68 laps – one for each year of the birthday Lou will celebrate in June. We’re headed back up to Pigeon Point shortly to see how he’s doing on the planned 11-plus miles. You’re welcome to join in at any point – the school’s at 1901 SW Genesee – and of course donations to make ailing kids’ wishes come true are welcome here. Lou doesn’t just raise money for the organization – he’s also been a volunteer, directly involved in wish-granting, for more than 20 years!
12:30 PM: Just went back to Pathfinder to check in:
This is the lonely stretch – but Lou’s expecting company shortly when it’s school-lunch time:
And the sun’s just emerged!
2:11 PM: Just before 2 pm, surrounded by exuberant younger helpers, Lou finished that last lap:
Lou did it! 68 laps for @MakeAWishAKWA pic.twitter.com/sQImtAzMNY
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 31, 2019
“Good job, Lou,” we heard a tiny voice say, after the crowd broke off and Lou headed for the tote board. A few more pics to add later!
7:51 PM: Thanks to Pathfinder parent and photographer Holli Margell for these next two:
Those are former students who returned to cheer Lou on. And here he is with his longtime #1 sidekick/cheerleader, teacher Andy Darring:
More cheering – this video clip is by Lisa Li:
And our final two photos:
What’s that donation link? you asked. Here!
(AAUW photo: Kelli Youngs, Anna Nguyen)
Two students from our area will continue their college studies next school year with extra assistance from a local organization. Here’s the announcement:
The Seattle Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has awarded college scholarships of more than $5,000 each to two West Seattle students.
Kelli Youngs graduated from West Seattle High School in 2018 and will graduate from South Seattle College in June. She plans to major in Political Science/Pre-Law at Western Washington University.
Anna Nguyen will graduate from Chief Sealth International High School and South Seattle College in June. She will be attending UW-Seattle in the fall, studying public health and eventually pursuing a career in health administration.
The mission of AAUW is to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.
Find out more about the organization here.
Outside West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor), that’s Keith Hughes, the U.S. Army veteran who is commander of American Legion Post 160 in The Triangle. Until 3 pm today and again 9 am-3 pm tomorrow, you can stop by for your Memorial Day poppy, with donations supporting local veterans. As explained on the Legion’s website, the poppy “reminds Americans of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms.”
Post 160, by the way, is celebrating its centennial this year. You can also join them in other traditional observances this weekend – details are in our preview.
(WSB photo from 2018)
Next Friday’s the big day! For the 16th year, Lou Cutler will spend a day running laps around the field at Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point to raise money for, and awareness of, Make-A-Wish. Even though he retired as Pathfinder’s PE teacher four years ago, Lou continues returning to the school in advance of his birthday and running one lap for each year he’s been on the planet; this year, that means 68! Students, staff, parents, and community members are welcome to join him – even just for one lap. Or, just show up on the sidelines (1901 SW Genesee) to cheer; he’ll get going just after 9 am next Friday (May 31st). And if you can, donate/pledge on behalf of Lou, who has been a longtime Make-A-Wish volunteer, actually helping “wishes” come true for ailing kids as well as raising money for the organization. Here’s his page on the Make-A-Wish website.
With Alex Trebek in the photo above is one of your neighbors – Laura Schulman! Her friend Jen shares the news that Laura will be on “Jeopardy!” tomorrow night (Thursday, May 23, 7:30 pm, channel 4). Though Laura lives in West Seattle, she works in Kitsap County, where the Kitsap Sun interviewed her before her trip to LA for the show back in March. She told the Sun she’s been a lifelong trivia devotee, including pub trivia here in WS.
The Mariners are playing another home game against the Twins this afternoon and if you’re at the game, there’s somebody special to root for – the 2019 Honorary Bat Girl, who’s from West Seattle. The photo and news release are from the team:
A West Seattle woman who credits her interest in the latest technology for discovering her breast cancer at an early stage has been selected as the Seattle Mariners Honorary Bat Girl for 2019. Dianne Munroe will be recognized on Sunday, May 19, and throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Mariners take on the Minnesota Twins.
The Honorary Bat Girl program was created by Major League Baseball in 2009 to raise awareness and support for the annual “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer” initiative. Starting this year, MLB is partnering with CrowdRise to host a fundraising contest for each Honorary Bat Girl to raise money to benefit Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) and Susan G. Komen. The winning Bat Girl will receive a trip to the 2019 World Series. All funds raised through the initiative will be donated to SU2C and Komen. More information is available at HonoraryBatGirl.com, and the Mariners Honorary Bat Girl’s fundraising page is at this link.
Mariners Honorary Bat Girl
Dianne Munroe spent much of her 34-year career in health care designing treatment and care facilities. In the 1990s, as her work focused on spaces for women’s breast health, she became an advocate for regular mammograms. With a Masters in Engineering Management, it made sense to her to take advantage of the latest technology, too.
So when she had the chance to undergo new 3D imaging at the Franciscan Breast Center in Burien in 2016, she opted to wait a few months past her normal mammogram schedule to use the new equipment.
“And they found something. I guess that’s the blessing in the whole thing. Had I not done that, I probably would have had the (2D imaging) and I probably would have gone 14 or 15 months with nothing. I would never have detected mine. It was small and very deep and the machine is what picked up my cancer,” said Munroe.
Because her cancer was detected early, the tumor was small. Munroe underwent a lumpectomy and radiation therapy at Highline Cancer Care Center. She is now cancer-free, and her physician, Dr. Ani Fleisig, a CHI Franciscan surgical oncologist, says early detection often leads to a good outcome.
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
West Seattle and the east African nation of Uganda were first connected by books and are now also connected by vanilla and a premium ice cream just introduced by Husky Deli.
In 2017, Alina Guyon’s Libraries 4 All project took her to a refugee camp on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda, where she and her mother, Sheryl, built a small library
Sheryl also brought back a few kilos of premium vanilla beans and an intriguing question: Could vanilla raise area farmers out of abject poverty and help educate their children?
She has a trained eye for such potential. Sheryl was an entrepreneur from an early age and is working with Seattle’s All the Sky Foundation to aid under-represented populations, with a particular interest in gender equity.
“Jobs in Uganda are few and far between and we were on alert for a way we might help refugees support their families,” she said. “After reading that the climate In the Kampala area is perfect for growing vanilla, I had to learn more.”
Bakers and other vanilla users know that a worldwide shortage of the flavoring has caused the price to soar. Extract from beans grown in Madagascar (the world’s principal supplier) retail for as much as $8/oz. Because each bean is so precious, growers keep field locations a secret and employ armed guards to protect their crop.
Uganda’s tropical climate and fertile soil are perfect for growing the Vanilla planifolia orchid. Uganda farmers plant a species of short tree as scaffolding for their vanilla vines and pollinate the flowers by hand. As the beans mature, they pick each by hand just as it begins to turn brown.
Through a chain of connections, Sheryl was able to learn that a wholesaler typically buys a farmer’s entire crop, then cures the beans and sells the best ones on the whole-bean market and the rest to a processor to refine into extract. She became even more convinced that she could develop the product into a “social” business that benefits those who labor the most.
“The vanilla fields are very near the refugee camp, so refugees can get beans directly from the farmers and do the packaging and paperwork needed to export them here where I can get them to a premium market,” Sheryl explained. “The farmers and refugees will profit from bulk sales and retail profits will go back to a Ugandan non-profit to pay school fees for refugee children.”
This spring, Husky Deli owner Jack Miller agreed to give “Mukono Super Vanilla” ice cream its world premiere. (The name comes from the district where the most flavorful vanilla is grown.) He’s making just 15 half-gallons at a time using Sheryl’s extract and seeds from 15 beans. If West Seattleites like what they taste, Mukono Super Vanilla will continue in the ice-cream case as the market for these “super” beans widens.
When Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, celebrates nearly 900 degree recipients this Saturday, a West Seattleite will be front and center as undergraduate valedictorian. Charli Elliott is a West Seattle High School graduate and played on the WSHS basketball team that made a historic trip to state, coached by her mom Sonya Elliott. From the school’s online profile:
Elliott majored in creative writing and played on Pacific’s varsity women’s basketball team. As she graduates this month, she will have the beginnings of a novel, polished by workshops and mentoring, which she can use to apply to graduate schools or writing residencies.
But her immediate priority, she says, is to improve her fluency in Chinese, preferably by teaching English in Taiwan. She plans to sharpen her language skills while earning some money and traveling the region — all while continuing to write.
While overseas, she said, she plans “to use the beautiful setting of Taiwan as inspiration for further work.”
Saturday’s Stamp Out Hunger food drive was a team effort – along with letter carriers picking up bags of donated food, and postal customers, who donated it, community volunteers helped out too! The photo and report are from Deb Barker:
Deb is at left in the photo with two other West Seattle residents, Linda Nageotte, CEO of Food Lifeline, and Nancy Kohn. She reports:
We joined six other volunteers unloading food donations from Westwood Mail Carrier trucks.
Per the Food Lifeline Truck Driver, the food collected by the Westwood Mail Carriers filled 21 totes. He estimated that the totes were 1,200 pounds each. So that means that 25,200 pounds of food were donated by West Seattle residents in the 98106, 98126, 98136 and 98146 zip codes served by the Westwood Mail Carriers.
A big thank you to the Westwood Mail Carriers and to the West Seattle residents who so generously donated to Stamp Out Hunger.
Deb was there in her capacity as president of Local 887 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees; two other IATSE locals were scheduled to contribute volunteers at the Westwood post office. Donations from 98116 went through the West Seattle Junction post office, where we found this group:
No word yet on a Junction collection estimate. Stamp Out Hunger is a nationwide donation drive led by the National Association of Letter Carriers, usually netting tens of millions of pounds of donated food!
“You make me a great teacher.”
That’s what Denny International Middle School teacher Leticia Clausen told students who gathered Wednesday to help celebrate her Golden Apple Award. Family and friends were there too, along with reps from KCTS 9, which has presented the Golden Apples for more than a quarter-century. Here’s our video of what happened at the classroom gathering:
She teaches dual-language immersion at Denny, whose principal Jeff Clark recalled working with her to create the program on relatively short notice, years ago. The Golden Apple honors included a $500 check presented during the classroom ceremony; the beaming winner said first thing she wanted to use it for was sopas for her students.
P.S. As part of the Golden Apple celebration, Ms. Clausen has been profiled by KCTS – see the video on the station’s website.
If you bought Girl Scout Cookies from Troop 44398, here’s what you’re helping make happen – troop leader Elizabeth Chapman sent the photo and report:
West Seattle Girl Scout Junior Troop 44398 will fly to San Francisco tomorrow to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge with 5,000 other Girl Scouts from all over the United States.This is the largest “bridging ceremony” in the country. The girls sold over 3000 boxes of cookies to meet their travel goal.
This troop of fifth graders have been together since kindergarten and while meeting their travel goals is important to them, they also love supporting their community. This year they supported Seattle Children’s Hospital by donating copies of their favorite books to give to children in the hospital.
Troop leader Chapman is also the owner of Trendy Crafts, with which the troop worked two years ago to donate craft kits for kids at Children’s.
The video above is from the Lieutenant Governor’s office, spotlighting a program in which a local student has just been chosen to participate. Here’s the announcement:
This week, Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib’s office selected Jennifer Aguilar Bamaca for the Washington World Fellows 2019 cohort.
This year’s winners were selected from nearly 200 nominees from throughout the state. To be considered for the program, students had to be nominated by a teacher or school counselor, and complete a rigorous application process that includes written essays, a personal interview, and a video submission. Nearly all of this year’s fellows will be the first in their families to attend college.
Jennifer, a student at Chief Sealth International High School, is both a student and a boxer, who enjoys learning about her Guatemalan heritage. She was selected for the program based on her enthusiasm for education, and desire to become a leader in her community. In her application she said she is excited for both the opportunity to study abroad, and the academic support to achieve her goal of being the first in her family to go to college.
The fellowship provides students with a study abroad experience in León, Spain during the summer between grades 10 and 11, followed by two years of college readiness and leadership development programming. The Washington World Fellows program was created by the office of Lt. Governor Habib in 2018, and is part of the office’s larger goal of expanding opportunities in higher education throughout Washington.
Jennifer is the only member of this year’s cohort from a Seattle school. The 2018 cohort also included a Sealth student, Luis Bravo Espinoza, spotlighted here in February for his time in Olympia as a State Senate Page.
Announced tonight by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce: The winners of the 2019 Westside Awards! The Chamber says the community nominated more than 50 businesses and individuals for the four annual awards this year, and a panel of judges chose these winners:
(WSCC photo: Chamber board member Kandie Jennings-Malloy with Manager Kory)
Westside Business of the Year (minimum of 3 years in business in West Seattle)
Alki Lumber
(WSCC photo: Anthony Rice, Nicholas Rich, past Chamber chair [& Verity employee] Pete Spalding, Jamie Gonzalez)
Westside Emerging Business (less than 3 years in business in West Seattle)
Verity Credit Union
(WSCC photo: Sandy Adams, Patrick Pape, Laura Lee, and Chamber board member Dawn Leverett)
Westside Not-For-Profit of the Year
ArtsWest
(WSB photo, July 2018)
Westsider of the Year
Adah Cruzen
In the award announcement, Chamber CEO Julia Jordan is quoted as saying, “The Westside Awards recognize companies and individuals that reflect our West Seattle geographical, professional, and individual differences. But together we are the collective engine fueling our local economy, keeping our city strong and helping to create a culture that is uniquely West Seattle.” Your chance to applaud the honorees is at the Westside Awards breakfast, Tuesday, April 30th, 7:30 am at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor); tickets and sponsorships are still available via the Chamber website.
From Judi Yazzolino at the West Seattle Food Bank:
The West Seattle Food Bank would like to thank all of the Cub and Boy Scouts of West Seattle for participating again this year in their annual Scouting for Food. What a year – 3713 lbs. of food (from multiple troops/packs) & $1712 (all from Pack 282)!
Above, Pack 284; below, Pack 793:
Next, Pack 799:
And Pack 282:
Most of the scouts dropped bags off on the doorsteps of their neighborhood and picked them up again last Saturday to deliver all of the food to the food bank. Pack 282, instead, did a food & funds drive on Saturday at West Seattle Thriftway. The scouts were then able to help us sort and pack all the food here at the food bank, take a tour and learn more about how their food will help. Thank you to not only the scouts & their parents but to all of the many West Seattleites that donated food. This will go a long way to help the 11,500 individuals that we serve every year.
One upcoming way you can help WSFB and the people it serves is to attend its annual Instruments of Change celebration May 11th – full details here!
Another amazing achievement by a West Seattleite! National competition is next for Stephanie Glascock, whose proud family shares the photo and announcement:
Stephanie Glascock, a West Seattle resident who is a senior at Raisbeck Aviation High School, became the First Place Champion in Congressional Debate at this weekend’s Washington State Championship Tournament sponsored by the Washington State Forensics Association (WFSA) and Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). (RAHS placed second in school sweepstakes for Congressional Debate.)
Having competed since her freshman year, Stephanie has garnered several local, state, and national debate awards and distinctions including quarter- and semi-finalist spots at the annual Harvard National High School Invitational Forensics Tournament, held in Cambridge, Mass., which is the largest and most prestigious high-school debate tournament in the country. She has competed twice in the National Speech and Debate Association’s National Championship Tournament held in June, qualifying again this year.
Congratulations, Stephanie!
Until 1 pm, Hate-Free Delridge and friends are in The Junction, as announced, at the south end of the block that’s closed every Sunday for the West Seattle Farmers’ Market.
The group planned the rally to show opposition to Islamophobia in the wake of the New Zealand mosque massacres.
Hate-Free Delridge is in its third year.
(WSB photo, August 2018)
An open invitation received tonight from Hate-Free Delridge, which invites you to join a gathering at California/Alaska on Sunday:
Please join us this Sunday for a very special event in West Seattle at the Alaska Junction from 11:00 am-1:00 pm! In response to the shootings in New Zealand and the hateful rhetoric of white nationalists, we are standing up to resist hate and shine our love loudly and clearly to our Muslim neighbors and friends.
We look forward to seeing you there — please see the information below and please bring your family, friends and anyone you think might be interested in helping to fight hate in West Seattle and everywhere!
(Photos courtesy David Wilson)
Thanks to David Wilson for sharing the news about his daughter Nicole Wilson, a lifelong West Seattleite who’s experiencing success with the University of Washington Equestrian Team.
Nicole is a UW junior and recently served as show manager for the first home show that the UW team had sponsored in six years, according to this story in the UW Daily. The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association event at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe drew riders from eight universities around the region. Nicole also serves as PR chair for the team and explained the show to the Daily reporter, whose story as a result shows the work it took to make the show happen. Not only was it a success in organization and execution, the UW team also triumphed with the top point total.
As also reported in the story, Nicole has qualified for the IHSA Western-style-riding semifinals in Utah and will travel later this month to ride for a chance to qualify for nationals. She is an alum of two West Seattle schools – Arbor Heights Elementary and Holy Rosary – and, as the Daily report notes, is working on a new West Seattle connection: Bringing the Highland Park-headquartered Seattle Police Mounted Patrol to the UW campus to raise the riding profile.
The past few weekends, we have featured local students who spent a week serving as pages at the State Legislature. Just found out about another student who served last week in Olympia, West Seattle High School student Ellie Vann, shown with 34th District State Senator Joe Nguyen. You can find out more about the Page Program by going here.
(WSB photos)
In the heart of The Junction, just south of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, about 20 people of all ages gathered at midday today, for a quiet demonstration billed by organizers as a “community circle.”
The demonstration was simple – signs, chalk art, face painting. Organizers told us about it via a social-media event page in which they said they want to counter “uncovered hate” via a “physical circle of humans representing community, love, and our protecting of our LGBTQIA family.”
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