Student Success Stories
Fall 2009 Student News
Summer 2009 Honor Roll
The following Centralia College full-time students earned a 4.0 grade point average during summer quarter 2009. The students listed completed a minimum of 12 college credits:Aberdeen: Martan J Walkama. Centralia: Debra A. Muller. Chehalis: Randy Durrant, Jing Wang Su, and Delores J. Sweeney. Elma: Steve R. Buckingham. Olympia: Cheyne S. Lee. Onalaska: Rodney D. Saarela. Pe Ell: David Hollinger. Rochester: Sandra L. Harrowing. Toledo: Scott E. Mader. Westport: Brian D. Judd. Winlock: Russel E. Turner.
The following students earned at least a 3.74 grade point average during summer quarter 2009 and completed a minimum of 12 credits:
Bucoda: Cory Waterman
Centralia: Jeffrey Braaten, Bo Jack Galloway, John P. Holmquist, Sharon C. Mullins, Donald B. Owens, Mandy Taylor, and Bill A. Wallace
Chehalis: Kenneth A. Conrad, Steven D. Crowl, Christine M. Fossett, Devin C. Sorensen, and Jing Xiang Su
Hoquiam: Derek A. Pendragon
Morton: Zack L. Williams
Mossyrock: Thomas J. Atkinson and Maria Hernandez
Napavine: Theresa M. Dehaven
Oakville: Casey A. Wells
Olympia: Terry B. Borne
Onalaska: Stephen M. Guardado and Shannon Walker
Pacific: Nancy J. Youngs
Randle: Dan A. Yeckel
Rochester: Jessica L. Betts, Nancy K. Childers, and Kimberly S. Parker
Shelton: Robert J. Alexander
Vader: Penny L. Bumpaous
Winlock: Danny Graves, Maria L. Hertz, Jeff A. Schlottmann, Charmaine K. Willard, and Edward R. Wittenauer
Winter 2009 Student Employees of the Quarter
Two students earned the Winter Quarter Student Employee of the Quarter Award: Ashley Duerr-Nedrow, a Centralia College student who is working as a program aide, has been awarded the Winter On-campus Student Employee of the Quarter. Donna Harmon, who worked with Olympic Dental & Denture, LLC in Centralia, was named the Winter Quarter Off-campus Student Employee of the Quarter. The college's Student Job Center staff made the announcement. The award is based on recommendations by college staff who supervise student workers.
PSS staff, Cheryl Althauser, Donna Ruby, Rebecca Scott, and Cristy Heitschmidt joined together to submit the recommendation. The recommendation stated: "Ashley demonstrates accountability and a strong sense of responsibility in her work ethic. She has excellent interpersonal skills and is a delight to work with." "Ashley is very punctual, usually arriving early. She has not missed a day of work since she started." "She is a quick learner." "She is willing to learn new techniques and is open to constructive suggestions. Ashley takes pride in the work she does. While she accepts suggestions with grace, from time to time she also contributes a helpful suggestion on how to improve the working of the kitchen operation." "She is calm in stressful situations. She is sincere, friendly and welcoming. She helps students feel comfortable by greeting them by name when they arrive to class and she knows each of the children's names. She consistently remembers the special needs of one child who has food allergies." "Ashley represents our program and the college in a professional manner. From time to time, our TIPS students behave in socially inappropriate ways (loud, angry, flirtatious) but Ashley behaves respectfully towards everyone and does not pass judgment based on their behavior."
Other students who were nominated for the on-campus award included:
TERESA OBENAUF, Centralia College East
SAILAS CHIMUKHO, Diesel Technology
MICHELLE FREDERICK, Centralia College Library
Other students who were nominated for the off-campus award included:
DEBBIE BREON, WSU – Extension Energy Program
DOROTHY TROTTER, Tom Dobbs Farmers Insurance
HOLLY PHELPS, Edison Elementary School
JODI HAMER, Dr. Joe Dolezal
Student Profile: Hannah Ash, Miss Lewis County 2009
Recently chosen Miss Lewis County for 2009 is a Centralia College student with an eye on music. Hannah Ash is an academic transfer student who will major in music and hopes for a career in the field. Her talent choice in the local Miss Lewis County Pageant was opera; she's a gifted soprano.
Equally impressive was her ability to write an arrangement that changed a standard operatic solo from 8 minutes to just a minute-and-a-half. Both her voice talent and her technical ability stunned the audience and convinced the pageant judges!
Ash attended Centralia Christian School through grade eight, and graduated from Centralia College. She found a part-time job at Pope's Kid's Place that she still holds, and that experience has broadened her career music ambitions.
"My dream has always been to join an opera company," Ash said. "I've loved classic music and the idea of being on stage for some of the great vocal pieces written for performance." Her experience at Pope's Kid's Place showed her another valuable application of her musical gift. "I saw the results classic music had on children," she explained. "Some who were really troubled were able to begin their recovery partly because of the music we brought them." Ash paused for a moment, then added "It was about the most rewarding experience I've ever known."
Her confidence in landing a career in opera—and perhaps in music therapy—took a giant step forward when she came to Centralia College and studied under Dr. Donna Huffman. The Centralia College music director recognized Ash's talent and passion for her music and almost immediately became a mentor and personal advisor.
"I came to Centralia College for the usual reasons," Ash explained. "It was less expensive, the cost was a lot lower so I could save for my future education in a university, and I really wasn't quite ready to move away. I think I still needed the support system my family has provided for all these years." Ash admits that being able to study with Dr, Huffman and Ruth Woodcock were advantages she hadn't recognized until she enrolled. "I take all my necessary core classes, too," Ash said, "but I am definitely closest to Dr. Huffman and Ruth Woodcock. They represent the study I am most devoted to." Ash doesn't have time for much activity outside work and college, but she admits to enjoying listening to classical music and watching classic movies ("They have such great old music in them!") when time permits.
High school trio earn STEM honors
They're among the top students coming out of the region's high schools; they’re a trio that are likely to leave an impressive body of work throughout their careers. And now, thanks to Centralia College and the Centralia College Foundation, Josh Miller, Molly Yoder, and Justine White will get a strong nudge toward their educational goals.The STEM Scholarship
The trio of scholastic high achievers are the first batch to receive the foundation's high value STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) scholarships. For their first and second (if attending) years at Centralia College, these scholarships will pay full tuition and $1,000 per year for books. The scholarships will also pay $1,000 toward tuition each year for a third and fourth year at a baccalaureate institution. It is the most comprehensive scholarship the foundation awards. The scholarship is based on academic achievement, educational goals in a STEM field, and the recommendation from high school teachers and administrators. The students are either straight A or near that mark throughout their schooling careers. Each student has also been involved in community services and high school activities. "It will be a pleasure to welcome this trio of outstanding and focused students," said Dr. Jim Walton, college president. "They represent the highest ideals of STEM scholarship."
Josh Miller, STEM Scholarship recipient
"This scholarship is very important," said Josh Miller, a W.F. West senior. "I wasn't sure I was going to get it but it made the difference in my coming to Centralia College. It’s what I want to do.” His second choice was the University of Washington.
Continuing his studies in engineering will allow Josh to live at home. He isn’t sure he is ready to move off to a big city just yet.
"I’ve always enjoyed physics, and my teachers have all encouraged me. That has been very helpful," he said.
When Josh received the scholarship during the Science Center open house in mid-April, it was his first look at the building where he will be spending a lot of his time. "I didn't realize it is as big as it is," he said. "It's going to be great. This is a really impressive building." And he was already impressed with the college. "I know it's a great school, I've heard it's ranked among the highest in the state and I'm glad I'm coming," said Josh.
Molly Yoder, STEM Scholarship recipient
Molly Yoder a second-year Running Start student who attends both Centralia College and Tenino High School agrees. "(The scholarship) is a financial blessing," she said. "It means I can go in a direction I want in terms of my college studies. Without it I probably would have stayed only with my math studies and not considered engineering. Now I will." Molly isn't sure what her career goal is right now but plans to transfer to Western Washington University after she earns an Associate in Science degree in another year. "I know I'm going into science. It's something that is essential and we all use it in some form every day." She said one of her life's goals is to use her skills to help people.
Molly already knows about the quality of the college teaching staff and the new Science Center. "I've heard great things about the college and I'm very impressed with the math and science programs," she said. The labs and study spaces are highlights, so far, for Molly and her two STEM counterparts, but the best is yet to come.
Justine White, STEM Scholarship recipient
Justine White, currently attending W.F. West, sees the STEM scholarship as a big honor. "It's a recognition that I appreciate very much," she said. "Having a scholarship like this will make it easier when I transfer to a four-year school," she said. Justine would have come to Centralia College without the scholarship—she likes the fact that the college is close to home and family—but the full-ride award sealed the deal. "I plan to go into the medical field but I'm not sure about anything specific," she said. She's looking forward to taking classes in the college's new Science Center and learning from the professors who will prepare her for a bright future. Right now Justine enjoys playing tennis and hanging out with her friends. Next fall her studies may get a more serious but at least she won't have to worry about paying the tuition bill.
Student Profiles
Jordan Knittle
This might read like one student's success story but it's also a story about a mom's success and the role of Centralia College in the family's travel through life. Jeanna Knittle, the mom, is a 1996 graduate of Centralia College. As a young mother she found her way from Kotzebue, Alaska, to Centralia College in search of the education that would provide the foundation for continued education and a chance to establish a new life.During her time as a student, Jeanna, who earned tuition support as a student-worker, brought her 7-year old daughter Jordan to a Bring-your-daughter-to-work Day celebration at the college. A photographer took her picture to commemorate the event. After more than a dozen years Jordan still treasures that photo. Jeanna spent two years here and armed with her associate's degree took her family on to The Evergreen State College. There she earned her bachelor's degree and has a rewarding job working in Seattle for an agency providing social care for the elderly. Also since then, the daughter has grown and, as her mom, has turned to Centralia College for an educational foundation. This is Jordan Knittle, now 19, who has the dream of working as a children's librarian. Like her mom, she knows that education is essential in opening doors of opportunity.
Starting college has also helped Jordan realize that it will take effort to realize her dreams. As she works through her first year, she's getting used to setting goals and knowing what it takes to reach them. "Now I know what I really, really want. I'll likely need a master's degree along the way but working with young children and in a library setting are things I really like. This is what I want to do," she said. "And Centralia College is a small, friendly place that is comfortable." She's following in her mom's footprints, and that's okay considering her mom, who is her best friend, found success here.
"One of the reasons I'm here is because Centralia College is familiar," she said. It worked for her mom and now it's working for her. "There are a lot of memories of Centralia and my mom had a good experience at this college," said Jordan. One of those memories for Jeanna is the way the counseling staff helped her through some of the classes she had trouble with; she passed that tidbit of information on to her daughter. "Like my mom, I'm not very good at math," said Jordan. But Jordan, just as her mom, has access to tutors who have been working with her to open the mysteries of math. "And it's helping. My high school teacher would lecture for an hour and it was hard to get any individual attention," she said. "Here I work with a tutor who really knows algebra and is good at helping me learn. There is time for one-on-one help. The support is much more personal."
It's the personal touch that makes a tremendous difference for so many. It's available at Centralia College and it's free. That support, a small college comfort zone, will be important over the coming two years while Jordan works toward her degree. And like her mom, the genetic drive to succeed will play a big role in reaching her goals.
Lt. David Mauel
When David Mauel left high school in Chehalis to come to Centralia College, he was admittedly unfocused on his future, but had a great incentive to succeed. "A high school counselor told me I 'just wasn't college material,' he recalled. "I don't know if he was using reverse psychology on me or just underestimated my stubbornness," Mauel laughed. "Whatever it was, it worked; I spent four years at Centralia College, building credits I would need for a college degree."Mauel grudgingly admits he might not have done so well except for the mentorship and encouragement of two faculty members in particular. "I really loved music," he explained, "and Dr. Donna Huffman recognized that spark in me. For all the time I was here," Mauel continued, "Dr. Huffman was overwhelmingly on my side. It would have been a lot harder road to follow without her support." He paused for a moment. "And then Dr. Greg van Alstyne spent a lot of time encouraging me when I struggled with some academic subjects. Between them, they proved my old high school counselors wrong," Mauel added with a quick grin.
Mauel also entered the Centralia College electronics program, earning high grades and solid skills. He quickly credited the electronics program faculty for continuing to support his electronics degree studies. That phase of his education would have a profound effect on his later career. After leaving Centralia College, Mauel entered the ROTC program at WSU and upon graduation was commissioned into the US Navy. His electronic background got him appointed Electronics Officer on the troop vessel USS Trenton, where he and his shipmates rescued US and other refugees from Lebanon, delivering them to the safety of Cypress.
David Mauel's next assignment, and one of the most exciting imaginable, was as Damage Control Officer on the USS Mason, a modern missile-equipped warship. The crew's mission was Maritime Intervention; the young officer was now chasing pirates off the coast of Somalia! One of the targets he and the Mason's crew rescued from modern piracy was a huge cargo ship filled with tanks, missiles, and other implements of war.
Details of the anti-piracy skirmishes are still classified but it was clearly the stuff of warriors's dreams and statesmen's nightmares! As he recounted his military successes and encounters, Mauel continually recalled the important part Centralia College played in preparing him for such a challenging and important career. "My most lasting image of Centralia College," he confided, "is of a truly incredible faculty that stays here because the professors and teachers want to make a real difference in people's lives."
Lt. Mauel is now a surface warfare officer, a job he believes to be the backbone of American naval effectiveness. These are the "warriors of the sea" that actually guide the ships and command the crews in the most demanding of world situations. One cannot help but be impressed with the character of a young man deemed "not college material," who was determined to learn everything he could—and use that knowledge to reach for the loftiest of ideals.
Valerie Vaughn
In the strictest of terms, Valerie Vaughn is classified as a "returning student," although she admits it's been a long time. But her reason for returning to college was pretty ordinary; a couple of life's unexpected twists were something quite else again. "I had a job I really enjoyed," Vaughn explained, "but when the recession suddenly hit, I was one of those people who got 'downsized.' It seemed like a good time to spend some time and energy getting better prepared to land and keep a job."In fact, college had always evaded Vaughn. Either finances were too short, a job wouldn't spare her the time, or personal circumstances got in the way. "Besides, I didn't think I could do very well in college," Vaughn admitted. "But I qualified for Workforce training and found I had other options as well, so I enrolled." A week later Vaughn had packed all her belongings in her car and was on the verge of a trip to California, but, as she said, "I recovered my senses in time and came back to class." As the quarters passed, Vaughn got a student worker assignment in the Students with Disability office, settled into her studies, and gained a cautiously optimistic outlook. "The big problem," she recalled, "was a lack of ability to pull up learned information, especially in math, but I eventually had to recognize I had a problem to deal with."
Working with staff and other students in the disability group, Vaughn discovered that her difficulty with recall was the result of a childhood injury; subsequent medical evaluations confirmed the fact. "When I went to work for Barbara Oswald, I wasn't expecting to come face-to-face with my own disability," Vaughn said, "but I did. It wasn't easy, but that realization began to make sense of other events that had taken place in my life." With at least part of the problem addressed, Vaughn began to look at the people and things about her differently. "I came to recognize that there are others that share my level of disability, but seem unwilling to actually deal with it. Having been there, I know how easy that is to do."
Vaughn is now in a marketing program where she sees, especially with a history in broadcast media, areas that will need new ideas and new approaches. "In areas such as marketing to the growing elderly population," she said, "we need to find a new approach to social marketing and market engineering." She clearly sees promise in the new career field. "Still, I can't see myself leaving broadcasting," Vaughn admits. "There will be new challenges to adequately support the groups not being heard, and broadcasting seems a good connection with them." Centralia College, according to Vaughn, has helped her recognize the factors she needs to deal with. The experience—even with a few wrinkles along the pathway—has given her the chance to start focusing on her future.
Winter 2009 Honor Roll
The following full-time students earned a 4.0 gpa during winter quarter 2009 and completed a minimum of 12 college credits:Adna: Devon J Kuhlmann. Centralia: Young Hwan Kim, Drew C Kirker, Jeffrey M Lowdermilk, Bonnie J McLeod, Zachariah J Morgan, Louis J Redmon, Freddy Sevilla, Nicholas J Vanderveldt, Andrew B Wallace and Cecil (Scott) R Taylor. Chehalis: Geah B Betts, Andrew T Bradley, Randy Durrant, Kenton E Guenther, Anna C Mano, Mike A Partee, Jing Wang Su. Lacey: Kevin M Arras. Federal Way: Hyunju Han. Hoquiam: William E Brookreson. Morton: Mikhael A Tran and Jodi R Weber. Mossyrock: Scott A Rogers. Napavine: Austin Jenson. Oakville: John E Heller and Brent W Michaud. Randle: Evan Jd Hedlund. Rochester: Jacob L Ames, April M Gerdts, Jessica M Miller, Allicia M Peterson, and Nicholas P Wyatt. Shelton: Rodney D Tennison. Spokane: Mark L Tonhofer. Toledo: Donald R Vickaryous.
The following students earned at least a 3.74 gpa during winter quarter 2009 and completed a minimum of 12 credits:
Adna: Kari L Andersen. Centralia: Lynne E Allen, Raymon E Bell, Heather A Burns, Scott M Carreras, Wai-Man Choi, Jason Cowin, Darin Deehr, Brianna L Dykman, Martha A Elliott, Bo Jack Galloway, Kimberly N Hall, Harley E Heywood, Jessica J Hoel, Joshua J Josephs, Heather D Kolowinski, Kylee L Layman, Aishan Lei, Pan Li, Masanori Maeda, Ashton N McKenzie, Kila M Messick, Melissa S Mills, Raymond L Morgan, Debra A Muller, George A Nielsen, Jordan K Norris, Kandace K Olney, Hillary R Peters, Jeremy L Phillipi, Christopher K Pluard, Janice G Sathre, Anjin Song, David E Steinbrenner, Lori L Taylor, Tessie R Taylor, Bill A Wallace, Mona M Werner, Sarah E White, Yui Yoneguchi, and Jazmin Zaldivar-Parra. Chehalis: Allen R Anderson, Gerald Arevalo, Kari Arness, Daniel C Bryant, Zach J Burkhart, Andrew J Cole, Kevin D Coleman, Andrew S Conway, Dayken T Emrich, Lexi Anna Garrity, Carol K Halverson, Jamie A Harris, Cody C Hawthorne, Kayla M Hitchcock, Susan B James, Linda L Johnson, Golnaz Koloushani, Gabriel D Lawrence, Joseph A Lipczynski, Raeann C Lobaugh, Clayton J McConnell, Dale J Morrison, Nina C Nishiyama, Nissa M Nishiyama, Dustin E Palermo, Brandon P Pavey, Dylan J Pawlak, Tyson L Schmitt, Shelbi L Simmons, Devin C Sorensen, Ling Sparks, Victoria R Stewart, Jing Xiang Su, Dolores C Treichler, and Brandon L Withey. Cinebar: Breanne M Rhodes. Doty: Derek J Muir Ethel: Jon D Cramer. Hoquiam: Kathryn M Callahan. Morton: Jesse M Barker, Roxanne L Neitzel, and Cheyenne M Tomlinson Mossyrock: Jessica R Crow, Sara J Fike, John M Lenz, and Qingyu Ming. Napavine: Kathleen Kaut. Oakville: Jennifer M Wall and Casey A Wells Olympia: Debbie P Breon, Patrick E Holden, Cheyne S Lee, Rebekah M Richardson, and Stephanie R Spriggs. Onalaska: Chelsey K Buffington, Annette R Erickson, Austin G Hunt, Randall Paquette, Jessica D Remer, and Peter J Wilson. Randle: Douglas L Findley and Alexandria Goodrich Rochester: Nancy K Childers, Morgan M Glabe, Brandon G Hicks, Jacob J Johnson, Jair J Juarez, Kasey D Kenyon, Kali L Nachatilo, and Keith R Ponis. Shelton: Rachael R Stevens. Silver Creek: Ashley Lobb. Toledo: Robert A Espen, Allison M Freerks, Devin E Hoyt, Jason M King, Hilary G Luhn, Olan A Oberg, Eleah P Reece, and Tad W Roeder. Tumwater: Tenile L Murphy. University Place: Seth Gregorich. Winlock: Rachel A Buckle, Cheyenne B Clark, Sarah L Hylton, and Amelia Tobiason. Yelm: Samuel E Riggs.
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