July 2009 - University Place School District

D E V E L O P I N G C O M P E T E N T C O N T R I B U T I N G C I T I Z E N S F O R A C H A N G I N G W O R L D 

S C H O O L 

D I S T R I C T 

U N I V E R S I T Y P L A C E 

Volume 29 

Number 4 

July 2009 

. 

Dialog 

Editor’s Note: The following were excerpted from messages delivered to the Curtis High School class of 2009 at their 

graduation ceremony on June 12. 

A Special Legacy 

by David Hammond, Curtis High School Principal 

Seniors, as you accept your diplomas and head out into the world, and 

as you watch your friends do the same, know that you are part of a special 

legacy that no other school can match. 

My message to you, as Curtis Vikings, is to do your best on whatever 

road you choose to take, no matter what that road may be. As long as 

you work hard, as long as you take pride in what you do, and as long as 

you are guided by the morals and ethics that you have learned from 

your parents and teachers, you will succeed. You will make a difference 

in the world and you will make us all proud. 

Three years ago on a warm August day I introduced myself to you at 

Viking Days during sophomore orientation. Now, I stand before you at 

the other end of that journey, a journey where you have learned and 

grown from us and I have learned and grown from you. I was told that 

as a principal one develops a connection to each graduating class 

Continued on page 6 

Press On! 

by Stuart Dodge, Curtis High School History Teacher 

When I was asked about speaking to you tonight, I realized that we 

share a common bond that I will never share with another class at 

Curtis High School. You see, three years ago you and I arrived here 

together. Because of this, I knew I had to give you some extra special, 

meaning-of-life advice—the key to success and happiness. 

People have been searching for hundreds of years for such a key. I’m 

sorry to say, I cannot give you a magic formula. It is up to each and 

every one of you to make your own life fulfillment. You are all different. 

You are all unique. You will all experience life differently and at times it 

will not be easy. The only person who can lead you to success and happiness 

is you. 

What I can do is tell you what has worked for me. It has taken a few 

years and it has changed over time, but it is what has brought me to this 

point in time. First, enjoy what you do. I don’t believe happiness and 


A Strong Foundation 

by Justin Mukai, Curtis High School 2009 Senior Class President 

It is truly an honor to share this part of our graduation ceremony with 

all of you. I loved growing up in University Place. I loved going to Curtis 

High School. No matter what the future holds for us, no one can take 

away all the things we have accomplished and all the memories that 

helped shape and define who we are today. 

Everyone we meet leaves an impression on us, helps to mold us and 

influences us in countless ways. It starts with our families…especially our 

parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters. Then our world expands to 

include the influences of our friends, teachers, coaches, peers, and mentors. 

Remember the teachers who scolded you because they knew you 

could do more…or the coach who benched you for not hustling…or 

the friend who stayed up all night with you when your heart was broken. 

Whether their influence was positive or negative, it all contributes to 


David Hammond 

Stuart Dodge 

Justin Mukai 

Pictures courtesy of Bob Knight Photo

2 

Honors, Awards, and Scholarship Recipients 

Photo Not Available 




MELANIE ABBOTT 

Washington State Honors Award, 

Honor Graduate 

Future plans: Will study international 

politics at Yonsei University. 

SADAF AHMAD 

Washington State Honors Award 

KWABENA AMOAH-FORSON 

Elizabeth Wesley Scholarship, 

Elizabeth Wesley Foundation; 

Scholarship, State Farm Insurance 

Company 

Future plans: Will attend Western 

Washington University and major in 

African Studies. 

KYLE ANDERSON 

National Merit Commended 

Scholar; Washington State Honors 

Award; Outstanding Band Participant 

Award; Washington State 

Principals’ Scholars Award for 

Academic Excellence; Honor 

Graduate 

Future plans: Will study aeronautical 

engineering at Stanford University. 

ABIGAIL ATANASIO 


Future plans: Will attend BYU Idaho 

and major in interior design. 

ARASH AULAKH 


Future plans: Will attend the 

University of Washington and major 

in biology. 

MADEL BASCONCILLO 

Kilworth Foundation Scholarship, 

University of Puget Sound; Puget 

Sound Scholarship, University of 

Puget Sound; Puget Sound Opportunity 

Scholarship, University 

of Puget Sound; Dean’s Scholarship, 

Gonzaga University; Honor 

Graduate 

Future plans: Will study nursing at 

the University of Washington. 

MADISON BATES 

National Merit Scholarship Finalist; 

National Merit Scholar, Knox 

College; Washington State Honors 

Award; Knox Creative Writing 

Scholarship, Knox College; Lincoln 

Scholarship, Knox College; 

Founders Scholarship, Knox College; 

Washington State Principals’ 

Scholars Award for Academic 

Excellence; Honor Graduate 

Future plans: Will attend Knox 

College and study music composition. 

CHAD BENSON 

MAC Scholar 

DILLON BERREY 


Scholar; Scholarship, Tacoma 

Narrows Rotary Club; Washington 

State Honors Award; Football 

Student Athlete of Pierce County 

Scholarship, Pierce County Football 

Hall of Fame; Ted Thompson/Bill 

Tansky Scholarship, Alaska 

Airlines; Washington State 


Academic Excellence; Joe Thomas 

Memorial Scholarship; Keith 

Johnston Award; Don Herema 

Inspirational Award; Honor 

Graduate 

Future plans: Will study pre-med at 


SARAH BETTERIDGE 

Washington State Honors Award; 




Future plans: Will major in exercise 

science at Brigham Young University. 

JULIANNE BISHOP 


Presidential Honors Scholarship, 

Lake Erie College; Washington 

State Principals’ Scholars Award 

for Academic Excellence; Honor 

Graduate 

Future plans: Will attend Lake Erie 

College and major in equine teaching 

and training. 





KELLIE BLAIR 


WSU Achievement Award, Washington 

State University; AFT 

Washington/Schwerin, Campbell, 

Barnard, Iglitzin & Lavitt Scholarship; 

AFT Washington; Honor 

Graduate 

Future plans: Will attend Washington 

State University and study education. 

SHAWN BLAISDELL 

Scholarship, Virginia Wesleyan 

College 

Future plans: Will attend Stevenson 

University and major in business. 

ERICA BOLING 

Scholarship, Tacoma Narrows 

Rotary Club; Washington State 

Honors Award; Outstanding 

Japanese Language Scholar; 




Future plans: Will attend Seattle 

University and major in nursing. 

BRENNA BREAM 


Whitworth Trustee’s Scholarship, 

Whitworth University 

Future plans: Will study nursing and 

French at Whitworth University. 

NICHOLAS BURNS 


GLADYS CAMILO 

Gene Juarez Academy Scholarship 

AMANDA CARDON 


Outstanding Web Master Award 

JESSIKA CARLSTROM 

Ben B. Cheney Scholarship, Ben 

Cheney Foundation; Scholarship, 

Tacoma Narrows Rotary Club; 


Board of Trustees Scholarship, 

Regis University; Outstanding 

Science Scholar; Washington State 



Graduate 

Future plans: Plans to major in prepharmacy 

at Regis University. 

LANDON CARR 

Don Edling Award 


University of Maryland and plans to 

become an orthodontist. 

DEVIN CAVANAGH 

Grand Canyon Singers Scholarship, 

Grand Canyon University; 

Lacrosse Scholarship, Dominican 

University of California 

Future plans: Will attend UW- 

Tacoma and become a firefighter. 

THOMAS CHANG 

Scholarship, West Point Prepatory 

Academy, United States Military 

Academy 

GRACE CHO 

Scholarship, Curtis High School 

PTSA; Willie Stewart Community 

Service Scholarship, United Way 

of Pierce County; Dan Miles Memorial 

Scholarship, Greater Pierce 

County Community Network 

ANGELA CHOE 


PTSA 

STEVE CHOI 

Shane Maumasi Tropik Art 

Memorial Scholarship; Artistic 

Excellence Award 

Future plans: Will study art at the 

School of Visual Arts. 

HONOR GRADUATE: Students who receive a 3.5 GPA or 

higher in seven semesters from grades 9-12. 






CARLEY CHRISTIANSON 


Scholarship, UP Kiwanis Club; 

Pano Koumantaros Memorial 


Rotary Club; Viking Scholarship, 

Viking Scholarship Committee; 




Future plans: Will study accounting 

at the University of Washington. 

JINHO CHU 

Navy ROTC Scholarship, 

University of Idaho 


University of Idaho. 

RYAN CHURCH 



Future plans: Will study psychology at 


PE’A COEN 

Bernice A.B. Keyes Trust 

Scholarship, Honor Graduate 


University. 

BLAINE CONZATTI 

Scholarship, UP Education 

Association; Honor Graduate 

Future plans: Will study music performance 

at the Musicians Institute. 

NICOLE COOK 

Scholarship, Sea Alaska Corps; 

Grant, Washington State 

University 

Future plans: Will major in pediatrics 

at Washington State University. 

KELSY COOMBS 


Future plans: Will study business at 

Tacoma Community College. 

EDILENE CUEVAS 


Future plans: Will major in business 

management at Western Washington 

University. 

PATRICK CULVER 

Army ROTC Scholarship, Central 

Washington University; Outstanding 

NJROTC Cadet Award 

Future plans: Will attend Central 

Washington University. 

ANDREA DEERING 


A’Cappella Choir Booster Club; 

St. Olaf Academic Grant, St. Olaf 

College; Music Scholarship, St. 

Olaf Conservatory; Cassler Scholarship, 

Cassler; Music Performance 

Major Scholarship, St. Olaf 

Conservatory; Outstanding 

Culminating Project Award; 


Future plans: Will study music education/performance 

at St. Olaf College. 

ADAM DICKINSON 

National Army ROTC Scholarship, 

United States Army; Embry 

Riddle Aeronautical University 

Dean’s Scholarship, Embry Riddle 


Future plans: Will attend Embry 

Riddle University. 

RACE DILORETO 


Outstanding Science Scholar; 




Future plans: Will major in molecular 

biology at the California Institute of 

Technology. 

MARIA DOGERO 


Higher Education Coordinating 

Board Legislative District #28 

Washington Scholar; Scholarship, 

CHS Theater Booster Club; Washington 

State Honors Award; 

Scholarship, UP Kiwanis Club; UP 

Classified Associaton Scholarship; 

UPCA; Stanford Fund Scholarship, 

Stanford University; Outstanding 

Choir Participant Award; 




Future plans: Will study theatre and 

psychology at Stanford University. 

MARQUISE DOSS 

MAC Scholar 




AUSTON DUNCAN 

Scholarship, Guam Club; 

Scholarship, Hawaiian Club 

Future plans: Will attend Tacoma 

Community College then plans to 

transfer to the University of Hawaii. 

BRADLEY DUPEA 


Future plans: Will major in sports 

medicine at Linfield College. 

MARK ELLING 

Scholarship, CHS Theater Booster 

Club; Washington State Honors 

Award; Honor Graduate 

Future plans: Will attend the Digipen 

Institute of Technology. 

CHRISTOPHER EMERY 

Outstanding Theater Stagecraft 

Award 

NICOLE ENSLOW 

Outstanding Psychology Award 


Washington University. 

MEGAN ERNST 



Future plans: Will major in dental 

hygiene at Pierce College. 

JAMIE ESCOBAR 

Outstanding Spanish Language 

Scholar 

Future plans: Will attend Clover Park 

Technical College and plans to be a 

surgical technician. 

NICHOLE FAST 

Retired Women Teachers 

Scholarship, Azaliea Thomas; 

Scholarship, University Place 

Principals’ Associaton; 

Outstanding Family and 

Consumer Science Award 

AUSTIN FLATH 

Michael Sterbick Memorial 

Scholarship 

ALEXA FRY 

Associate’s Degree of Arts and 

Sciences, Tacoma Community 




University and major in psychology. 

DEVONTE’ GARCIA 

MAC Scholar 

Future plans: Will attend Phoenix 

College and major in broadcasting or 

sports journalism. 

RACHELLE GARD 


Rotary Club; Scholarship, Curtis 

High School Theater Booster 

Club; Washington State Honors 

Award; Outstanding Band Participant 


Future plans: Will attend Colorado 

State University and major in engineering 

physics. 

NATHAN GARLOCK 

Scholarship, CHS Theater Booster 

Club; George R. Curtis Award, 


Excellence Award, Brigham Young 

University Idaho; Honor Graduate 

Future plans: Will attend BYU-Idaho 

and major in pre-med. 

DANIEL GESSEL 


Future plans: Will attend Brigham 

Young University and study biology. 

ANDREA GEUBELLE 

Full Ride Athletic Track Scholarship, 

University of Kansas; Gloria 

O’Dell Award 

CHARLES GILMUR 


Provost Scholarship, Oregon State 

University; Scholar Athlete Award, 

National Football Foundation; 

Bob Lucey Viking Award; Honor 

Graduate 

Future plans: Will attend Oregon 

State University and major in prepharmacy. 

MADISON GOERTZ 

Scholarship, Tacoma Junior 

Assembly 

Future plans: Will attend Pierce 

College.





KEVIN GOLLIHUR 

Live Your Dream Scholarship, 

Universal Technical Institute; UTI 

Scholarship, Universal Technical 

Institute; UP Town Cruisin’ 

Scholarship, UP Town Cruisin’ 

Association; Imagine America 

Scholarship 


Universal Technical Institute to 

become an automotive specialist. 

JENNIE GRIFFIN 

Scholarship, CHS A’Cappella 

Choir Booster Club; Viking 

Scholarship, Viking Scholarship 

Committee; Music Award, Pacific 

Lutheran University School of 

Music; Honor Graduate 

Future plans: Will major in music at 

Western Washington University. 

SARAH HARMON 

Associates Degree of Arts and 




Future plans: Will major in the 

Comparitive History of Ideas at the 

University of Washington. 

LINDSEY HARPER 


Dean’s Scholarship, Gonzaga 

University; Honor Graduate 

Future plans: Will attend Gonzaga 


JENNIFER HARTMAN 

Merit Scholarship, Brigham 

Young University - Idaho 

Future plans: Will attend BYU - 

Idaho and major in cosmetology. 

KEVIN HAYS 


President’s Scholarship, California 

Lutheran University; Scholarship, 

University Place Education 

Association; Honor Graduate 


at California Lutheran University. 

RACHEL HAYS 



College; Jim Baurichter PBA 

Scholarship; Katie Andrews 

Memorial Swimming Scholarship 

JOSEPH HEARD 

MAC Scholar 

Future plans: Plans to join the United 

States Air Force. 

CARTER HERSEY 


Education Association 

Future plans: Will attend Redlands 

University in California. 

CHELSA HICKS 

Outstanding Family and 

Consumer Science Award 

TERRENCE HILL 

MAC Scholar 

Future plans: Will attend Phoenix 

University to become a sports analyst. 

HANNA HO 

Art Scholarship, Pensacola 

Community College 


Community College or Pierce College. 

VALERIE HOOVER 

Outstanding Theater Stagecraft 

Award 


Community College to become an 

ultrasound technician. 

ANDREA HUDSON 


A’Cappella Choir Booster Club; 


Future plans: Will attend BYU - 

Idaho and study music. 

REBEKAH HUDSON 

Academic Scholarship, University 

of Washington - Tacoma 


University of Washington - Tacoma. 

YUN HWANG 



PTSA; Honor Graduate 



JESSE JAMES 

Regent’s Academic Scholarship, 

Missouri Western State University; 

Western Frontier Scholarship, 

Missouri Western State University; 

Scholarship, Curtis Baseball 

Association 




MANAL JMAILEH 



College; Alumni Board Scholarship, 

University of Washington; 



Future plans: Will major in biochemistry 


ATALIA JONES 

Bernice A.B. Keyes Trust 

Scholarship 


Washington University and plans to 

become an ophthalmologist. 

CAMARIN KADEKAWA 

Outstanding Yearbook Editor 

Award 


or photography at Pierce College. 

MICHELLE KANG 



Award; Scholarship, UP Kiwanis 

Club; Regent’s Scholarship, Pepperdine 

University; Outstanding 

Math Scholar; Washington State 

Prinicipals’ Scholars Award for 


Graduate 

Future plans: Will major in biology at 

Pepperdine University. 

ANNA KASPER 

Outstanding Marketing Education 

Award 

Future plans: Will attend Bates College 

to become a firefighter/paramedic. 

TESS KEARNEY 

Outstanding Video Production 

Award 


College and plans to become a director 

of photography. 

KYLE KERBY 

Doyle Athletic Scholarship, Santa 

Rosa Junior College 

Future plans: Will attend Santa Rosa 

Junior College. 

DAHONG KIM 


Future plans: Will study music at the 

Musicians Institute. 

DANIEL KIM 



Future plans: Will major in chemistry 


HYUN KIM 


Future plans: Will study mechanical 

engineering at the University of 

Washington. 

JONG KIM 


Army ROTC Scholarship, Seattle 

Pacific University 


Pacific University plans to become a 

dentist or nurse in the military. 

KYU KIM 

Scholarship, TKCC; Alter Service 

Award, TKCC 

Future plans: Will study naturopathic 

medicine or acupuncture at the 


SOO KIM 

Scholarship, UP Lion’s Club; 

ROTC Scholarship, United States 

Army; Honor Graduate 

Future plans: Will major in nursing 

at Seattle University. 

ESTHER KOLKMAN 

Athletic Scholarship, Southern 

Methodist University; St. Andrews 

Scholarship, St. Andrews Episcopal 

Church; Honor Graduate 

Future plans: Will attend Southern 

Methodist University and major in 

civil engineering. 

LAUREN KOONTZ 


Academic Achievement Scholarship, 

Gonzaga University; Honor 

Graduate 

Future plans: Will major in English 


STANLEY LANGLOW 

Ray Beard Award, Honor 

Graduate 






JESSICA LARSEN 



Scholarship, Daffodil Scholarship 

Foundation; Washington State 



Graduate 

Future plans: Will major in pre-law 


KIMBERLY LATSCHAW 


Athletic Scholarship, California 

Baptist University; Deans Scholarship, 

California Baptist University 

Future plans: Will attend California 

Baptist University and plans to 

become an orthopedic surgeon. 

JAMIE LAWRENCE 

Legacy Scholarship, Whitworth 

University; Whitworth Grant, 

Whitworth University; Fleet 

Reserve Scholarship, Fleet 

Reserves; Honor Graduate 

Future plans: Will study music and 

English at Whitworth University. 

BRIAN J. LEE 







BRIAN S. LEE 



Future plans: Will study architecture 

at the University of Illinois at Urbana- 

Champaign. 

CAROLINE LEE 

KASF Scholarship, KASF Western 

Region 


at Western Washington University. 

DANIEL LEE 


Scholarship, West Point Prep 

School Marion Military Academy; 


Future plans: Will attend West Point 

Prep School at MMI. 

HANA LEE 

Navy ROTC Scholarship, Embry 

Riddle University; Embry Riddle 

Scholar, Embry Riddle University; 



Future plans: Will attend Embry 

Riddle University and major in aeronautical 

engineering. 

KRISTEN LEPPELL 

Scholarship, Tacoma Junior 

Assembly; Washington State 

Honors Award; Dean’s 

Scholarship, California Baptist 



Baptist University and study nursing. 

BENJAMIN LEWTAS 


Classified Association; Scholarship, 

UP Education Association 


College then pursue a four-year degree. 

KENNA LITTLE 

Willie Stewart Community Service 

Scholarship, United Way of Pierce 

County; DK Pearson Scholarship, 

Whitman College; Scholarship, 

West Tacoma Optimist Club; Outstanding 

Sports Medicine Award; 




Future plans: Will study Spanish and 

sports medicine at Whitman College. 

SANDY LUU 

Scholarship, UP Lion’s Club; Kaz 

Yamane Award, UP Kiwanis Club; 

Helen Myrick Honorary Scholarship, 

Greater Pierce County 

Community Network; Joe Thomas 

Memorial Scholarship 


Western Washington University. 

ERIKA MARTIN 


Outstanding Culminating Project 



Occidental College. 

JOHN MATTHEWS 



MITCHELL MAYERS 

Outstanding NJROTC Cadet 

Award 

Future plans: Plans to join the United 

States Marine Corps. 

DAVID MCCLAIN 

Navy ROTC Scholarship, University 

of Washington; Washington 

State Honors Award; Honor 

Graduate 

Future plans: Will study biochemistry 


JERALEE MCKASSON 

Pierce First! Scholarship, Pierce 

College 

RYAN MONAGHAN 

Outstanding Theater Participant 

Acting Award 

CHRISTOPHER MONTGOMERY 


Chancellors Scholarship, Saint 

Martins University; Honor 

Graduate 

Future plans: Will attend Saint 

Martins University and major in 

mechanical engineering. 

COLIN MOYER 


Youth Activist Scholarship, ACLU; 


Future plans: Will study law at 

Occidental College. 

KATEY NELSON 


President’s Scholarship, Western 

Washington University; Scholarship, 

UP Classified Association; 


Future plans: Will major in pre-med 


BENJAMIN NEYMAN 




JOSEPH NORTON 


Classified Association 

AUBREY PADUKIEWICZ 

Dean’s Scholar Award, Seattle 

Pacific University 


Pacific University. 

JOHN PAGEL 

John Lombino Award 


Community College. 

STEVEN PALIN 

Civic Leadership Program, Boise 

State University; Western Undergraduate 

Exchange Scholarship, 

Boise State University; Dambi 

Park Scholarship, UP Lion’s Club; 

Retired Women in Education 

Scholarship, Dr. Azella Taylor; 

Academic Achievement Award, 

Pacific Lutheran University 

Future plans: Will attend Boise State 

University and study broadcasting. 

ELISHA PARK 


Rotary Club; Washington State 

Honors Award; UniBank Scholarship, 

UniBank Corporation; Franciscan 

Healthcare Scholarship 

Franciscan Healthcare System; 

University Grant, Princeton 

University; Outstanding Orchestra 

Participant Award; Honor 

Graduate 

Future plans: Will attend Princeton 

University and major in biochemistry. 

JOO YOUNG PARK 


Korean Army Scholarship, 

General Park Nam Pyo; 

Scholarship, Tacoma Alliance 

Church; Honor Graduate 



BREANNA PARRAMORE 

Elizabeth Wesley Scholarship, 

Elizabeth Wesley Foundation; 

Scholarship, Model T Club 

Future plans: Will study cosmetology 

at Clover Park Technical College. 

KYLE PHILLIPS 

Athletic Scholarship, Edmonds 

Community College 

Future plans: Will attend Edmonds 

Community College and hopes to 

become a professional basketball player.

4 



CHRISTINA POLLEN 

Outstanding Sign Language Scholar 


College, then transfer to North Central 

University to study education. 

ALAENA PONCE 


Bernice A.B. Keyes Trust Scholarship; 




JOLEEN POWELL 


Future plans: Will major in biology at 


BRYAN PROSSER 



Choir Booster Club; Scholarship, 

UP Kiwanis Club; Viking Scholarship, 


Outstanding Choir Participant 


Future plans: Will attend Wake Forest 

University and study computer science. 

JESSICA PULLEN 



Alumni and Friends Scholarship, 

Brandeis University; Educational 

Opportunity Grant, Brandeis 


Future plans: Will attend Brandeis 

University and hopes to become a doctor 

with “Doctors without Borders.” 

JESSICA QUAN 

Stan Larsen Award, UP Kiwanis 

Club; Outstanding Yearbook 

Editor Award 

NAOMI RAHN 

Scholarship, Hal Jackson Talented 

Teens of Washington; Talented 

Teen Queen Scholarship, Hal 

Jackson; National Management 

Association Speech Contest Winner, 

Port of Seattle Chapter; National 

Management Association 

Speech Contest Winner, Bangor 

Chapter; Ms. Black Talented Teen 

USA of Washington Scholarship 

CHAD RASMUSSEN 

Athletic Basketball Scholarship, 

Tacoma Community College 


Community College. 

TAYLOR REYES 


Greg Paus Leadership Award, 

Viking Scholarship Committee 

MALIA ROBERTS-COPELAND 

Legacy Scholarship, Whitworth 

University; Heritage Scholarship, 

Whitworth University; Diversity 

Scholarship, Whitworth University; 



at Western Oregon University. 

DEAN RODGERS 

Army ROTC Scholarship, United 

States Army 

Future plans: Will attend Embry- 

Riddle University. 

GINGER ROGERS 

Out of State Opportunity Scholarship, 

Portland State University; 

Air Force ROTC Scholarship, 

Portland State University 

Future plans: Will attend Portland 

State University and become a physician’s 

assistant in the U.S. Air Force. 

ALEXIS RUSSELL 


Washington Award for Vocational 

Excellence Scholarship; Scholarship, 

Curtis High School PTSA; 

Admission with Distinction Scholarship, 

Western Washington 

University; Outstanding Sports 

Medicine Award; Honor Graduate 



JERHIME SANDERS 

MAC Scholar 

Future plans: Will attend UC - Santa 

Barbara. 

KELLY SASS 

Outstanding Physical Education 

Award 



EMILY SCOTT 

Ray Beard Award, Honor 

Graduate 


Community College then four-year 

university to study architecture. 





HEATHER SCOTT 


President’s Scholarship, BYU; 




Future plans: Will attend Brigham 

Young University and study business. 

CHRISTEN SEYMOUR 

University Scholarship, Pacific 

University; Wildcat Merit Award, 

Central Washington University; 

Deputy Ken Moran and Deputy 

John Bananola Memorial Scholarship; 

Angie Franklin Memorial 

Scholarship 

SAMANTHA SHAGREN 





SHAINA SHEPHERD 

Clare Lupa Scholarship, Oklahoma 

City University; Outstanding 

Theater Participant Acting Award 

Future plans: Will attend Oklahoma 

City University. 

BREANNA SINGLETON 

Outstanding Photography Award 


Community College then transfer to 

Cornish College of the Arts. 

TYLER SMELT 

National Merit Scholarship, 

National Merit Scholarship 

Corporation; Washington State 

Honors Award; Scholarship, UP 

Kiwanis Club; Harvey Mudd Merit 

Scholarship, Harvey Mudd College; 




Future plans: Will attend Harvey 

Mudd College and major in aerospace 

engineering. 

MICHAEL SMITH 

MAC Scholar; Outstanding Social 

Studies Scholar; Honor Graduate 


Community College, then go on to 

study business and law. 

ELEANOR SON 


Steinhardt Scholarship, New York 

University Steinhardt School of 

Culture, Education and Human 

Development; Outstanding 

Yearbook Editor Award; Honor 

Graduate 

Future plans: Will attend New York 

University and major in childhood 

education and administration. 

KATRINA STAHL 


Outstanding French Language 

Scholar; Honor Graduate 

Future plans: Will study culinary arts 

at the Culinary Institute of America. 

KAYLA STEWART 


Future plans: Will major in music 

business at Berklee College of Music. 

DANIEL STOCKDALE 




Choir Booster Club; Academic 

Scholarship, Azusa Pacific University; 

Music Scholarship, Azusa 

Pacific University; Outstanding 

Physical Education Award; Honor 

Graduate 

Future plans: Will attend Azusa 

Pacific University and major in commercial 

music. 

SARAH SWEARINGEN 


Outstanding Psychology Award, 



at Pacific Lutheran University. 

KALLI SWOFFORD 

Artistic Excellence Award 

Future plans: Will attend Santa 

Barbara City College and study either 

physical therapy or fashion design. 

DEVIN SYROVATKA 

International Longshoreman 

Workers Union Retirees Scholarship, 

ILWU Local 23; Outstanding 

Marketing Education Award 


University of British Columbia and 

major in international business. 

ALICIA TAYLOR 

Outstanding Business Award 




JOHN TAYLOR 

National Merit Scholarship, National 

Merit Scholarship Corporation; 

Higher Education Coordinating 

Board Legislative District 

#28 Washington Scholar; Bill 

Doucette Memorial Scholarship, 


Outstanding Math Scholar; Outstanding 

Orchestra Participant 

Award; Washington State Honors 

Award; Washington State Principals’ 



Future plans: Will study neuroscience 

at Yale University. 

LUKE TAYLOR 

Outstanding English Scholar, 



Community College then continue on 

to study marine biology. 

SAMANTHA TEIGEN 



Future plans: Will study business at 


ALINA TIGINYANU 


Future plans: Will study cosmetology 

at Clover Park Technical College. 

CHLOE TRELEVEN 

Athletic Track Scholarship, 

University of San Francisco; Pfizer 

Epilepsy Scholarship, Epilepsy 

Foundation; Honor Graduate 

Future plans: Will major in exercise 

science and nutrition at the University 

of San Francisco. 

DEREK VAN ESSEN 

Scholarship, California Lutheran 



Lutheran University. 

CAROLINE VANDIVER 

Scholarship, Tacoma Junior Assembly; 

Washington State Honors 

Award; Regents Merit Scholarship, 

California Lutheran University; 

Deans Award, California Lutheran 

University; Washington State Principals’ 




at California Lutheran University. 

VICTORIA WARSHAW 





CHASE WHITENER 

Outstanding Business Award 

Future plans: Will attend South Puget 

Sound Community College. 

JAY WIGBOLDY JR. 

Grand Canyon Singers Scholarship, 

Grand Canyon University 

Future plans: Will attend Grand 

Canyon University. 

KELLY WILCOX 


Lion’s Club 



AUSTIN WILLIAMS 



Award; Willamette Merit Scholarship, 

Willamette University; 



at Willamette University. 

DYLAN WILMOTT 

Jim Baurichter PBA Scholarship 

CALEY WISEMAN 

Women’s Soccer Scholarship, 

Saint Martin’s University; President’s 

Scholarship, Saint Martin’s 


Future plans: Will attend Saint 

Martin’s University and study civil 

engineering and French. 


TESS YANISCH 


Washington State Honors 

Award; Scholarship, University 

Place Kiwanis Club; John F. Oberlin 

Scholarship, Oberlin College; 

National Merit Scholarship, Oberlin 

College; Outstanding English 

Scholar; Washington State Principals’ 



Future plans: Will major in sociology 

at Oberlin College. 

JAMISON YERGLER 

Academic Scholarship, Notre 

Dame De Namur 

Future plans: Will attend Notre Dame 


CHANG YOO 



Award; Unibank Scholarship, 

Unibank; Honor Graduate 

Future plans: Will major in aeronautical 

and astronautical engineering at 


GRACE YOUN 



Trustee’s Scholarship, University 

of Puget Sound; Music Scholarship, 

University of Puget Sound; 

Outstanding Orchestra Participant 

Award; Outstanding Culminating 

Project Award; Honor 

Graduate 

Future plans: Will major in violin 

performance and business at the 

University of Puget Sound. 

DAVIS YOUNG 


YULIYA ZISKINA 


Outstanding Social Studies 

Scholar; Washington State 

Principals’ Award for Academic 


Future plans: Will study law and 

political science at the University of 

Washington. 

Additional copies of this issue of the Dialog newsletter 

are available at the district office front desk.

5 

University Place School District Salutes the 

Curtis High School Class of 2009 

Melanie Abbott 

Brandon Adams 

Sadaf Ahmad 

Jordan Allen 

Katherine Allen 

Saddam Alsinai 

Kwabena Amoah-Forson 

Evan Anderson 

Kyle Anderson 

Alissa Andrews 

Abigail Atanasio 

Arash Aulakh 

Jeremiah Banez 

Madel Sharriz Basconcillo 

Christopher Bastien 

Madison Bates 

James Beach 

Larry Beausoleil II 

Blasina Bel 

Chad Benson 

Lauren Berg 

Henry Berrey 

Armando Best 

Sarah Betteridge 

Michael Birlenbach 

Julianne Bishop 

Kellie Blair 

Shawn Blaisdell 

Sidney Blubaugh 

Cory Boedecker 

Katelyn Boettner 

Erica Boling 

Brenna Bream 

Jonathan Brisky 

Aaron Brooks 

Whitley Brooks 

Aubrey Brown 

Jordyn Brown 

Robert Bryant 

Quinn Brydson 

Jean Therese Buhat 

Courtney Bunch 

Nicholas Burns 

Antonio Caldwell 

Morgan Camacho 

Gladys Camilo 

Britni Canada 

Daniel Canavan-Gosling 

Amanda Cardon 

Megan Carini 

Jessika Carlstrom 

Landon Carr 

Konrad Carter 

Jacquelyn Casper 

Ben Cassidy 

Devin Cavanagh 

Suzie Chambers 

Thomas Chang 

William Chew 

Grace Cho 

Angela Choe 

Dayoung Choi 

Steve Choi 

Hajoon Chong 

Carley Christianson 

Jinho Chu 

Ryan Church 

Kimberlee Clark 

Pe'a Coen 

Devon Colman 

Towyne Condoll 

Thomas Conger 

Blaine Conzatti 

Kenneth Cook 

Nicole Cook 

Kelsy Coombs 

Jennifer Copeland 

Sydney Coyner 

Emilee Crank-Reynolds 

Doron Crawford 

Edilene Cuevas 

Patrick Culver 

Crystal Curley 

Nicholas Curry 

Michael Davis 

Minh Dawkins 

Andrea Deering 

Conor Dempsey 

Aleksey Deshkin 

Jasmine Deveaux 

Eliseo Diaz 

Adam Dickinson 

Thaddeus Dickinson 

Race Diloreto 

Maria Dogero 

Marquise Doss 

Ronald Dudley II 

Auston Duncan 

Bradley Dupea 

Jordan Eagle 

Mark Elling 

Tyrome Ellis 

Christopher Emery 

Nicole Enslow 

Megan Ernst 

Jamie Escobar 

Michael Estalilla 

Andrew Falk 

Nichole Fast 

Austin Flath 

Bryce Floyd 

Andrew Frisina 

Alexa Fry 

Carissa Gallagher 

Peter Gallagher 

DeVonte' Garcia 

Rachelle Gard 

Samantha Gardner 

Nathan Garlock 

Amanda Gatlin 

Tia Gaylord 

Daniel Gessel 

Andrea Geubelle 

Joshua Gibson 

Jacquelyn Gillis 

Charles Gilmur 

Victoria Glenn 

Madison Goertz 

Kevin Gollihur 

Kevin Gramling-Korba 

Valyn Grant 

Jennie Griffin 

Shawna Grinde 

Emilia Gryc 

Christopher Gunnels 

Sarah Hall 

Sarah Harmon 

Lindsey Harper 

Matthew Harper 

Rosie Harry 

Jennifer Hartman 

Erika Hathaway 

Samuel Hauser 

Kevin Hays 

Rachel Hays 

Joseph Heard 

Kevin Hedglin 

Chelsea Hemming 

Anne Hersey 

Carter Hersey 

Thomas Hert 

Chelsa Hicks 

Terrence Hill 

Jacob Hixson 

Hanna Ho 

Katelyn Hoffman 

Joy Hollis 

Alexei Holmquist 

Valerie Hoover 

Andrea Hudson 

Rebekah Hudson 

Jordan Hunter 

Daniel Hupp 

Yun Hwang 

Mi Hyun 

Ellis Ishem 

Jeffrey Ito 

Olga Ivanova 

Tyler Ivey 

Marcus Jackman 

Jesse James 

JoAnn Jennings 

Jasmine Jerome 

Manal Jmaileh 

Austin Johnsen 

Garrett Johnson 

Joseph Johnson 

Katerina Johnson 

Andre' Johnson II 

Atalia Jones 

Eui Gyu Jung 

Camarin Kadekawa 

Inhwa Kang 

Michelle Kang 

Anna Kasper 

Tess Kearney 

Lacey Keel 

Kyle Kerby 

Andre Keys 

Alexander Kim 

Dahong Kim 

Daniel Kim 

Hyun Kim 

Hyun Soo Kim 

Jong Kim 

Kyu Kim 

Soo Kim 

Harriet Kimbowa 

Jaslyn Kinsey 

Amanda Kleber-Gerrity 

Esther Kolkman 

Lauren Koontz 

Stanley Langlow 

Jessica Larsen 

Kimberly Latschaw 

Trevor Laugen 

Jamie Lawrence 

Trista Leahy 

Banghee Lee 

Brian Lee 

Brian Lee 

Caroline Lee 

Daniel Lee 

Hana Lee 

Julia Lee 

Sara Lee 

Dmitri Legcun 

Ariel Lehmann 

Kristen Leppell 

Benjamin Lewtas 

Kevin Liddle II 

Blair Lindberg 

Kenna Little 

Ryan Luther-Devine 

Sandy Luu 

Richard Marker 

Tyler Marten 

Erika Martin 

John Matthews 

Mitchell Mayers 

David McClain 

Jeralee McKasson 

Amanda Medina 

Leo Melendez-Planadeball 

Brian Mendiola 

Jordan Miller 

Ryan Monaghan 

Christopher Montgomery 

Colin Moyer 

Taylor Mozzone 

Qadeera Muhammad 

Justin Mukai 

Oscar Navarro 

Ashley Nelson 

Katey Nelson 

Benjamin Neyman 

Taylor Noland 

Joseph Norton 

Kevin Olejnik 

Jonathan Olson 

Learon Orange-Givens 

Alexis Overly 

Gweon Pa'u 

Aubrey Padukiewicz 

Edchill Paez 

John Pagel 

Katherine Painter 

Steven Palin 

Siri Pallesen 

Kevin Palmer 

Dambi Park 

Elisha Park 

Joo Young Park 

Fiona Parker 

Breanna Parramore 

Ayanna Pasha 

Kelsey Patten 

Alexandra Perovich 

Rachael Perry 

Devinn Phillips 

Kasara Phillips 

Kyle Phillips 

Rachael Phua 

Alexandra Piccini 

Christina Pollen 

Alaena Marie Ponce 

Ryan Pong 

Joleen Powell 

Bryan Prosser 

Rebecca Prudden 

Tyrone Pugh 

Jessica Pullen 

Cody Quail 

Jessica Quan 

Brent Quitugua 

Ryan Rachal 

Dominique Radke-Ellis 

Naomi Rahn 

Tomas Ramirez 

Chad Rasmussen 

Brant Raynor 

Taylor Reyes 

Andrew Richards 

Andrew Richardson 

Stephanie Richardson 

Heather Richter 

Nicolette Riley 

Brianna Ritchie 

Jessica Roberson 

Julien Robert 

Malia Roberts-Copeland 

Dean Rodgers 

Ginger Rogers 

Amber Rosenberg 

Loredana Rosenberg 

Yuliya Rudenko 

Christopher Rushing 

Alexis Russell 

Jonathan Rutledge 

Matthew Ryan 

Alicia Ryant 

Alyssa Sagers 

Seth Salts 

Kareem Samy 

Jerhime Sanders 

Stephanie Sanders 

Robin Sanks 

Kelly Sass 

Cort Schatz 

Emily Scott 

Geneva Scott 

Heather Scott 

Tawni Seal-Pulicicchio 

Christen Seymour 

Kristy Shaffer 

Samantha Shagren 

Caitlin Shaw 

Kendra Shelton 

Shaina Shepherd 

Tyler Sherman 

Dalton Shirk 

Ryann Shirreff 

William Shuckhart 

Nathan Simard 

Nicole Simmons 

Emily Simpson 

Breanna Singleton 

Tanner Siridakis 

Allie Sisson 

Tyler Smelt 

Aryka Smith 

Collin Smith 

Michael Smith 

Tyler Smith 

Vanessa Smith 

Nichole Smurro 

Eleanor Son 

Camellia Sondocie 

Jin Song 

Katrina Stahl 

Michael Stalter 

Kayla Stewart 

Ashlee Stine 

Daniel Stockdale 

Anthony Stone 

Sarah Swearingen 

Kalli Swofford 

Devin Syrovatka 

Alicia Taylor 

John Mark Taylor 

Lauren Taylor 

Luke Taylor 

Breahnna Teets 

Samantha Teigen 

Robert Thacker 

Alexi Thorn 

Alina Tiginyanu 

Phillip Tillman 

Andrew Tjhung 

Chloe Treleven 

Brandon Trip 

Amy Tuttle 

Vanessa Ulloa 

Derek Van Essen 

Caroline Vandiver 

Kyle Veenstra 

Jeremy Vinson 

Katelynn Wagner 

Andrea Waiters 

Jeremy Ware 

Victoria Warshaw 

Daniel Webster 

Elizabeth Webster 

Jennifer Wee 

Samuel Wells 

Scott Westwick 

Chase Whitener 

Sarah Whitesell 

Leilani Wick 

Jay Wigboldy Jr. 

Kelly Wilcox 

Arielle Williams 

Austin Williams 

Darnell Williams 

Owen Williams 

Shani Williams 

Dylan Wilmott 

Stefanie Wilson 

Kathryn Winchell 

Brandon Wirth 

Caley Wiseman 

Alexa Wisor 

Jacob Wissman 

Joshua Wriggle 

Edward Yang 

Tess Yanisch 

Jamison Yergler 

Hannah Yi 

Chang Yoo 

Grace Youn 

Davis Young 

Joseph Zemek 

Todd Zemlicka 

Sara Zielke 

Yuliya Ziskina

6 

Nicole Dobrinski Honored as UPSD Teacher of the Year 

Flattered, honored, 

excited, and completely 

surprised 

are the words popular 

ninth grade 

English teacher 

Nicole Dobrinski 

uses to describe how she felt when she 

learned that she had been chosen 

UPSD’s 2009 Teacher of the Year. “We 

all received this email about the 

superintendent coming to visit,” she 

said, “and I thought at first it was bad 

news. When we got to the teachers’ 

room, there were flowers and sweets— 

it looked pretty festive—and we soon 

learned that Patti Banks, Terry Pullen, 

and Andrew Eyres were there to present 

the teacher award to someone at 

the junior high. It still didn’t enter my 

mind that it could be me.” 

Dobrinski’s teaching career began 

at the age of 38 when one day her 

husband asked her if she could do 

Dialog 

The Dialog is published periodically 

by the University Place School District 

83, 3717 Grandview Dr. W., University 

Place, WA 98466, for University Place 

residents and businesses. The District 

complies with all federal laws, rules, 

and regulations and does not discriminate 

on the basis of race, color, national 

origin, gender, or disabilities in 

student education programs, cocurricular 

activities and employment 

practices. The District is an equal opportunity/affirmative 

action employer 

encouraging application of qualified 

minorities, women, and disabled 

persons for employment and other 

opportunities. For elevator access at a 

school site, contact the principal’s office. 

The UPSD is a drug-free and 

smoke-free workplace and educational 

setting. Direct inquiries regarding 

compliance, grievance, or appeal procedures 

related to District title IX, Affirmative 

Action, or Section 504 of 

the ADA should be directed to Terry 

Pullen, Deputy Superintendent, at 

566-5600. 

Board of Directors 

Mary Lu Dickinson, president 

Kent Keel, vice president 

Ray Tennison, legislative representative 

Paul Koppe 

Rick Maloney 

Patti Banks, superintendent 

anything professionally, what would it 

be. “I told him I’d really like to be a 

teacher,” she recalled. “At the time, it 

seemed like an unrealistic goal since I 

had full time responsibilities as a parent 

in a blended family of five children, 

including a severely handicapped 

child. But my husband gave 

me his full support and my children’s 

enthusiasm made it all possible.” She 

received her associate’s degree at 

Pierce College, completed her teaching 

degree at St. Martins College in 

Lacey in record time, and did her student 

teaching at Drum Intermediate, 

where she was also a part-time playground 

supervisor. She soon realized 

that UPSD was a very special place. 

Excerpts from Commencement Addresses 

Continued from page 1 

Hammond 

from year to year. I did not truly 

understand the concept until this 

year. You will always hold a special 

place in my heart, as you are the first 

group of students that I have navigated 

through Curtis High School. We 

made it together. 

Now you are about to spread your 

wings, and physically leave our buildings. 

While you are out there making 

your mark on the world, know that 

you will always remain a member of 

the very special community of University 

Place and you will always be a 

member of the Curtis Vikings family. 

We are proud to call each and every 

one of you one of our own. It has 

been our pleasure and a privilege to 

know you, and we all wish you the best 

as you continue on your journey. 

Dodge 

success can be measured in wealth, 

material and prestige…we have 

recently witnessed where that may 

take us. Instead, life fulfillment is 

about doing what you enjoy. Find 

something that truly calls you and 

makes you whole. It may take time, 

but once you do, the rest of your life 

will be easy. 

There is a sign in my room that 

contains two words and seven letters. 

It is a quote from President Calvin 

Coolidge, who believed it was the key 

to all of life’s challenges. He said, 

“Press on.” No matter what life brings 

you, you must always…press on. Instead 

of giving up when life becomes 

Three years ago she was thrilled to get 

a full-time teaching job at Curtis 

Junior High. Although she drives in 

from Olympia every day, she doesn’t 

mind the commute at all. “The teachers 

here are all so committed to excellent 

teaching and inspiring students 

to do their best,” she says. 

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, 

Dobrinski started and advises 

a club called Builder’s Club, which 

plans and performs public service 

activities around the community. “This 

past year our 100 members spent 

more than 1,200 hours working in the 

community helping people,” she said. 

“Helping each other is a life skill I 

think is so important. The motto of 

difficult, keep going, keep fighting… 

and press on. 

Lastly, embrace your family. I am 

sure that you have some amazing 

memories of times spent with those 

around you tonight. But remember 

that your friends may come and go, 

but your family will always be there to 

support and love you unconditionally. 

I have the greatest job in the world 

because I get to interact with the future 

every single day. The way I see it, 

you are a great future. To the George 

R. Curtis class of 2009—go get life, be 

happy in what you do, and—press on. 

Mukai 

shape our character and to teach us 

integrity. This community of people 

has shaped who we are as young 

adults going out into the world. It is as 

if we were young adult fish ready to 

explore the world of the deep sea. We 

leave our small pond behind and even 

though we part in different directions, 

swim down different rivers, and meet 

other fish along the way, you’ll always 

remember where you came from. So 

when you’re out there in the big blue 

sea finding a cure for cancer, a treatment 

for Parkinson’s disease, creating 

a new energy source, or even climbing 

Mount Everest….whatever you end up 

doing… always remember this community 

built the foundation of who 

you have become. This is why we will 

forever be linked. I hope we will be 

able to celebrate our successes together 

and also have the courage to share 

our despairs, rely on each other, and 

mentor those who follow us. 

our club is ‘be the change you want to 

see in the world’.” 

When asked what makes a good 

teacher, Dobrinski replied, “I believe 

good teachers teach with their heads 

and their hearts. You encourage active 

thinking and convey that every single 

student is capable. Young adults don’t 

always intuitively know that they matter. 

I’m not afraid to share my experiences 

and the ways I have dealt with 

life’s unexpected issues. Life is challenging,” 

she says, “but in addition to 

teaching them about great literature 

and how to write a well-structured 

essay, I want them to learn that anything 

is possible when you have passion 

and perseverance.” 

I think you’ll agree that our senior 

year was beyond incredible. But to be 

honest, when I think of my friends, I 

feel a little sadness. I am sad because 

as much as I want us to stay close forever, 

in reality, I know that some of 

the faces I see before me, I may never 

see again…even those of you who I’ve 

known for the past 13 years. 

So I leave you with a few words of 

wisdom. Drink, swear, steal, and lie. 

Drink lots of water, because our bodies 

can last without food but we cannot 

last without water. Swear. Swear 

that you will stay in touch with your 

friends. Steal. Steal a moment out of 

your busy day to be kind to someone…just 

a little smile or a kind gesture. 

And finally lie. As you lie in your 

bed at night, think back and remember 

your childhood…remember these 

days…remember our friendships… 

remember our treasured experiences…remember 

and be thankful 

to our teachers, principals, administration 

and especially our families…we 

will forever be grateful for your 

patience, dedication, and commitment 

toward preparing us to take the 

next step. 

The American anthropologist Margaret 

Mead once said, “Never doubt 

that a small group of thoughtful and 

committed citizens can change the 

world. It’s the only thing that ever 

has.” Keep the faith, my fellow 

Vikings…faith is the substance of 

things hoped for…and the evidence 

of things not seen. 

I love you guys…thank you. 

Non-profit Org. 

U.S. POStage 

Paid 

tacoma, Wa 

Permit No. 411 

Educational Service Center 

3717 Grandview Dr. W. 

University Place WA 98466 

E C R W S S 

Time Dated: Deliver by July 8 

POSTAL CUSTOMER

July 2009 - University Place School District

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