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Serving Belfair - Allyn - Grapeview - Tahuya - Mason Lake - South Shore - Victor
rsday, March 18, 1999
Section of the Shelton-Mason County Journal
#
MSON
be clogged arterials,
a by-pass in Belfair,
are no heart troubles
people were "all
on aturday night at the
lnd Girls Club dinner and
Was the social event of the
arid a VERY successful
er for the Boys and Girls
second annual "Gifts
auction was held on
March 13, at the Admi-
in Bremerton. Ecstat-
Vaernber Dr. Brian Peter-
total income at
above even the goal
After expenses, the
met $109,000 of that
programs for the
anks to the gener-
nets $109,000
osity of many, many donors.
Several Boys and Girls Club
members were on hand to help
the adults with the many tasks
required to conduct a successful
event. The focus was always on
what the money would buy tbr the
kids, more than on the money or
the donors.
THE CLUB started in June
1998, and saw 841 members by
the end of the year. There was a
summer fun program held in
Shelton, and nearly 100 kids per
day coming after school to the
Belfair location.
Students learned ceramics and
photography, and used the club
van to go on 75 field trips for
bowling, to the science center, art
museums, and other events.
The high-school-age kids
formed a Keystone Club, and the
25 members contributed over
2,000 hours of service to the club
and the community. The middle
school kids formed two Torch
Clubs. They gave over 3,000
hours of service to the club and
the community.
Additionally, there were 27
participants in a drug and alcohol
awareness program, and 17 mem-
bers who participated in the
"Hands are Not for Hitting" anti-
domestic violence presentations.
They had over 300 people pledge
against violence as a result of see-
ing those presentations.
The income from the auction
will cover nearly half of the an-
nual operating budget, according
to smiling board member Tim
Wing.
i ¸
BOYS AND GIRLS Club Auction, clockwise from left: silent auction
table shoppers, Kellie Rodriguez singing, joyous B & G executive Dave
Ison and board member Brian Petersen, helpers Kayley McNamara and
Matt Speece, and auction chair Betty Wing in the center.
abound in North Mason
:ason students have
themselves artis-
and Girls Club auc-
contained four pages
each appearing in
COver was done by
sixth grader
The silent auction
Created by Breanna
is a third grader at
The live auc-
by Joshua Gou-
at Sand Hill
Finally, the special
page carried
Pf/u, a ninth
orth Mason High
Was based on the
enae, "Gifts from the
"!enaentary students
la the Smokey Bear-
lOSter Contest spon-
Washington State
'den Clubs and the
e.
WINNERS,
Tyler Fordind, Ja-
Scan Abbott and
made posters
Tyler Hoyt and
also were rec-
Brandan Hannock, Brandon Des-
sart, Anna Heitstuman, David
McConnell, Lonnie Hoover,
Michael Durbin, Lacey Griffin,
Justin Shellgren, Rebecca Gifford,
Ashley Barnett and Michael Rit-
zel.
First graders at Belfair Ele-
mentary who made Woodsy Owl
posters included winners Candace
Eastman and Jami Stutz. Also
recognized was Micah Nelson.
FIRST GRADERS who made
Smokey Bear posters were the fol-
lowing winners, in order: Marissa
Davidson-Guy, Ryan Kuhn,
Katelyn Kaye and Rylie Pugh.
Certificates of appreciation went
to first graders Sam Newman,
Heidi Bonn, Joe Nys, Brittany
Wood, Austin Hansen, Jacy
Schwab, Shawna Rinehart, Cam-
eron Eacrett, Cooper Thompson,
Megan Weatherwax, Robert Van-
dling and Anthony Eagan.
Sand Hill Elementary has an-
nounced the winners in their
Bookmark Contest entitled "For
the Love of Reading." School li-
brarian Mrs. Cassidy said,
"Thanks for all the great entries
in this year's Bookmark Contest.
It was really tough to pick
winners."
Kindergarten and first grade
winners, in order, were Brigid
Lohman, Fred Thaves, Devan Ho-
skins and Erik McCullough.
Second and third graders who
designed bookmarks finished in
the following order: Nicholas Auz-
ston, Marissa Stevenson, Ramona
Lohman and Ashton Alexander.
Fourth through sixth grade
winners were artists Jennifer
Woodland, Morgan Rutter, Chris
Cooper and Kevin Blackwell.
graders who made
posters placed in
Erika Vandling,
azel, Ben Jensen,
fair Elementary third
:°gnized for their
were: Kylee
g, Brenna
ed Rinehart, Kyra
Bell, Angeli-
I(atelyn Stanley,
THESE TWO ARTISTS made award-winning posters.
Third graders Tyler Fordind and Erika Vandling hold
their work. Behind them are two members of the Ever°
green Garden Club: Tammy Byerly and Linda Britt.
honor roll announced
School has re-
or roll tbr the first
year.
graders received an
point average.
Allen, Christi-
DeGracia III,
Fatemeh Fakh-
us, Lisa
Tiffany McDon-
Andrew Peter-
a Yantis.
Joining them on the 7th grade
honor roll with a 3.2 or higher
grade point average are: Joshua
Baker, Leanne Baker, Autumn
Bergeson, Michael Blair, Shana
Blake, Aaron Brendehl, Skyler
Brittner, David Burmaster, Jessi-
ca Caubre, Shaydon Clinders,
Chelsea Christensen, Noah Cof-
fin, Crystal Ann Cole, Brianna
Cook, Rian Creighton, Jannae
Criss, and Amanda Curtis.
Other 7th grade honor roll
members are Carolyn Dixon,
Brian Fry, Emma Fry, Joshua
Fullington, Carmen Garcia, Jo-
seph Gastineau, Angelina Geraci,
Rachel Gibson, Joshua Graham,
Kristina Gundersen, Destanie
Hackiewicz, Stacie Henden,
Christine Horton, Kristen How-
ard, and Brett Hultberg.
Joining the list are Sarah Is-
(Please turn to page 3.)
Student. suggestions no 'Fluke'
YhelF1A:HOMSOiNon of Ever h:Yaser:d2:::gnlde:hl poftehs; u;e::l:dntPrrs2::ttei:in:;,ia department.
Between the initial and final
ett has partnered with North Ma- areas of responsibility in a pre- a high-tech company, you visits to Everett, the two teams
son High School (NMHS) to assist
young adults in learning job skills
by allowing the students to work
with industry professionals. Five
NMHS students worked with the
Fluke team for the first time this
school year.
The physics students who par-
ticipated the first term were: Bree
Whybark, Aaron Hendrickson,
Willie Truemper, Eli Quinn and
Derrick Speaks.
Physics teacher Ed Koske, who
has a brother working for Fluke,
first came up with the concept,
then shared it with School-to-Ca-
reers Coordinator Leslie Nutt-
man. The two of them worked out
a proposal and visited the Everett
Company last summer.
"WHAT'S GREAT about this
program is it is a chance for stu-
dents to see the real world of
work in practice. A big company
like this is something that is not
available for them to see here in
Belfair," Nuttman said.
The Fluke Corporation was
founded by John Fluke, an inven-
tor who made the machine that
picks up bowling pins, Koske
said. The business then evolved
into an electronics company.
It is now the world leader in
the research and development of
hand-held multimeters, which are
used to measure electrical cur-
rent. Multimeters are used by
electricians, engineers, and by
homeowners checking their cur-
rent. The Fluke product is noted
for its portability and reliability,
Koske stated.
Each student became a spe-
cialist in one area as it related to
their project. Bree was team chair
and learned about business law,
Quinn and Hendrickson did the
engineering component of the
project, and Speaks and Truemp-
er became experts in marketing.
WHEN THE STUDENTS
met with the Fluke team to which
sentation. They gave the kids
sample ideas to work on, and they
had to solve their chosen problem
with ingenuity, creativity and
teamwork, Koske said.
Both Koske and Nuttman indi-
cated the teamwork was the big-
gest challenge to these students.
"These are all bright, articulate,
independent students who are
very self-assured," Nuttman said.
That was the difficulty. They had
to set aside their individual ideas
and goals for the common good.
This involved compromise.
According to Koske, they did
not always function well as a
team, but other times they really
produced. "It functioned just like
real teams do in industry," he
said. Once they set aside their
personal agendas, they were able
to get the job done.
The students surveyed the Ma-
son and Kitsap County area busi-
ness community, especially peo-
ple who might use a multimeter.
They sent out 100 surveys, get-
ting a 20-percent response.
THE STUDENTS analyzed
one of the meters and made plans
for improving it, based on the in-
put from the area business folks.
As the team focused on limit-
ing its work, they came up with
three proposals:
--To upgrade the multimeter
by adding a lighted display, since
they are frequently used in the
dark with the power out, and si-
multaneously holding a flashlight
can be awkward;
--To add a battery power level
display, which they referred to as
kind of a "gas gauge;"
--To develop a clip-on back for
convenient access to batteries
without having to use a screw-
driver.
Before taking their findings
and proposals to Everett, the stu-
dents spent time with Nuttman
learning how to dress appro-
priately, and how to make acom-
shouldn't use charts or an over-
head projector to share ideas,"
Koske explained.
When they conducted their fi-
nal presentation before the pro-
fessionals, they shared the three
ideas. Two had previously been
addressed by the company. "The
third concept they looked at real
seriously, for it was an idea they
had not considered before," Koske
said. They were intrigued by the
clip-on back for their product.
DURING THE TEAM plan-
ning portion of the project, Quinn
had an idea which was not em-
braced by the team. Since he had
already established a connection
with the engineers, he chose to
pursue it on his own.
His proposal was for a remote
test lead to take voltage measure-
ments without being connected to
the electric wire. This would be
for both safety and ease of use, he
indicated. Quinn drew the sche-
matics and made up a detailed
list of each piece of his proposed
product, and how it would work.
That idea has also been passed
along to the Fluke engineering
stayed in contact primarily by
e-mail.
NUTTMAN INDICATED
her excitement in seeing these
kids talk with people and find out
the skills that are important for
success if they hope to find work
in that type of job. "They have be-
gun to develop skills such as
teamwork, meeting deadlines,
and being flexible with new input,
that are important anywhere,"
she said.
"I hope this will be a model for
future partnerships," said Nutt-
man. "Kids need to know what
the world outside of Belfair looks
like before planning for their
future."
She saw the value in the proj-
ect for the company, as well. Most
of them had not been in a public
school in years, and this gave
them an opportunity to "see edu-
cation as it really is, and to work
in unison with educators to im-
prove it through various means."
This project was jointly funded
by the North Mason School Dis-
trict and the Washington Educa-
tion Association.
THE PHYSICS students who did a project with the
Fluke Company are Bree Whybark, Aaron Hendrickson,
Derrick Speaks and Eli Quinn. Not pictured is Willie
Truemper.
Firefighters climb stairs
to benefit leukemia
By LINDA THOMSON
Six members of Fire District 2
in Belfair will be participating in
the eighth annual Safeco Fire-
fighter Challenge on Sunday,
March 21, in Seattle. The event is
a fund-raiser for the Leukemia
Society of America (LSA).
Team captain Lieutenant Andy
Graham said he, Firefighter Lau-
ra Grayum, Lieutenant Keith
Langhorn, and Firefighter Taska
Gibson are all experienced at the
event and look forward to tack-
ling it again this year. New to the
gruelling competition will be fire-
fighters Ben Sande and Ryan
Cloud.
They will don full firefighting
gear and climb the stairs of the
69-floor Columbia Seafirst Cen-
ter. They are required to wear
their boots, pants, coats (with the
liners intact), helmet, and gloves.
THEY MUST HAVE their
breathing apparatus on and in
use at all times. Participants will
change air bottles on the 40th
floor, and must still be breathing
from the air bottle on the 69th
floor to successfully complete the
event.
The stated goals of the climb
are to "encourage a high level of
physical fitness among firefight-
ers, encourage friendly competi-
tion, foster camaraderie between
fire departments, shine a spot-
light on our profession and raise
money to help fight leukemia," ac-
cording to David Engler of the
Shoreline Fire Department.
Graham indicated he last did
the challenge two years ago. "I
had just been on vacation in the
12,000-foot-high Andes Moun-
tains, but I was still huffin' and
puffin' at the top," he said. "It's a
workout!"
The bunker gear doesn't
breathe, he explained, so a per-
son's body heat builds up and is
retained during the climb. The to-
tal ensemble weighs about 60
pounds.
THREE YEARS AGO, ac-
cording to Graham, one partiCip-
ant suffered cardiac arrest and
died. There will be paramedics
staged at several levels of the
building to evaluate participants
who look like they're having a
tough time.
All of the Belfair group have
been working out diligently in the
past couple of months. They have
entered this competition in honor
of Kevin Wolle, a youngster who
lives on the South Shore, and has
leukemia.
Laura Grayum puts in two
miles daily on the department
treadmill while wearing ankle
weights and the breathing appar-
atus, she said. This year's event
will be a special one for her, as
she just turned 40 years old. She
made it in 48 minutes two years
ago, she said.
Last year there were over 460
firefighters from 75 departments
who took the challenge. Dona-
tions to LSA of $64,000 went to
support research, patient aid,
public and professional education,
and community service. The $120
entry fee for the Belfair crew has
been paid by the International
Association of Firefighters, Local
3876.
TO SUPPORT THESE peo-
ple who are training for life-sav-
ing work in North Mason, you can
make out a check to the Leuke-
mia Society and drop it off at the
fire station on the Old Belfair
Highway. You may want to in-
dicate a specific firefighter for
credit on the donation, Graham
said.
FIREFIGHTER Laura Grayum works out at the Belfair
Fire Station as she prepares for the Safeco Firefighter
Challenge. Laura is part of a team of six from Belfair
who will participate while raising donations for the
Leukemia Society.
Theler Center offers spring classes
Mary E. Theler Community
Center offers a variety of spring
quarter classes beginning next
month.
Dog Obedience classes will
begin April 12 and run through
May 31. Classes will be held out-
doors in the Theler Day Park on
Thursday evenings from 6 to 7
p.m. The instructor will explain
various tools of the trade as well
as review the equipment list. If
you have equipment, bring it to
the first class but do not buy new
items until you have heard the
discussion at the first class.
You're also requested NOT to
bring dogs to the first class. The
instructor is Laura Veach. Class
fee is $35 plus a $3 registration
fee, payable to the instructor.
Pre-registration is required at the
Theler Center.
Beginning Computer class-
es will be held on Monday even-
ings from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the
North Mason High School Annex
beginning April 12 and ending
May 10.
Here, you can learn the basics
of a computer, like how to turn it
on, how to load software, practice
word processing and graphics,
and learn other programs as well.
No experience is necessary, says
instructor Art Wightman. You
will learn everything you need to
know to be a reasonably profi-
cient computer user.
The class fee is $55 with a $3
registration fee, payable to the in-
structor. Pre-registration is re-
quired at the Theler Center.
Karate classes will kick off at
the Theler Center, Conference
Room 1, on Mondays and Wed-
nesdays beginning next month.
Here, you can learn traditional
Shotokan karate from experi-
enced, certified black belt instruc-
tors John and Debra Risko. You
can learn to develop confidence,
coordination and discipline. For
more information on dates and
times, please call the instructors
at (360) 898-3680.
Kick Box and Step Aerob.
ics will be offered beginning next
month at the Theler Center.
Learn a variety of kicks and
punches aimed at improving car-
diovascular endurance and over-
all body training with certified in-
structor Andrea Heay. Kick box
aerobics is a low impact, fun
workout for the large muscle
groups. Step aerobics is an excel-
lent cardiovascular workout and
an outstanding lower body
strengthener, says Heay. Classes
are designed for all fitness levels.
Kick box aerobics will be held
on Tuesday evenings, 5:30 to
6:30. Step aerobics will be held on
Thursday evenings, 5:30 to 6:30.
Combination step and floor aero-
bic classes will be held on Satur-
day mornings, 10 to 11 a.m. All
kick box and step aerobics classes
will be held at the Theler Center,
Conference Room 1. Fee is $2.50
per class paid to the instructor,
plus the $3 registration fee. Reg-
ister at the Theler Community
Center office.
For information on starting
dates for these events, please con-
tact Janis McNeal at the Theler
Center, 275-4898.
Serving Belfair - Allyn - Grapeview - Tahuya - Mason Lake - South Shore - Victor
rsday, March 18, 1999
Section of the Shelton-Mason County Journal
#
MSON
be clogged arterials,
a by-pass in Belfair,
are no heart troubles
people were "all
on aturday night at the
lnd Girls Club dinner and
Was the social event of the
arid a VERY successful
er for the Boys and Girls
second annual "Gifts
auction was held on
March 13, at the Admi-
in Bremerton. Ecstat-
Vaernber Dr. Brian Peter-
total income at
above even the goal
After expenses, the
met $109,000 of that
programs for the
anks to the gener-
nets $109,000
osity of many, many donors.
Several Boys and Girls Club
members were on hand to help
the adults with the many tasks
required to conduct a successful
event. The focus was always on
what the money would buy tbr the
kids, more than on the money or
the donors.
THE CLUB started in June
1998, and saw 841 members by
the end of the year. There was a
summer fun program held in
Shelton, and nearly 100 kids per
day coming after school to the
Belfair location.
Students learned ceramics and
photography, and used the club
van to go on 75 field trips for
bowling, to the science center, art
museums, and other events.
The high-school-age kids
formed a Keystone Club, and the
25 members contributed over
2,000 hours of service to the club
and the community. The middle
school kids formed two Torch
Clubs. They gave over 3,000
hours of service to the club and
the community.
Additionally, there were 27
participants in a drug and alcohol
awareness program, and 17 mem-
bers who participated in the
"Hands are Not for Hitting" anti-
domestic violence presentations.
They had over 300 people pledge
against violence as a result of see-
ing those presentations.
The income from the auction
will cover nearly half of the an-
nual operating budget, according
to smiling board member Tim
Wing.
i ¸
BOYS AND GIRLS Club Auction, clockwise from left: silent auction
table shoppers, Kellie Rodriguez singing, joyous B & G executive Dave
Ison and board member Brian Petersen, helpers Kayley McNamara and
Matt Speece, and auction chair Betty Wing in the center.
abound in North Mason
:ason students have
themselves artis-
and Girls Club auc-
contained four pages
each appearing in
COver was done by
sixth grader
The silent auction
Created by Breanna
is a third grader at
The live auc-
by Joshua Gou-
at Sand Hill
Finally, the special
page carried
Pf/u, a ninth
orth Mason High
Was based on the
enae, "Gifts from the
"!enaentary students
la the Smokey Bear-
lOSter Contest spon-
Washington State
'den Clubs and the
e.
WINNERS,
Tyler Fordind, Ja-
Scan Abbott and
made posters
Tyler Hoyt and
also were rec-
Brandan Hannock, Brandon Des-
sart, Anna Heitstuman, David
McConnell, Lonnie Hoover,
Michael Durbin, Lacey Griffin,
Justin Shellgren, Rebecca Gifford,
Ashley Barnett and Michael Rit-
zel.
First graders at Belfair Ele-
mentary who made Woodsy Owl
posters included winners Candace
Eastman and Jami Stutz. Also
recognized was Micah Nelson.
FIRST GRADERS who made
Smokey Bear posters were the fol-
lowing winners, in order: Marissa
Davidson-Guy, Ryan Kuhn,
Katelyn Kaye and Rylie Pugh.
Certificates of appreciation went
to first graders Sam Newman,
Heidi Bonn, Joe Nys, Brittany
Wood, Austin Hansen, Jacy
Schwab, Shawna Rinehart, Cam-
eron Eacrett, Cooper Thompson,
Megan Weatherwax, Robert Van-
dling and Anthony Eagan.
Sand Hill Elementary has an-
nounced the winners in their
Bookmark Contest entitled "For
the Love of Reading." School li-
brarian Mrs. Cassidy said,
"Thanks for all the great entries
in this year's Bookmark Contest.
It was really tough to pick
winners."
Kindergarten and first grade
winners, in order, were Brigid
Lohman, Fred Thaves, Devan Ho-
skins and Erik McCullough.
Second and third graders who
designed bookmarks finished in
the following order: Nicholas Auz-
ston, Marissa Stevenson, Ramona
Lohman and Ashton Alexander.
Fourth through sixth grade
winners were artists Jennifer
Woodland, Morgan Rutter, Chris
Cooper and Kevin Blackwell.
graders who made
posters placed in
Erika Vandling,
azel, Ben Jensen,
fair Elementary third
:°gnized for their
were: Kylee
g, Brenna
ed Rinehart, Kyra
Bell, Angeli-
I(atelyn Stanley,
THESE TWO ARTISTS made award-winning posters.
Third graders Tyler Fordind and Erika Vandling hold
their work. Behind them are two members of the Ever°
green Garden Club: Tammy Byerly and Linda Britt.
honor roll announced
School has re-
or roll tbr the first
year.
graders received an
point average.
Allen, Christi-
DeGracia III,
Fatemeh Fakh-
us, Lisa
Tiffany McDon-
Andrew Peter-
a Yantis.
Joining them on the 7th grade
honor roll with a 3.2 or higher
grade point average are: Joshua
Baker, Leanne Baker, Autumn
Bergeson, Michael Blair, Shana
Blake, Aaron Brendehl, Skyler
Brittner, David Burmaster, Jessi-
ca Caubre, Shaydon Clinders,
Chelsea Christensen, Noah Cof-
fin, Crystal Ann Cole, Brianna
Cook, Rian Creighton, Jannae
Criss, and Amanda Curtis.
Other 7th grade honor roll
members are Carolyn Dixon,
Brian Fry, Emma Fry, Joshua
Fullington, Carmen Garcia, Jo-
seph Gastineau, Angelina Geraci,
Rachel Gibson, Joshua Graham,
Kristina Gundersen, Destanie
Hackiewicz, Stacie Henden,
Christine Horton, Kristen How-
ard, and Brett Hultberg.
Joining the list are Sarah Is-
(Please turn to page 3.)
Student. suggestions no 'Fluke'
YhelF1A:HOMSOiNon of Ever h:Yaser:d2:::gnlde:hl poftehs; u;e::l:dntPrrs2::ttei:in:;,ia department.
Between the initial and final
ett has partnered with North Ma- areas of responsibility in a pre- a high-tech company, you visits to Everett, the two teams
son High School (NMHS) to assist
young adults in learning job skills
by allowing the students to work
with industry professionals. Five
NMHS students worked with the
Fluke team for the first time this
school year.
The physics students who par-
ticipated the first term were: Bree
Whybark, Aaron Hendrickson,
Willie Truemper, Eli Quinn and
Derrick Speaks.
Physics teacher Ed Koske, who
has a brother working for Fluke,
first came up with the concept,
then shared it with School-to-Ca-
reers Coordinator Leslie Nutt-
man. The two of them worked out
a proposal and visited the Everett
Company last summer.
"WHAT'S GREAT about this
program is it is a chance for stu-
dents to see the real world of
work in practice. A big company
like this is something that is not
available for them to see here in
Belfair," Nuttman said.
The Fluke Corporation was
founded by John Fluke, an inven-
tor who made the machine that
picks up bowling pins, Koske
said. The business then evolved
into an electronics company.
It is now the world leader in
the research and development of
hand-held multimeters, which are
used to measure electrical cur-
rent. Multimeters are used by
electricians, engineers, and by
homeowners checking their cur-
rent. The Fluke product is noted
for its portability and reliability,
Koske stated.
Each student became a spe-
cialist in one area as it related to
their project. Bree was team chair
and learned about business law,
Quinn and Hendrickson did the
engineering component of the
project, and Speaks and Truemp-
er became experts in marketing.
WHEN THE STUDENTS
met with the Fluke team to which
sentation. They gave the kids
sample ideas to work on, and they
had to solve their chosen problem
with ingenuity, creativity and
teamwork, Koske said.
Both Koske and Nuttman indi-
cated the teamwork was the big-
gest challenge to these students.
"These are all bright, articulate,
independent students who are
very self-assured," Nuttman said.
That was the difficulty. They had
to set aside their individual ideas
and goals for the common good.
This involved compromise.
According to Koske, they did
not always function well as a
team, but other times they really
produced. "It functioned just like
real teams do in industry," he
said. Once they set aside their
personal agendas, they were able
to get the job done.
The students surveyed the Ma-
son and Kitsap County area busi-
ness community, especially peo-
ple who might use a multimeter.
They sent out 100 surveys, get-
ting a 20-percent response.
THE STUDENTS analyzed
one of the meters and made plans
for improving it, based on the in-
put from the area business folks.
As the team focused on limit-
ing its work, they came up with
three proposals:
--To upgrade the multimeter
by adding a lighted display, since
they are frequently used in the
dark with the power out, and si-
multaneously holding a flashlight
can be awkward;
--To add a battery power level
display, which they referred to as
kind of a "gas gauge;"
--To develop a clip-on back for
convenient access to batteries
without having to use a screw-
driver.
Before taking their findings
and proposals to Everett, the stu-
dents spent time with Nuttman
learning how to dress appro-
priately, and how to make acom-
shouldn't use charts or an over-
head projector to share ideas,"
Koske explained.
When they conducted their fi-
nal presentation before the pro-
fessionals, they shared the three
ideas. Two had previously been
addressed by the company. "The
third concept they looked at real
seriously, for it was an idea they
had not considered before," Koske
said. They were intrigued by the
clip-on back for their product.
DURING THE TEAM plan-
ning portion of the project, Quinn
had an idea which was not em-
braced by the team. Since he had
already established a connection
with the engineers, he chose to
pursue it on his own.
His proposal was for a remote
test lead to take voltage measure-
ments without being connected to
the electric wire. This would be
for both safety and ease of use, he
indicated. Quinn drew the sche-
matics and made up a detailed
list of each piece of his proposed
product, and how it would work.
That idea has also been passed
along to the Fluke engineering
stayed in contact primarily by
e-mail.
NUTTMAN INDICATED
her excitement in seeing these
kids talk with people and find out
the skills that are important for
success if they hope to find work
in that type of job. "They have be-
gun to develop skills such as
teamwork, meeting deadlines,
and being flexible with new input,
that are important anywhere,"
she said.
"I hope this will be a model for
future partnerships," said Nutt-
man. "Kids need to know what
the world outside of Belfair looks
like before planning for their
future."
She saw the value in the proj-
ect for the company, as well. Most
of them had not been in a public
school in years, and this gave
them an opportunity to "see edu-
cation as it really is, and to work
in unison with educators to im-
prove it through various means."
This project was jointly funded
by the North Mason School Dis-
trict and the Washington Educa-
tion Association.
THE PHYSICS students who did a project with the
Fluke Company are Bree Whybark, Aaron Hendrickson,
Derrick Speaks and Eli Quinn. Not pictured is Willie
Truemper.
Firefighters climb stairs
to benefit leukemia
By LINDA THOMSON
Six members of Fire District 2
in Belfair will be participating in
the eighth annual Safeco Fire-
fighter Challenge on Sunday,
March 21, in Seattle. The event is
a fund-raiser for the Leukemia
Society of America (LSA).
Team captain Lieutenant Andy
Graham said he, Firefighter Lau-
ra Grayum, Lieutenant Keith
Langhorn, and Firefighter Taska
Gibson are all experienced at the
event and look forward to tack-
ling it again this year. New to the
gruelling competition will be fire-
fighters Ben Sande and Ryan
Cloud.
They will don full firefighting
gear and climb the stairs of the
69-floor Columbia Seafirst Cen-
ter. They are required to wear
their boots, pants, coats (with the
liners intact), helmet, and gloves.
THEY MUST HAVE their
breathing apparatus on and in
use at all times. Participants will
change air bottles on the 40th
floor, and must still be breathing
from the air bottle on the 69th
floor to successfully complete the
event.
The stated goals of the climb
are to "encourage a high level of
physical fitness among firefight-
ers, encourage friendly competi-
tion, foster camaraderie between
fire departments, shine a spot-
light on our profession and raise
money to help fight leukemia," ac-
cording to David Engler of the
Shoreline Fire Department.
Graham indicated he last did
the challenge two years ago. "I
had just been on vacation in the
12,000-foot-high Andes Moun-
tains, but I was still huffin' and
puffin' at the top," he said. "It's a
workout!"
The bunker gear doesn't
breathe, he explained, so a per-
son's body heat builds up and is
retained during the climb. The to-
tal ensemble weighs about 60
pounds.
THREE YEARS AGO, ac-
cording to Graham, one partiCip-
ant suffered cardiac arrest and
died. There will be paramedics
staged at several levels of the
building to evaluate participants
who look like they're having a
tough time.
All of the Belfair group have
been working out diligently in the
past couple of months. They have
entered this competition in honor
of Kevin Wolle, a youngster who
lives on the South Shore, and has
leukemia.
Laura Grayum puts in two
miles daily on the department
treadmill while wearing ankle
weights and the breathing appar-
atus, she said. This year's event
will be a special one for her, as
she just turned 40 years old. She
made it in 48 minutes two years
ago, she said.
Last year there were over 460
firefighters from 75 departments
who took the challenge. Dona-
tions to LSA of $64,000 went to
support research, patient aid,
public and professional education,
and community service. The $120
entry fee for the Belfair crew has
been paid by the International
Association of Firefighters, Local
3876.
TO SUPPORT THESE peo-
ple who are training for life-sav-
ing work in North Mason, you can
make out a check to the Leuke-
mia Society and drop it off at the
fire station on the Old Belfair
Highway. You may want to in-
dicate a specific firefighter for
credit on the donation, Graham
said.
FIREFIGHTER Laura Grayum works out at the Belfair
Fire Station as she prepares for the Safeco Firefighter
Challenge. Laura is part of a team of six from Belfair
who will participate while raising donations for the
Leukemia Society.
Theler Center offers spring classes
Mary E. Theler Community
Center offers a variety of spring
quarter classes beginning next
month.
Dog Obedience classes will
begin April 12 and run through
May 31. Classes will be held out-
doors in the Theler Day Park on
Thursday evenings from 6 to 7
p.m. The instructor will explain
various tools of the trade as well
as review the equipment list. If
you have equipment, bring it to
the first class but do not buy new
items until you have heard the
discussion at the first class.
You're also requested NOT to
bring dogs to the first class. The
instructor is Laura Veach. Class
fee is $35 plus a $3 registration
fee, payable to the instructor.
Pre-registration is required at the
Theler Center.
Beginning Computer class-
es will be held on Monday even-
ings from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the
North Mason High School Annex
beginning April 12 and ending
May 10.
Here, you can learn the basics
of a computer, like how to turn it
on, how to load software, practice
word processing and graphics,
and learn other programs as well.
No experience is necessary, says
instructor Art Wightman. You
will learn everything you need to
know to be a reasonably profi-
cient computer user.
The class fee is $55 with a $3
registration fee, payable to the in-
structor. Pre-registration is re-
quired at the Theler Center.
Karate classes will kick off at
the Theler Center, Conference
Room 1, on Mondays and Wed-
nesdays beginning next month.
Here, you can learn traditional
Shotokan karate from experi-
enced, certified black belt instruc-
tors John and Debra Risko. You
can learn to develop confidence,
coordination and discipline. For
more information on dates and
times, please call the instructors
at (360) 898-3680.
Kick Box and Step Aerob.
ics will be offered beginning next
month at the Theler Center.
Learn a variety of kicks and
punches aimed at improving car-
diovascular endurance and over-
all body training with certified in-
structor Andrea Heay. Kick box
aerobics is a low impact, fun
workout for the large muscle
groups. Step aerobics is an excel-
lent cardiovascular workout and
an outstanding lower body
strengthener, says Heay. Classes
are designed for all fitness levels.
Kick box aerobics will be held
on Tuesday evenings, 5:30 to
6:30. Step aerobics will be held on
Thursday evenings, 5:30 to 6:30.
Combination step and floor aero-
bic classes will be held on Satur-
day mornings, 10 to 11 a.m. All
kick box and step aerobics classes
will be held at the Theler Center,
Conference Room 1. Fee is $2.50
per class paid to the instructor,
plus the $3 registration fee. Reg-
ister at the Theler Community
Center office.
For information on starting
dates for these events, please con-
tact Janis McNeal at the Theler
Center, 275-4898.