December 2012

West Seattle High School Principal Ruth Medsker shared some news about student participation in an event sponsored by Macy's department stores on Dec. 8.

For the second year in a row, the West Seattle High School ProStart students have amazed crowds at the Seattle Macy’s annual CookieFest celebration. In this event, consumers pay a set fee for a cookie box, and then the “mad” dash begins to get their choice dozen cookies from the banquet room full of cookie vendors.

ProStart was selected as one of only three schools in Washington to participate in this event alongside numerous bakeries around the Seattle area.

Not only do the proceeds for Cookiefest support the Seattle Milk Fund, but the event also gives our students the opportunity to work next to prestigious bakeries in a catering role, work toward planning and creating beautiful and consistent bakery products, and earn well-deserved community service hours. The Seattle Milk Fund has for more than a century, worked to increase economic stability for families and community by awarding childcare and education grants.

Unbeaten. Unbowed.

Federal Way boxer "Vicious" Vincent Thompson won his 12th consecutive fight without a loss last Thursday night, besting Yohan Banks in a six-round unanimous decision at The Hangar on the Fight Club OC undercard in Costa Mesa, Calif., remaining on track to fulfill his dream of becoming heavyweight champion of the world.

"He could not match my hand speed or my foot speed," Thompson said by phone after the fight. "He caught me with a few looping right hands, but they didn't hurt me.

"It was a great win for me, a great one to take home to Federal Way."

Though this win was impressive -- he won all rounds on every judges' scorecard, 60-54 -- Vincent Thompson must still play catchup in the pro boxing world after a late start.

He started his pro career at 26 years old, turning his previously troubled life around.

Thompson, who had a promising amateur career as a youth, served six years of prison time on weapons charges in his early 20s, putting a quick halt to any boxing ambitions.

TUKWILA - Anthony McCluskey's basket at the ending buzzer of a four-minute overtime on the Tim Parker Court sent Kennedy Catholic to a 54-52 Seamount League boys basketball win at Foster High School on Friday, Dec. 7, in a tussle that each team was in position to win throughout.

Kennedy raised its league record to 2-0 and 3-0 overall while Foster dropped to 1-1 and 2-3 respectively.

"I'm really proud of our guys," said Bulldog head coach Isaac Tucker. "They persevered and fought back. For our kids to fight back and take it to them helps in the long run. Well be so much better for what happened. Our team had three chances to take the lead and turned the ball over each time. We'll work on what we need to improve. Better to find out now than in late season."

Overtime was a true microcosm of the entire regulation game action.

Monday, Dec. 3
Boys basketball
Lakes 51, Evergreen 43
The Wolverines of Evergreen High School in White Center took a non-league loss to the Lakes Lancers last Monday.
Tyee 55, Lakewood 54
Tyee squeezed out a one-point win over Lakewood in non-league action Monday.
Girls basketball
Lakewood 43, Evergreen 25
Evergreen also came up short on the girls side Monday.
Foss 51, Highline 39
Highline took a non-league loss to Foss this past Monday.
Kennedy 47, Crosspoint 35
The Lancers posted a non-league victory against Crosspoint on Monday.

Tuesday, Dec. 4
Girls basketball
Mt. Rainier 67, Kentlake 19
The Rams showed why they are expected to go to state again with a 67-19 crushing of Kentlake last Tuesday.
Highline 39, Decatur 29
Highline hammered its visitors from Federal Way in a 10-point non-league game Tuesday.
Boys basketball
Mt. Rainier 59, Kentlake 29
The Rams rallied for a 30-point victory this past Tuesday over the Kentlake Falcons.
Mt. R. Luth. 51, Evg. Luth. 31
The Eagles of Evergreen Lutheran fell to Mount Rainier Lutheran last Tuesday.
Boys swimming

The Seattle Taekwondo Academy Tournament was held the first week of December at the Normandy Park recreation center gym. While a fierce competition, the object is also sportsmanship to build experience and gain confidence while making new friends. Hundreds of parents and fans attended the annual event. See photo gallery for additional pictures.

Cassidy Kannin (Red) 2nd Place Sparring / Age 8 White Belt - White Stripe Division

Ben Sivret (Blue) 3rd Place Sparring / Age 9 Purple Belt - Purple Stripe Division

Master Craig--Pre tournament instructions to players.

Don Morrell 2nd Dan Black Belt Center Court judge for ages 5-10

Master Craig awarding medals

Tournament participants Amanda Whitesitt, Metree Ngeth, Victoria Malmstrom with Master Instructor Ms McCall.

Medal ceremony including Ysun Mead, Nick Ankuta, Owen McLean, Margot Armstrong with judges Kelsey Dunn, Matthew Short and Votaire Ngeth.

Tired participants with their medals.

MONDAY, DEC 10, 2012

Basketball: Boys C Team Conf. Game, 7:00pm vs. Woodinville at Ballard High School

TUESDAY, DEC 11, 2012
Swim & Dive: Boys Varsity & JV Conf. Meet, 3:15pm, Away vs. Liberty at Boehm Pool (Issaquah)

Basketball: Boys JV Conf. Game, 5:45pm, Away vs. Woodinville at Woodinville High School

Wrestling: Varsity Conf. Match, 7:30pm vs. Eastlake at Ballard High School

Basketball: Boys Varsity Game, 7:30pm, Away vs. Woodinville at Woodinville High School

WEDNESDAY, DEC 12, 2012

Basketball: Girls JV Conf. Game, 5:45pm, Away vs. Woodinville at Woodinville High School

Basketball: Girls Varsity Game, 7:30pm, Away vs. Woodinville at Woodinville High School

THURSDAY, DEC 13, 2012

Gymnastics: Girls Varsity Conf. Meet, 7:00pm, Away vs. Woodinville at Bothell High School

Swim & Dive: Boys Varsity & JV Conf. Meet, 8:30pm, Away vs. Newport at Mary Wayte Pool

FRIDAY, DEC 14, 2012

Basketball: Girls JV Conf. Game, 3:30pm vs. Garfield at Ballard High School

Basketball: Boys C Team Conf. Game, 3:45pm, Away vs. Garfield, at Garfield High School

Highline Schools press release
Highline School Named 2012 State School of Distinction

Health Sciences and Human Services High School (HS3, part of the Evergreen campus on S.W. 116th St.) has been recognized for outstanding academic improvements in math and reading over a five-year period that put the school in the top five percent of the highest-improving schools in the state.

“I am delighted that HS3 has been recognized with this award,” said Dr. Susan Enfield, superintendent of Highline Public Schools. “HS3 students, staff, and families deserve to be honored for their hard work and focus.”

As the only Health Sciences themed high school in Washington, HS3 offers students the opportunity to prepare for college while exploring the complex issues connected with global health and service. HS3 is a small school, with 363 students who represent the diversity of the region. Many HS3 students aspire to be doctors, nurses, scientists, social workers, and educators.

Highline Public Schools press release:
Health Sciences and Human Services High School (HS3) has been recognized for outstanding academic improvements in math and reading over a five-year period that put the school in the top five percent of the highest-improving schools in the state.

“I am delighted that HS3 has been recognized with this award,” said Dr. Susan Enfield, superintendent of Highline Public Schools. “HS3 students, staff, and families deserve to be honored for their hard work and focus.”

As the only Health Sciences themed high school in Washington, HS3 offers students the opportunity to prepare for college while exploring the complex issues connected with global health and service.

HS3 is a small school, with 363 students who represent the diversity of the region. Many HS3 students aspire to be doctors, nurses, scientists, social workers, and educators.

HS3 is among only 19 high schools and a total of 97 schools statewide that met the Schools of Distinction performance criteria for the 2011-2012 school year.

City of Burien press release:

The Burien Community Center is pleased to present a new exhibit curated by Highline Historical Society intern Colleen Lenahan.

The exhibit “Extraordinary Women of Highline" is an exhibit that showcases the accomplishments of eleven pioneering women from the Highline area.

These women impacted their communities in profound ways, giving back in the form of civic involvement, political progress, education, and the written word.

There have been many incredible women who have contributed to developing the Highline region since pioneer days, and though we cannot celebrate them all in this exhibit, those honored here represent the broad spectrum of achievement of all female Highline leaders.

Colleen is working on her M.A. in Museology at the University of Washington.

The exhibit can be found in the lobby at the Burien Community Center, 14700 6th Ave. S.W. It will be on display until January 31, 2013. Burien Community Center hours are Monday-Thursday 8:30am-8:00pm and Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm.

Highline Public Schools press release:

Jackie Beal, a senior at Mount Rainier High School, created “Teach2Swim” for her Senior Culminating Project. Jackie’s goal was to teach swimming to teens in underserved communities so they in turn could teach others to swim.

During the summer of 2012, Jackie worked with five teenagers from the New Futures program at the Woodridge Apartments in Burien. She then supervised the teens as they each taught basic strokes and water safety to two other children.

Jackie also presented her project to the Drowning Prevention Network at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

“It was fun for me to be able to pass on some of the skills I’ve learned, but teaching a few kids to swim isn’t enough,” said Jackie. “There are 1,200 club swimmers in Puget Sound between the ages of 15 to 17. I hope to challenge these youth to consider a culminating project focused on teaching others to swim.