Camas Gymnastics Team Wins Naydenov Weekend Meet Despite Injuries

Vancouver, WA — Despite injuries and absences on Saturday, the Camas Gymnastics team (3-0 this season) managed to win Saturday’s Naydenov meet with a final overall team score of 171.85.

Union placed second (162.7); Columbia River, third (155.3); Ridgefield, fourth (136.5), and Heritage placed fifth (111.95).

It was a rocky gymnastics meet, said Head Coach Carol Willson, who feared the Papermakers would lose, given several absences and Corissa Cassidy’s injury during the Floor routine. Cassidy rolled her ankle on her first landing, and was carried out by her mother. X-rays show she didn’t break any bones, but there will be several weeks of recovery.

“It was a painful landing,” said Willson. “We’re grateful she didn’t break any bones.”

Papermaker Shea McGee’s star continues to rise, with victories in the All-Around (36.7) and Beam (9.55). Joy Marsh placed third in All-Around (34.8).

Papermaker Lili Ford won the Vault (9.4), with McGee placing a close second (9.2).

McGee also placed second in the Bars (9.2) with Annika Affleck placing fifth (8.1).

Saturday’s meet was the third consecutive victory for the girls, who continue to press forward with 42 team members.

”I’m still worried,” said Willson. “We’ve had several injuries and we’re down a few kids.”

The defending State Gymnastics champions feel confident about their depth and strength, and hope their injured athletes can heal over the holiday break.

Gingerbread

Visit www.VancouverLaserSkinCareClinic.com

 

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City of Camas Seeking Applicants for Vacant City Council Seat

Camas, WA — The City of Camas is now seeking eligible applicants from Ward 3 to fill the City Council vacancy left by Shannon Turk, who is now our Camas Mayor.

Think you might be a good fit? Please apply!

To be considered, your application must be complete and received by the City staff at Camas City Hall (616 NE 4th Avenue) no later than 5:00 pm on January 11, 2019. Additional written information after this date will not be accepted, unless requested by the City Council.

Please personally submit the following items:

  1. Signed application (see page 3 of link below).
  2. A one‐page cover letter indicating your interest and general qualifications for the position.
  3. A resume of no more than two pages.
  4. Answers to the Supplemental Questions of no more than two pages total (see page 4).
  5. Declaration and Affidavit of Candidacy

Inquiries and questions pertaining to this process or documentation should be directed to:

Peter Capell, City Administrator
616 NE 4th Avenue
Camas, WA 98607
Contact Phone: 360-834‐6864 Email Address: [email protected]

Eligibility, Requirements & Public Disclosure

To be eligible to be appointed to the Camas City Council, you:

  1. Must have continuously resided within the Camas city limits for a minimum of one year prior to your appointment to the Council.
  2. Must reside in Ward 3 where the opening exists.
  3. Must be a registered voter in the City of Camas.
  4. If you hold, participate in, or are involved in any contract(s) with the City of Camas, please explain your
    involvement in your cover letter.
  5. If you hold any other elected public office, please state what office and where in your cover letter.
  6. Please note that: Once a Council Member application is filed with the City, it is a public record available to the public.
  7. The applications received from all candidates who meet the minimum requirements of state law will be
    posted on the City of Camas website as part of the Council’s meeting packet the week of the initial
    interview.
  8. If appointed, you will be required by state law to file a personal financial disclosure statement with the
    Camas City Council Application. Washington Public Disclosure Commission (www.pdc.wa.gov)

> Full Details: https://goo.gl/SGMkdz

> Find Your Ward: https://goo.gl/PZR4C3 – Just click the Search tab and enter your address

> Map of Ward 3: https://goo.gl/frSwe7

> City Council Info: goo.gl/HN4qqx

Questions? Please contact City Administrator Pete Capell at 360-834‐6864 or [email protected]

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Nationally-Trained Youth Lead Advocacy Workshop for Local Teens

Vancouver, WA – Nearly 70 teens from three Southwest Washington counties will learn from nationally-trained youth leaders how individuals can make a difference in their communities through policy-making and laws. The Use Your Voice workshop, held at the Excelsior building of Washougal High School on December 21st, is completely led and organized by youth facilitators. Participants will experience working with decision-makers and government leaders.

Middle and high school students from Clark, Klickitat and Skamania Counties who attend the workshop will be invited to put their learning into practice in Olympia on Prevention Policy Day (February 18) by the Washington Association of Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention (WASAVP). They will have meetings with their own senators and representatives to share their youth voice around substance abuse, prevention and building healthy communities.

Youth facilitators presenting at Use Your Voice include:

• Madison Langer, Tobacco Free Kids Youth Ambassador
• Jesse Jimenez, Police Activities League Coordinator and Prevent Coalition Committee Chair
• Bridgette McCarthy, National Youth Leadership Initiative and Advocacy and Policy Training

Also, on the agenda is Washington State Representative Paul Harris to share a short speech about youth empowerment, using your voice and getting involved in government.

Hosted by Youth Now (an initiative of Prevent Coalition) this workshop is funded through the Washington State Department of Health dedicated marijuana account funding. This workshop is offered in partnership with Unite! Washougal Community Coalition. For more information about Unite! contact Margaret McCarthy [email protected], 360-954-3203, unitewashougal.org

Voice

About Prevent Coalition

Founded in 2006, Prevent Coalition is a group of diverse community members working together using an evidence-based framework to prevent youth substance abuse in Clark County, WA.  Working in collaboration with parents, youth, schools, media, business, government, faith communities, law enforcement, youth-serving organizations, civic groups, health care professionals, and prevention organizations, Prevent Coalition is focused on improving the environment surrounding youth to create a community culture that promotes prevention and honors healthy living. Find toolkits, resources, and information about addiction, prevention, and resilience for adults and youth at PreventCoalition.org

Voice

Listening at a past Use Your Voice workshop.

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Camas Boys Swim Team Handily Defeats Vancouver Schools

Camas, WA — The Camas Boys swim team (2-2) handily defeated Vancouver Schools (Skyview, Hudson’s Bay, Fort Vancouver and Columbia River) at Wednesday’s meet at Lacamas Athletic Club.

”It was strange to be visitors at a pool that’s always been our home,” said Camas senior, Jake Duerfeldt. “It’s all been strange this year, but we’re overcoming it, and we have a lot of new talent.”

Two swimmers also made State cuts Wednesday: Washougal’s Isaiah Ross in the 200 Free and 100 Fly; and Papermaker Jaden Kim in the 100 Fly.

Camas got off to a great start winning the 200m medley relay. Washougal’s Ross won the 200 Free, followed by Papermaker Dave Peddie, a sophomore.

Kim won the 50 Free, followed by sprinter Ben Taylor, who keeps gaining momentum.

”We’re really pleased with the speed of Ben and Luke (Bales),” said team co-captain, Austin Fogel, who has two State champion rings. “We’re overcoming a lot this swim season, and it’s great to see team members stepping up. The pool change has really created some challenges as some have trouble getting to Cascade to even practice.”

Peddie said the team got off to a bumpy start by facing Curtis (near Seattle) at the season opener.

”They had like three times our numbers, so it made it really challenging,” said Peddie. “Then when we went to Pasco, we only had like 11 swimmers. We made it up at Kelso, and we’re getting better every practice.”

 

Final team scores:

Camas 211, Skyview 66

Camas 171, Columbia River 113

Camas 225, Hudson’s Bay 33

Camas 272, Fort Vancouver 11

Official and final individual scores haven’t been reported as yet, as they weren’t yet provided by the host. As soon as those numbers come in, we’ll update this article.

 

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Camas Wrestling Team Wins First Dual Meet of the Season

Camas, WA — The Warehouse was well attended Tuesday night as Camas hosted Heritage for their first wrestling dual of the new season. Camas won, 59-21.

Heritage had some impressive athletes, but they weren’t able to overcome Camas.

The Papermaker wrestlers are off to a great start this season — they notched two individual wins at Rose City two weeks ago — with seniors Jack Latimer and State Champion, Tanner Craig. And, last weekend, junior Gideon Malychewski won his weight class at Tri-State.

In addition, Latimer was named Athlete of the Week by The Columbian newspaper.

”In the last couple of hours I took first, so that was really cool for my team,” said Latimer. “I’m really happy about that. We’re off to a great start.”

Here are the Varsity wrestling results:

106 pound weight class:

Heritage’s Israel Gonzalez defeated Porter Craig

120 pound weight class:

Papermaker Ryan Bell defeated Kyle Killiam

126 pound weight class:

Heritage’s Bodee Parker defeated Devin Padilla

132 pound weight class:

Papermaker Chris Goodnight defeated Wyatt Scott

Wrestling

Isaac Duncan won by pin against Alex Newberry.

138 pound weight class:

Papermaker Jack Latimer won by forfeit

145 pound weight class:

Papermaker Tanner Craig defeated Juan Castillo

152 pound weight class:

Papermaker Isaac Duncan defeated Alex Newberry (pin)

160 pound weight class:

Heritage’s Timmy Carbollo defeated Mason Gross

170 pound weight class:

Dominic Fujihara won by forfeit

182 pound weight class:

Papermaker Gideon Malychewski defeated Andrew Cowley

195 pound weight class:

Papermaker Colby Stoller won by forfeit

220 pound weight class:

Papermaker Dustin Hubbard won by forfeit

285 pound weight class:

Papermaker Josue Espinoza defeated James Cook

 

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Local Community Helps CHS Senior Exceed Toy Drive Donation Goals

Camas, WA — Camas High School (CHS) Varsity Track star, Blake Deringer, decided to do a cool thing for his CHS Senior Project: Organize a Christmas toy drive for local needy families.

So, with the help of the Camas Public Library, CHS, and Washougal Sport and Spine, who provided locations for donation barrels, Deringer organized the effort, and marketed his plan. His goal was to gather and deliver 200 toys for the local Family Resource Center. That number would help out 60 families.

Thanks to a giving community, Deringer exceeded his goal, and collected 270 toys. Way to go Camas and Washougal!

“It was truly an amazing experience, and to never have done anything like this before and have it be so great, was unbelievable,” said Deringer. “The support from the community was more than I could’ve imagined, and to deliver the toys to the resource center and see how happy they were knowing they’d be able to give kids in need toys for Christmas was a humbling experience.“

Deringer who runs track for CHS, and also played Varsity football, learned a lot from the project.

“I honestly just got involved with the resource center and thought this would be a cool senior project,” said Deringer. “I haven’t done a lot of service projects before and was amazed at how many people who are in need. I realized this is something I could get behind. Really, I had no idea there were so many people in our local community that are homeless or in need. It really blew my mind. It’s really humbling seeing people going there asking for things on a everyday basis. It’s nice that I can help with that a little bit. I will definitely continue working with them after my senior project.”

Toy

Delivering the toys.

Toy

Loading up the toys for delivery.

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Camas City Council OKs $195 Million Budget; Funds 5 New Firefighters

Camas, WA — The Camas City Council unanimously (absent Councilor Bonnie Carter) approved a $195 million biennial budget Monday night that includes funds for five new firefighters.

The meeting was a stark contrast from the previous council session  that had councilors deadlocked about firefighter funding. In question was the Washougal funding for their portion of the fire services, which is 40 percent. Washougal hasn’t committed to their portion.

“Congratulations. That was a little easier this time,” said Camas Mayor Shannon Turk following the official vote.

The new budget increases funding for salaries and benefits for the Camas-Washougal Fire Department (CWFD) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) by $663,988 in 2019, and by an additional $273,518 in 2020. The budget includes money for four new firefighters, a new fire marshal, as well as a new vehicle.

“The new vehicle is a one-time expense,” said city administrator, Pete Capell.

As Camas accounts for 60 percent of the funding for CWFD and EMS, several councilors expressed dismay at the reality that Washougal isn’t footing their part of the bill. They were previously hesitant to absorb the total cost.

The local firefighters union has pressed the council for most of 2018 for more personnel to “adequately serve Camas,” said firefighter, Josh Proctor.

City Councilwoman Deanna Rusch has always expressed support for the new personnel, and Capell has said because of increased city revenues “this is a good time to expand city services to meet our growing demands.”

He said staffing has been mostly stagnant for many years.

Washougal is willing to pay for their share of the new firefighter’s expenses, but they simply don’t have the funds.

Following passage of the 2019-20 budget, CWFD Fire Captain Kevin West addressed the council.

“I wanted to thank you for recognizing the need for firefighters,” West said.

Camas citizens are likely going to be very happy about the decision, given public input on the issue.

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Camas Gymnastics: State Champions Win Weekend Meet; Gain Strength

Vancouver, WA — The Camas High School (CHS) Girls Gymnastics team continued their winning streak over the weekend dominating the competition with a final score of 180.05 over second place Mountain View (136.450), and third place Prairie (125.10).

The state champion gymnastics team has an even more talented team this season, and it’s showing in all performances.

“We are in a great position to defend our title with Saturday’s scores,” said Camas Head Coach, Carol Willson. “We have a lot of errors (easy ones to fix) and freshman Peyton Cody is still out with a concussion and if she can get back healed she’ll be up there with Shea, Alyssa and Lili. Madison Martin has really upped her skill level and Joy and Morgan are adding strength and depth. Lizzy is up there on floor. Freshman Olivia Bane is a strong All-Around.”

She said that Freshman Julia Marsh and Lauren Meyer are strong on Beam and Floor and Freshman Delaney Anderson is strong on Beam.

“We are in a much better place early in the season and all 40 know that it’s hard to make our top 6 for each event. I asked them for a 178 yesterday, they delivered a 180. They really know how to come together for a team goal. They want to defend their place in the State and they are building strong friendships, and a stronger work ethic because of it. The four captains Joy, Madison, Annika and Lizzy are strong leaders. My parents are amazing. Camas leadership is incredible and helping us navigate so many athletes!”

Here’s how the girls did in the various events:
All-Around
Shea McGee CHS 37.5
Alyssa Shibata CHS 36.9
Lili Ford CHS 35.750
Vault
Shea McGee CHS 9.5
Lili Ford CHS 9.4
Katie Stevens WHS 9.2
Bars
Alyssa Shibata CHS CHS 9.3
Shea McGee CHS 9.0
Madison Martin CHS 8.4
Beam
Alyssa Shibata CHS 9.5
Shea McGee CHS 9.45
Lili Ford CHS 9.250
Floor
Shea McGee CHS 9.55
Alyssa Shibata CHS 9.2
Joy Marsh CHS 9.25
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CRGE School Kindness Project Shines Light on Positive Behavior

Washougal, WA — Inspiration is all around Columbia River Gorge Elementary school, and a single kind act has grown into a school-wide Kindness Project to shine a spotlight on positive behavior.

“This all began with creation of a holiday giving tree at the school to help a few local families,” said Christa Kornoski, CRGE Booster.  “It was tagged with 30 gift requests that our school community would volunteer to purchase.  The tags were depleted in two days so we added more families and, by the end, had a total of 74 gift requests.  Every one of them were fulfilled!  This tree demonstrated to students what a caring, giving, and supportive community we have here.”

With the success of the giving tree, the Boosters began thinking about ways to extended kindness beyond holiday giving and create something that could involve every child.

“We began looking at ways of organizing and recognizing random acts of kindness,” Kornoski explained.  “A sample calendar featuring daily kind acts was brought to us by fellow Booster Laura Kelly and we loved the idea.” The group brainstormed simple things students could do at school or at home to develop three calendars; one for young children, one for older and one that is a combination.

“This is when we heard that two 5th grade girls, Grace Hack and Bella Bradford, were also working on creating a kindness initiative,” Kornoski said. “So, we integrated their ideas and energy with ours. They created the calendar for the 4th and 5th graders.  We felt that this idea would be more influential coming from peers rather than parents at the upper elementary grades.” Suggested items on the calendar include writing a thank you note to your bus driver, sitting with someone new at lunch and cleaning out your parent’s car.

The next step in the project was recognizing the kindness students were showing. This is where Steve the Snowman came in.

“Steve is a life-size paper snowman on the hallway wall at CRGE,” Kornoski explained. “Each act of kindness a student shows can be written on a snowball tag and attached to him for all to see.  The goal is to have Steve completely covered with snowballs.”

And it is working.  The month-long CRGE Kindness Project began November 25 and will continue until the start of Winter Break and Steve is so filled with tags of good deeds that a new Sally the Snowman has been added.  Each tag lists the student, their teacher, their kind action and can be written by the student themselves or by a teacher or student who witnessed someone doing something nice.  A random tag is picked each morning to be read during the school news broadcast.  “The classroom with the most acts of kindness will be interviewed by the school’s morning news on why kindness is so important to them,”’ Kornoski said. “We decided it was best to reinforce this behavior by recognition rather than rewards or prizes.”

The plan is to continue after winter break with a Kindness Leadership Club that will meet once a month with a spring event before the end of school.  “We want to encourage kindness as something that will be in students’ thoughts throughout the year,” Kornoski said.  Her hope is that they will take this momentum with them into middle school.

Preparing for middle school is on the minds of Hack and Bradford and they feel this club will help ease that transition by reminding students about the importance of kindness.  “There can be a lot of unkind things that go on in middle school,” Hack said. “This club will help students understand the importance of being kind and inspire them to do their best to treat people nice.”

“We also hope our efforts will grow to the point that we could qualify for a grant to implement a large community project,” said Bradford.

“One of our goals is to change the narrative to focus on the positive things people do rather than the negative behaviors,” Kornoski said.  “We want these students to understand that one kind act can make a significant difference in a person’s life.”

Kindness

Putting a spotlight on positive behavior.

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Camas High Gymnastics Team: Defending Their State Title

Camas, WA — As their new season begins this Saturday at 2 pm at VEGA, the reigning State Champion Girls Gymnastics team is putting in the hours, the sweat, and strategy to defend their State title.

Since winning State last February, the team has only lost one athlete, Jax Purwins, and they’re pretty excited about new star power — Peyton Cody and Lili Ford — along with several athletes that are new to the sport. While focused and grateful, they also begin this season with a lot of confidence.

“Our team has almost doubled in size,” said Head Coach, Carol Willson. “I think winning State helped draw a lot of new kids, but it’s also a new adjustment. We enter this season with strength, and just hope that everyone can stay healthy.”

Given the team’s size, practices are spread all across the week, and into the weekends, and seldom are the JV and Varsity squads practicing together, but we caught up with the girls during a rare session when the team was all together, in one place, at the same time.

“We won state so that shows them we’re the real deal, and that we’re serious,” said co-captain, Madison Martin. “We have a lot of new freshmen that are really good. Winning Sate was a good moment, it was a real bonding experience for everyone. It makes us more motivated to hold onto it — to keep the title.”

Co-captain, Annika Affleck, agrees.

“Having so many more athletes on the team really helps out,” said Affleck. “We have a lot of experience.”

Co-captain Joy Marsh, who did All-Around last season, said the size of the team is challenging, which is why they split practices into two groups.

“We have to make each practice count, and stay focused on our goals,” said Marsh. “We have a good team, and good coaches with Carol and Trisha. We also have strength in the All-Around.”

The new team size is also a blessing because it gives them more depth.

“We’re up to 40+ kids, and they have to work harder to make a spot,” said Willson. “We are coaching seven days a week, and Sunday afternoons are the only time we get the whole team together, which is essential for team bonding. The girls put in the time, and we’re excited to officially get the season started on December 8!”

Photo Gallery

 

 

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