Student Newspaper: Cascades Insight
October 2007

Cascades Insight is published monthly by
Cascades Job Corps Center, Sedro-Woolley, Washington.
Managing Editor: Bob Cockburn
Typographer and Web Design: Kate Weisel

Cascades Insight is a monthly publication of Cascades Job Corps Center in Sedro-Woolley. All items for publication must be turned in to the Newspaper Mailbox in the Staff Lounge in the administration building by the 10th of every month. Letters to the Editor must be legible, double spaced, and signed by the writer with complete address and phone number. No letter will be published that is of a personal, libelous, or malicious nature. The writer's name may be deleted by request of writer and acceptance of the editor.

Please scroll down this page to read stories from this issue.

Center Director's Message

Our weather has quickly changed to fall. Gusty winds, lots of rain with some sleet and hail mixed in has been visiting our center this week. It's getting darker earlier each evening and with the thick cloud cover it seems very gloomy. We all encounter difficult times in our lives. Please stay focused on why you came here and you will be able to accomplish your goals during the gloomy periods. Please remember to dress appropriately for the weather.

During the admissions process students are required to fill out a lot of paperwork. It is easy to forget what you have agreed to when you sign a lot papers in a short period of time. I want to say a few words regarding a very important document that is signed by every student entering the Job Corps program. It is the Drug-Free Certification form.

Last program year we separated too many students for violations of our drug and school policies. I want to remind you that we have an excellent Alcohol and Drug counselor on center, his name is Harvey Ruschmann. He can help you. He can help you get into treatment if you need it. He holds group meetings on center, and there is a local chapter of AA that holds a weekly meeting on center. Please reach out; there is help on and off center. Please don't lose your opportunity for free education and training.

Electrical Wiring Instructor Honored

Alex Pasillas, the Electrical Wiring instructor at Cascades, recently was honored by receiving an award for the best job of placing students who have graduated from his trade. This is a Regional Home Builder's Institute Region Six award. Region Six includes Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii.

Electrical wiring students study books and manuals and gain additional information from using computers and viewing television programs. Pictured are James Heame and Chris Balz.

GED Recipients 8/15 to 9/15/07

• Kendra Meaden-Wells, 8/18/2007
• Adam Lewis**, 8/23/2007
• Susan Poe, 8/29/2007
• Phillip Alexander, 8/31/2007
• Sarah Simpson**, 8/31/2007
• Teri Butler, 9/12/2007
• Amy Hunt*, 9/12/2007
• Dillon Tresslar*, 9/13/2007

* Honors (2,500+)
** High Honors (2,700+)
*** High Honors With Distinction (3,000+)

Days of Caring Volunteers

Cascades student volunteers recently helped others during Days of Caring. They prepped and painted the porch, ramp, and railing at Love Inc. in Mount Vernon, a faith-based services facility, that is part of a larger nationwide network. To learn more visit: http://www.skagitloveinc.org

Flag Football Tournament Kept Everyone Scrambling

Shown above, the Saints.

Flag Football teams played it out until the last two teams met and decided the winner. Superbowl was between Saints and Chargers: Saints 30; Chargers 6.	2nd place winners were the Chargers
Seahawks team	Titans team

Hispanic Month Celebrated

Hispanics students volunteer to host an authentic Latino luncheon for staff and students on September 28th to celebrate National Hispanic Month.

Students provided an authentic meal, drinks and desserts, with a treat for all the students at the Cascades Job Corps Center. Diversity Committee purchased candy and treats for students to hand out candy bags. Countries represented were: MEXICO, PUERTO RICO, BRAZIL, HONDURAS and DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Pictured above are students handing out desserts. Top, Petra Hernandez and Esmeralda Hernandez. Seated right to left Rudolfo Escojido, Andrew Erlwein, Michele Mata, Joel Mendiola, and Misty. Not pictured: Flosier Lucas, Laura Ortega, Jasmin Mata, Milah Creed, Jessica Garcia, Maria Aguilar, Alberto Garcia, Winter Doore, Sam Lopez. Staff: Margaret Perez, Eileen Sullivan and Kathy Sandoz.

Graduation Speech by Stormy Hayes, August, 2007

Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming to this fall graduation for the Job Corps class of August 2007. I would like to congratulate all those who are walking today, you all deserve this honor.

Before I started coming to Job Corps I was not sure where my life was going to take me. I was in a dead-end job going nowhere, not sure what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I always thought that I was better than Job Corps and that I could make it on my own. I soon found out that I was wrong.

As I filled out the application and went to the interview, throughout this process I was asked what I wanted to do and what campus I wanted to attend. At that time I didn't realize that coming to Cascades would change my life. When I got into the Dental Assisting program I proved to myself that I could accomplish anything that I put my mind to. I became more confident and out-going. I also became trade leader and was accepted into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS), and I am now a college student. I have accomplished more than I ever thought possible, including healing two of my relationships in the dorm.

I realized that I was beginning my own life and that I could go out, with the tools that Job Corps gave me, and make something of my life and my future. With that said, I would like to thank all those who had a big part in my success here. I thank my dorm staff, my trade boss Mrs. H, and my counselors Heather and Sharron. Without these people I would not have made it through Job Corps. It's also because of people like them that we are rated 6th in the nation out of 122 centers. We are also rated 3rd in the nation when it comes to kids getting their GEDs, and that is with the help of all the staff members here on center.

Every staff member, whether they be a trade boss, academic teacher, a counselor, or an RA or RC, wants to see all the students succeed. They will do anything in their power to help. All the students have to do is give them a chance. I'm so thankful for the staff here, and I thank them for all the support that they have given me.

Finally, I would like to send a special thanks to all my family and friends. First to my family, you all are the center of my world. If either one of you were to introduce yourselves to one of my friends or a staff member, they would more than likely know who you are. The reason for this is because I talk about all of you so much. I'm so proud to be in this family and I wouldn't have it any other way.

And finally, to my friends, you all know who you are, so I'm not going to say names. I'm so glad that I have friends like you who showed me that it's OK to have fun and get to know new people. Thank you so much for all the support that you all have given me, and for being there when I needed it the most. I really appreciate it.

In closing I would like to say to all the graduates that I hope that you all got all that you needed and more from your time here. I also hope that you take all the tools and resources that Job Corps has given you and apply them to any future jobs you may have or school you may attend.

September Play Day

Students and staff enjoyed the last summer days by gathering for fun and games on September 13.

As always food was a central element of the day. Games included a tug of war, a cool bungee run on an inflated course, a water balloon race, sumo wrestling, and the ever-popular pool games and chess competitions.

Oh... the Reptile Man. No he isn't a reptile, he brought reptiles of all sorts to educate and entertain everyone. The white python was a big hit, in photo beneath you can see a whole lot of students had it stretched across their laps.

The Funny Money machine was another interesting diversion, you had to try to catch money while it was being blown around inside the cylinder. Not as easy as it sounds...