Student Newspaper: Cascades Insight
September 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.

Graduation Day, August 24, 2007

Graduates gathered for a group photo on graduation day, August 24, 2007. Not everyone who graduates has the opportunity to attend graduation ceremonies. Many have already left Cascades to start their employment.

Congratulations, You Made It!

The years you've spent searching for that chance to shine, the years you've spent searching for a chance to get out on your own, through all these years, you've searched, you stumbled, and then got back up. And now you've triumphed, and you are here.

With the world at your command, and a bright future ahead of you. Go make the best of it!

(Key)
1. Obtained High School Diploma
2. Obtained General Education Diploma (GED)
3. National Technical Honor Society
4. Accepted into Advanced Career Training
*. Full Time Employment

Graduation Speech by Carolyn Zepeda, August, 2007

Well, it's been a long 21 months, but it's been worth the time. I can remember the first night here just like it was last week. I'll admit it I cried, but that's only because of my brother, who said, "just come home Carolyn, you still can". I think that was the hardest thing for me, just not being able to see the ones I love the most every day anymore.

I soon adapted and just talked to just about anybody, which was really different, because I used to be the quietest person you would have known. Later I got involved with many leadership responsibilities and activities. I even got to go to Washington D.C. for a week of training, and I was happy that my input brother Mark got to go. It seemed more fun than any kind of leadership training. I never thought I would have accomplished so much and I most definitely didn't think I would be planning to go to college. I've not only gained so much academically, but I also have grown so much as a person. I've become so much more confident and found it easy to just let go of the petty things and let them stay in the past.

I want to say thank you to the Herberts, who have all been there and still are through the hardest time; my family for always believing in me; my input family Tamara, Roger, Zach, Mark, Bernie, John, Zanetta, and Leondis for always being there and being my family away from home; Kristina Busadre for being one of the greatest people a person could ever ask for and want in their life; and Robyn Albee for not only being my leadership guide, but also for all the great talks we had that were just about anything.

I don't say I love you to just anyone, but I really love you all. If I didn't mention your name the rest of you know who you are and I appreciate you. All I can say for everyone else is just remember why you're here and never forget it. Always think about the end results of your actions. Don't worry about anyone else but yourself. It may sound selfish but you're here for you and nobody else. Try your hardest to stay out of the drama and don't let anything or anyone distract you from your dreams and future.

High School Graduates

* certificate of completion

GED Recipients 7/15 to 8/15/07

• Todd McCasland**, 7/19/07
• Grace Arnold, 8/23/07
• Ben Walker, 8/1/07
• Robbie Morgan, 8/7/07
• Mitch Bonner, 8/7/07
• Marisa Hoskins*, 8/7/07
• Lee Nelson***, 8/7/07
• Whitney Olberg, 8/7/07
• Jason Smith***, 8/7/07
• Sean Donelon, 8/10/07
• Samantha Jennings, 8/10/07
• Petra Hemandez*, 8/10/07*

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

Student Government Officers

Seated: Mareece Pona, SGA Sgt. at Arms; and Bianca Maldonado, Vice President. Back row: Joey McManus, President; Flosier Lucas, Treasurer; Nate Denton, Secretary.

Mareece Pona Wins Scholarship

Mareece enrolled at Cascades in October 2006, from Tacoma, Washington. He is 17 years old.

"Job Corps has taught me a lot of employment skills. I have learned a lot about ethics and time management. It helped me with accomplishing my goals. My goal now is to go to college and qualify as a business manager," Mareece said. He is Floor Leader in Mount Rainier dorm and Student Government Sergaent at Arms.

His advice is, "Stay focused on your goals in life. Don't let anyone distract you." Mareece suggests.

Recently Mareece was at Western Washington University for a week-long event in the accounting program. Mareece won a $3000 scholarship for any college and was chosen out of 300 students that attended.

Mareece said that it was a great experience for him, and he would love to attend again! He would definitely recommend it to anybody interested in business programs. We know he enjoyed himself, because once back on Center, he had a smile from ear to ear. Congratulations on a job well done, Mareece!

Wet, Fun-Filled August Play Day

Relax, eat, visit with friends, shoot hoops, play pool, water sports, and games -- it adds up to a nice day off from the usual routine.

New Students' Poetry

My Friend Lloyd Averate

Lloyd was different,
silent he fell,
people non-accepting
his life was a jail.
Day to day he walked in the dark,
hiding in silence,
alone at the park.
One day Lloyd,
decided his fate,
hung by a rope,
his father too late.
Friends and mourners,
which were few,
walked to the body,
and in sadness viewed.
Their departed friend,
brought down by hate,
people not accepting,
helped decide his fate.
The lesson behind
poor little Lloyd Averate's fate:
next time you see discrimination
of any kind, any place...
Stop it in its tracks,
For you could have smiled,
saved someone's life,
and family from sorrow.
In memory of little Lloyd Averate.