Clark Students Honored on All-Washington Academic Team
Two Clark College students were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement and community service at the 28th annual All-Washington Academic Team ceremony, held April 24 at South Puget Sound Community College in Lacey.
Seth Stigall Barranco and Anton Vlasov represented Clark College as members of the prestigious All-Washington Academic Team, a statewide program that honors high-achieving students from the state’s 34 community and technical colleges. The program is part of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges.
They join more than 80 scholars from across Washington State who are pursuing transfer or workforce pathways and demonstrating excellence both in and out of the classroom.
Darci Feider, advisor of the Clark College PTK chapter, Alpha Sigma Pi, said, “I’m incredibly proud of Seth and Anton for being named to the All-Washington Academic Team. Their hard work and commitment to learning have made them outstanding representatives of Clark College.”
Seth Stigall Barranco
Named in the All-Washington Top 16 Scholars
Seth Stigall Barranco Is a first-generation college student who wants to inspire his younger siblings to follow his path of graduating from college and pursuing an impactful career. At Clark he is a leader, helping to start a new club for video game design and organizing an event for MESA students and maintaining a 3.9 grade point average. After completing a summer internship at Oakridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, he will graduate from Clark College with an associate degree in computer and information sciences. In the fall he will join the first cohort of students in Clark’s new Bachelor of Science in computer science program.
Anton Vlasov
When Russian rockets leveled the apartment building next door, Anton Vlasov and his family left Ukraine to seek safety from the war. Building upon his work in the IT industry,
Vlasov enrolled at Clark College. Vlasov, 40, maintains a 3.81 grade point average and will graduate with an associate’s degree in computer and information sciences in June. Next, he plans to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in cybersecurity at Clark with a goal of working as a cybersecurity analyst.
All-Washington Academic Team Ceremony
Each student received a medal and a $250 scholarship from Key Bank. They also are eligible for additional scholarships from private sponsors and transfer scholarships for four-year colleges and universities.
Program sponsors:
Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges
Washington State Association of College Trustees
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges
Right to Left Channel Gore, students Leonardo Gallardo Dextre and Sandra Sanchez Cruz, Sudha Frederick, student Addie Kuria, Shirley Schwartz and April Pereira.
At Clark College’s Spring Students of Color Luncheon on April 17, Vice President of Information Technology Sudha Frederick delivered a powerful and personal message on the role of mindset in achieving success. Drawing from his upbringing in Hyderabad, India, and a life shaped by academic rigor and faith, Frederick shared six core attitudes that have guided his journey: gratitude, curiosity, integrity, concern, humility, and a solution-focused mindset.
Sudha Frederick, VP of IT, is flanked by peer mentors Leonardo Gallardo Dextre and Addie Kuria at the April 17 Students of Color Luncheon.
Hosted by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Multicultural Student Affairs, the free, public event brought students, staff, and community members together for meaningful conversation and a shared meal.
Frederick spoke about growing up in Hyderabad, India and being the son of a professor at several Christian seminaries. He was influenced by both academic rigor and a deep sense of faith.
In his message titled “Developing Powerful Attitudes for Success: Attitudes and Aptitude,” he reflected on how each of these attitudes has played a transformative role in his personal and professional life:
Gratitude – “An attitude of gratitude can change your outlook and your life,” he said, encouraging students to appreciate both small wins and major milestones.
Curiosity – Frederick encouraged students to choose curiosity over complacency by being open to learning new things, understanding the “why” behind the “what,” discovering new perspectives, and solving problems creatively.
Integrity – He emphasized the importance of growing organically, avoiding shortcuts, and building trust through consistent, honest actions.
Concern – Frederick called on students to lead with empathy by choosing an attitude of concern by listening actively, responding with thoughtfully, connecting meaningfully with others, and contributing positively to your community.
Humility – He shared how humility has helped him remain grounded, learn from others, and stay receptive to growth.
Solution/Resolution – Finally, “be a problem solver, not a problem creator,” he advised, reminding students that focusing on solutions empowers them to take action and create change.
President Edwards who attended the luncheon, reflected on the impact of Frederick’s message in her weekly email to faculty and staff:
“Sudha shared that gratitude, curiosity, integrity, concern, humility, and a focus on solutions/resolution will enhance your chances of success. Thank you to Sudha for sharing this important message with our students, and to ODEI for hosting the event.”
Q & A with Sudha Frederick
Q: When did you know that you wanted to work in Information Technology? Did you experience an “aha” moment during which you realized IT would be your career path? SF: I had the opportunity in my late teens to work at an e-commerce company when I moved to Finland. I started off with assembling computers and I loved it.
Q:In what ways has embracing these six powerful attitudes impacted your life? SF: It has resulted in strong relationships with my peers and supervisors. I have been blessed in so many ways. My faith is what drives me to live by all of these attitudes.
Q:During your presentation you showed a photograph of a motorcycle. What type of motorcycle is it? SF: I ride an Aprilia 1100 RSV4.
About Sudha Frederick
Sudha Frederick joined Clark College in April 2023 as the Vice President of Information Technology. Sudha brings 15 years of experience in the field of information technology and 7 plus years in serving in leadership positions in several non-profit organizations. He has a master’s degree in business administration from George Fox University, a master’s degree in ministry management from Multnomah University and a master’s in Sociology from
Madurai Kamaraj University. When away from work, he loves spending time with his family, church, playing the electric guitar, and riding his motorcycle.
In his VP role, Frederick is responsible for the organization’s technology vision and execution providing oversight of campuswide information technology activities, sponsoring IT committees, working with IT service units across campus, assessing current IT infrastructure and making appropriate recommendations and strategies to deliver timely and qualitative IT services across the University.
Sudha Frederick is passionate about building IT Teams to provide top notch IT services. One of his main focuses is to equip and empower his team to succeed by paying close attention to their natural potential and skillsets to set them up for success. He believes in transformational servant leadership.
Next ODEI Luncheons:
Students with Disability Luncheon: Tuesday, May 13 at noon in PUB 161
Queer Student Luncheon: Tuesday, June 3 at noon in PUB 161
Connect with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI):
Koto performance by Yukiko Vossen, accompanied by flutist LeeAnn McKenna, left.
For the first time in years, the Sakura Festival finally got its perfect spring day. The weather was warm, the cherry trees were bursting with fluffy pink blossoms, and not a single dark cloud dared to show up.
Drawn by sunshine and drifting petals, a large crowd of Clark students, employees, and community members of all ages filled the Japanese Friendship Garden. Beneath the canopy of blossoms, they celebrated spring, friendship, and hope, set to the graceful sounds of a traditional Koto performance by Yukiko Vossen, accompanied by flutist LeeAnn McKenna.
Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards welcomed visitors and remarked that it was the first time in her five years at Clark that Sakura conditions had been perfect.
Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnery-Ogle shared the history of Clark’s cherry trees and remembered former Clark President Bob Knight and former Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard. Both men were instrumental in building the sister-city relationship with Joyo, Japan, and honoring that relationship every year in the Clark College cherry grove during Sakura. The mayor expressed sadness that both Knight and Pollard passed away recently, but their legacy will live on.
McEnergy-Ogle said, “We lost both Bob and Royce recently. And while we mourn the loss of two community champions, we celebrate their legacies in events and moments like today. And we can renew our commitment to carry forward the relationships and causes that blossomed under their stewardship.”
Clark student Nicole Vara Madriz, far right, with members of the Clark College Japanese Club.
Consul General Ken Todorikiof the Japanese Embassy in Portland and Clark student Nicole Vara Madriz, who studied abroad in Japan, also addressed the crowd.
Clark College Treble Ensemble performed under the direction of Dr. Jake Funk, right.
Dr. Edwards shared the history of Clark’s Royce E. Pollard Japanese Friendship Garden and its significance to our college and the greater community. She also shared life lessons from Sakura.
President Dr. Karin Edwards welcomes visitors to the Sakura Festival.
Sakura’s Life Lessons
1. Embrace Impermanence A powerful reminder that nothing in life is permanent. When you accept impermanence, you learn to live more fully and appreciate what you have while it lasts.
2. Find Beauty in Simplicity Cherry blossoms are not extravagant or overly complex. Their beauty lies in their simplicity. This teaches us that we don’t need grand gestures or material possessions to experience joy.
3. Let Go with Grace When cherry blossoms fall, they do so gracefully, creating a beautiful and peaceful scene. This is a lesson in letting go. Letting go doesn’t mean giving up; it means trusting that something new and beautiful will emerge.
4. Celebrate New Beginnings Cherry blossoms are often associated with spring, a season of renewal and rebirth. They remind us that after every ending comes a new beginning. No matter how difficult or dark a period may seem, there’s always the promise of fresh starts and brighter days ahead.
After sharing these life’s lessons, Dr. Edwards added, “Today, as we celebrate spring, the spirit of international friendship, and the spiritual significance of these cherry blossom trees, let us remember to practice mindfulness, simplify our lives, be grateful for small joys, and embrace change.”
She thanked Clark’s grounds crew for working hard to maintain the college campus. Then she added, “We’re proud that Clark College can be a place of beauty and reflection for everyone in Vancouver. And I know that both Royce Pollard and Bob Knight would be proud of that legacy, too.”
Next, Clark College Treble Ensemble, directed by Dr. Jacob Funk, performed songs including “Sakura,” a traditional Japanese folk song depicting spring, the season of cherry blossoms.
Butterfly Garden
Student Beheshta Eqalbi helped carefully collect the butterflies at the end. Photo: Clark College/Susan Parrish
An outdoor butterfly garden near Anderson Fountain was a new and very popular addition to Sakura Festival. A long, steady line of students, Clark employees, and community members—many of them parents with young children—waited patiently for an opportunity to spend five minutes in the netted enclosure staffed by Student Life.
Once inside the net structure, visitors quietly interacted with 150 painted lady butterflies. Holding swabs soaked in nectar, visitors enticed the butterflies to perch and feed from their hands. Many of the visitors were young children, delighted in the up-close experience to marvel at these delicate, fluttering creatures.
In Japanese culture, butterflies carry rich symbolic meaning, frequently appearing in traditional art, literature, and aesthetics. They often represent transformation, the beauty of nature, and the fleeting nature of life.
After the butterfly garden closed, ASCC student volunteers gently collected the butterflies. Beheshta Eqbali, a member of Clark’s Phi Theta Kappa honors society, cradled a butterfly in each hand, pausing to admire their bright orange wings before placing them in a mesh enclosure for transport.
Gaiser Student Center
Students from Child and Family Studies show off their artwork, wearing kimonos, as part of an annual learning activity during the cherry blossom season to learn more about Japanese culture.A shortened version of the nostalgic traditional Japanese Dance “Fuji Musume” (Wisteria Maiden) was performed. Takohachi drum group performed at the end of the festival.
When the outdoor portion of the ceremony concluded, hundreds of people moved indoors to Gaiser Student Center, where guests enjoyed many activities and presentations, including:
Cherry blossom cookies made by students in Professional Baking & Pastry Arts
Display tables included a tea ceremony, Ikebana (flower arranging), Japanese calligraphy, Japanese Club, and Kendo Club
Video tribute to former Mayor Royce Pollard and former Clark President Bob Knight
Cultural Performances
Video tribute to former Mayor Royce Pollard and former Clark President Bob Knight
Haiku presented by the Japanese Club
Nostalgic traditional Japanese Dance “Fuji Musume” (Wisteria Maiden)
Adorable art shared by Clark College Child and Family Study’s, kimono-clad children
Energetic show by Takohachi drum group
Did You Know…?
Tucked between the vibrant blooms and quiet pathways of Clark College, the Royce E. Pollard Japanese Friendship Garden is more than a scenic spot – it’s a living symbol of international friendship and local pride.
Royce E. Pollard Japanese Friendship Garden 2012.
Celebration of Friendship: Dedicated during the 2012 Sakura Festival, the garden honors former Vancouver mayor and Clark College trustee Royce E. Pollard, whose vision helped forge the sister city bond between Vancouver and Joyo, Japan. His legacy now blooms each spring in a sea of cherry blossoms.
A Landscape of Meaning: Every curve and stone in the garden tells a story. The winding path mirrors the mighty Columbia River, connecting people and places across our region. Sculpted earth mounds reflect the soft rise and fall of nearby hills, while a striking stone sculpture from Japan pays tribute to the mountains that define our skyline.
Roots of Generosity: The garden’s iconic cherry trees are two special gifts. In 1990, Mr. John Kageyama of America Kotobuki donated the first 100 Shirofugen cherry trees. Nearly three decades later, Mr. Tatsuo Ito of SEH America extended that legacy with 200 Somei Yoshino trees, ensuring the blossoms will inspire generations to come.
More information
Learn more about the history of our Sakura Festival here.
The lifespan of a painted lady butterfly is 14 to 28 days. Learn 10 facts about painted lady butterflies here.
Photos: Jenny Shadley/Clark College
Clark Welcomes Hundreds to 2025 CTE Showcase
Students Caleb Gross, Ridgefield High School, and Daeannamae Becky, Columbia River High School, engineered a helicopter device that they tested by dropping from the three-story drop tower.
Clark College hosted more than 350 high school students from across five counties for its annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs Showcase on April 15.
Students from grades 9 through 12 explored Clark’s degrees and programs and learned about a wide range of CTE programs offered at Clark, gaining insight into potential career pathways and educational opportunities.
Sponsored by Guided Pathways, this year’s event included attendance from 25 high schools across seven Clark County school districts. Participating schools outside of Clark County drove all the way from Stevenson (Skamania County); Glenwood, Klickitat, and Lyle (Klickitat County); Kalama (Cowlitz County); and Mossyrock High School (Lewis County).
Chef Aaron Guerra leads a group through the cuisine kitchens.
Some of the student engagement included:
Professor-Chef Aaron Guerra led a group of high school students through the cuisine kitchens at McClaskey Culinary Institute. He said, “I’m an example of living your dream. I followed my heart, followed my passion, worked hard, and built a great career.” He added, “It takes hard work to be successful in life—and in the kitchen.”
Across campus in the Diesel Technology lab classroom, Professor Jeff Rush told students: “Learning electrical is a long path. But it can open doors to a great career in diesel technology.”
In the STEM Building, engineering professors Tina Barsotti and Carol Hsu led students in an engineering challenge to design and build a helicopter-like device that can carry cargo. Caleb Gross from Ridgefield High School and Daeannamae Beckey from Columbia River High School teamed up and used ChatGPT to find detailed plans for building their copter.
Professor Izad Khormaee helps a student engineer a project.
Gaby Posteuca, a Clark admissions recruiter who helped coordinate the event, said, “What a turnout we had for our CTE showcase this year! It was gratifying to see hundreds of students who were engaged in the workshop activities and asking questions. I am confident that this event sparked the high school students to consider their future career and how Clark College can help them attain their career goals.”
Exploring Career Pathways
Each high school student chose two workshops to attend from a list of offerings, including observing CTE classes in action. These included allied health programs Health Information Management, Medical Assisting, Nursing, Pharmacy Tech, and Surgical Technology; Automotive Technology, Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management, Diesel Technology, Welding Technology, Mechatronics, Engineering, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Cybersecurity, Cuisine Management, Professional Baking and Pastry Arts and Early Childhood Education and more.
Román Lara tells high school students about Clark’s MESA program.
Workshops in Gaiser Hall included financial aid and scholarships, admissions, career exploration, Running Start, and more.
All over campus, high school students met Clark faculty, learned about specific programs, experienced demonstrations, and participated in hands-on activities.
Finally, the students gathered in Gaiser Student Center for boxed lunches and a Resource Fair, where they made connections and asked questions of Clark staff from Admissions, CTE Dual Credit, Financial Aid, Tutoring Services, MESA, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and more. Gaiser Hall was buzzing with staff assisting students to plan for their future careers.
Participating Clark County High Schools
Battle Ground: Battle Ground High School, Prairie High School
Camas: Camas High School, Discovery High School, Hayes Freedom High School
Evergreen: Evergreen High School, Henrietta Lacks High School, Heritage High School, Legacy High School, Legacy-Open Doors, Mountain View High School
Hockinson: Hockinson High School
Ridgefield: Ridgefield High School
Vancouver: Columbia River High School, Fort Vancouver High School, Hudson’s Bay High School, Skyview High School, Vancouver Flex Academy
Washougal: Washougal High School
Participating Schools Beyond Clark County
Cowlitz County: Kalama High School
Klickitat County: Glenwood High School, Klickitat High School, Lyle High School
Lewis County: Mossy Rock High School
Skamania County: Stevenson High School
Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish
Oso brings Clark Community Together
Oso celebrated his birthday in the Basic Needs Hub with Caitlin Malvar, Basic Needs Coordinator (and his person) and college and foundation staff.
Clark College celebrated a very special birthday on April 3 as students, staff, and faculty gathered in the Basic Needs Hub to honor Oso, the campus’s beloved therapy dog, on his fourth birthday.
Oso excitedly ripped open his birthday gift, a new stuffy toy!
Party hats, dog videos, gifts, and donations of pet food filled the room—as Oso soaked up the love. The celebration was organized by Oso’s favorite person, Basic Needs Navigator Caitlin Malvar, who invited the campus community with this message:
“One of the best days of the year is soon approaching! Our furry colleague, Oso, is turning 4! Please join us April 3 from noon to 1 p.m. to celebrate! Oso’s birthday wish is to host a pet food and toy drive for our students who have pets in need! Please feel free to bring unopened pet food and toys to the party. All donations will be distributed to students in the Basic Needs Hub and Penguin Pantry.”
The party not only celebrated a cherished campus companion but also supported Clark students and their pets—just the kind of gift Oso would have wished for. The Clark community donated more than 50 items: packages of dog and cat food, plus pet toys.
In addition, Oso eagerly tore open his own gifts—much like any four-year-old would. He latched onto a special red stuffie dog—and wouldn’t let it go.
Malvar said: “I want to thank the Clark community for celebrating Oso with me. But even more important, for supporting our Basic Needs Hub, which is vital to our students.”
Donate Unopened Pet Food
Lynne Groom from Clark College Foundation donated pet food to the Basic Needs Hub in honor of Oso’s fourth birthday.
If you didn’t have an opportunity to attend Oso’s birthday party and would like to donate unopened pet food, stop by the Basic Needs Hub and say hello to Oso.
Malvar said, “Oso comes to campus with me most days. But occasionally, he is off on adventures in the woods with his other parent.”
Basic Needs Hub hours: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Spring is a busy, exciting season at Archer Gallery – and if you’ve never been to the gallery, I encourage you to stop by. This April and May, the gallery welcomes artist-in-residence Bruce Conkle and a slate of public programs, including seven art talks and three workshops.
All events are free and open to the public, and will have light refreshments – so invite your colleagues, friends, and family along. Unless otherwise noted, events take place in the Archer Gallery, located at the lower southwest entrance of the Penguin Union Building. See you there!
Artist-in-Residence Bruce Conkle
For the 2025 Artist-in-Residence, Bruce Conkle was chosen because his work is engaging, thoughtful, and funny and because he has experience working with students. He has an extensive resume and plans to use his time in the residency to create ambitious drawings and sculptures. His first workshop will be about creating paper sculptures, and his second workshop will be on silver leafing. His work explores climate change, which is an important, current topic discussed in science, art, philosophy, and social science classrooms amongst others.
Conkle declares an affinity for mysterious natural phenomena such as snow, fire, rainbows, crystals, volcanos, tree burls, and meteorites. He examines contemporary attitudes toward the environment, including deforestation, climate change, and extinction. Conkle’s work often deals with man’s place within nature and frequently examines what he calls the misfit quotient at the crossroads.
His work has been shown in Reykjavik, Iceland; Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and in the United States in New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Seattle and Portland. Conkle’s recent projects include public art commissions for the Oregon Department of Transportation, TriMet/MAX Light Rail, and Portland State University’s Smith Memorial Student Union Public Art + Residency. He has been the recipient of a Hallie Ford Fellowship, an Oregon Arts Commission Artist Fellowship, and Regional Arts and Culture Council project grant.
Artist Talk:April 15, 1-2 p.m. at Penguin Union Building, Room 161
Workshop 1:“Paper Sculpture” April 30, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Workshop 2:“Silver Leafing” May 6, noon – 1:30 p.m.
Closing Reception:May 10, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Artist’s website: https://bruceconkle.com/
Clark Art Talks
For the Clark Art Talks, I have invited artists from a variety of media, backgrounds, and experiences to share their work with our community. Each of these professional artists have unique histories and will share personal stories of artistic struggle and success with Clark students. As a student studying art, it is extremely valuable to hear how other artists have carved out careers for themselves.
Chris Lael Larson combines digital media with traditional painting, photography, and drawing materials. His colorful work playfully challenges our ideas of visual perception. His artist talk will be via Zoom to accommodate a digital painting class that meets online.
Larson has shown work in more than 30 cities across the U.S., with notable exhibitions at the Berkeley Museum of Art, Portland Institute of Contemporary Art, and The Portland Art Museum NW Film Center. He received a 2020 grant from The Regional Arts and Culture Council to publish Cape Disappointment, a photo book documenting the visual vernacular of the distinctive towns of the coastal northwest — places where historical, cultural, commercial, and natural forces layer to create a confounding visual mélange.
Malia Jensen creates sculptures and videos that investigate systems of nature. Her aesthetic is clever, polished, and highly crafted with a nod to symbolic imagery. Jensen draws inspiration from the natural world and the complex relationships we negotiate within it. Her technically accomplished work marries the tactile authority of the handmade with complex psychological narratives and a genuine quest for harmony and understanding.
Her work can be found in many public and private collections nationally and throughout the Northwest. Her project, Nearer Nature, received support from the Creative Heights Initiative of the Oregon Community Foundation. The resulting six-hour video, “Worth Your Salt,” was screened online during her virtual residency with the Portland Art Museum and was added to its permanent collection.
Kimberly Trowbridge
Artist Talk & Color Workshop: May 1, 10 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. FAC 108
Kimberly Trowbridge works with installation, paint, and performance to create psychological landscapes and large narrative paintings. A lecturer on color theory, Trowbridge is the director of The Modern Color Atelier, a multi-year painting program at Gage Academy of Art, Seattle. She has led plein-air painting tours in Spain, Portugal, and Twisp, Washingon. She is currently developing work in the Pacific Northwest and the Mojave Desert and is writing her first book on color.
Trowbridge, who has developed a practice of traveling and oil painting directly from nature, says, “On the field is where I cultivate a deep and sensitive awareness of color interaction. I consider these field works my ‘primary documents,’ and they help inform my larger, narrative paintings.” She added: “I use stage-like, pastoral settings to create visual allegories of our physical and spiritual connection to the natural world.”
Mark R. Smith’s art utilizes textiles as a way to examine and understand social structures. He will talk about teaching, collaboration, and public art. His current studio practice involves using recycled textiles which he incorporates into labor-intensive, densely patterned motifs that reference communal architecture, crowd dynamics and the behavioral aspects of social organisms.
His work has been featured in institutions across the U.S. His solo exhibitions include Gallery Hlemmur, Reykjavik, Iceland; the Office of the Governor, Salem, Oregon, and the Elizabeth Leach Gallery in Portland, Oregon. His work is included in several public and private collections, including the American Embassy, Accra, Ghana; City Arts Inc., New York; King County Public Art Collection, Meta, Seattle, Washington; Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon; and Nike Inc., Beaverton, Oregon.
Clark College students Kai Welch and James Simina volunteered at the event.
Clark hosted the Eighth Annual Pacific Northwest Japan Bowl on March 15. Organized by the Japan-America Society of Oregon (JASO), the event welcomed over 100 high school students from twelve schools across Oregon and Washington. This year was the largest Pacific Northwest Japan Bowl to date.
Clark College welcomed over 100 high school students from across Oregon and Washington for the 8th Annual Pacific Northwest Japan Bowl on March 15. Organized by the Japan-America Society of Oregon (JASO), this year’s competition was the largest yet, bringing together students to test their knowledge of Japanese language, culture, and history.
In addition to competing, participants attended a college fair, where Clark students, including volunteers Kai Welch and James Simina, shared their experiences and encouraged future language learners.
Not only do competing teams test their knowledge of arts, culture, geography, and language, but they get to attend a college fair to learn about schools and network with other students.
Two Clark students, Kai Welch and James Simina, volunteered at the event. James shared his experience learning Japanese at Clark with prospective high school students during the college fair.
2025 Results
Level 2 1st Churchill High School (OR) 2nd International School of Beaverton (OR) 3rd Woodinville High School (WA)
Level 3 1st Westview High School (OR) 2nd Woodinville High School (WA) 3rd Bothell High School (WA)
Level 4 1st Sunset High School (OR) 2nd Bothell High School (WA) 3rd International School of Beaverton (OR)
Organized by the Japan-America Society of Oregon (JASO), the event welcomed over 100 high school students from twelve schools across Oregon and Washington. This year was the largest Pacific Northwest Japan Bowl to date.
About the Pacific Northwest Japan Bowl
The largest regional quiz competition on Japanese language and culture, the Japan Bowl invites 100+ high schoolers across Oregon and Washington to compete together. It’s run by the Japan-America Society of Oregon (JASO). Every year, the top teams go on to compete at the national level in Washington, D.C.
The anticipation was sky-high in the Clark College STEM Building on March 11. Engineering students gathered near the drop tower in the three-story foyer and waited.
Students gather around the drop tower in the STEM building to watch the tests.
“Doors closing,” announced a student with a clipboard. The countdown began: “5, 4, 3, 2, 1!”
All eyes turned upward.
Then—whoosh! A robotic lunar rover plummeted from three stories above. Gasps filled the air as its parachute deployed, sending the rover gliding gently toward the ground.
Now for the real test: Would it land in one piece? Could it navigate the terrain, scoop up moon rocks (a.k.a. plastic balls), and cross the finish line—all on its own power?
Every term, engineering professors Tina Barsotti and Carol Hsu pose a real-world problem to their students and instruct them to design and build an object that solves the problem. Teams of students work together. At the end of each term, teams present their prototype to their peers, explaining their process and materials used. Finally, teams test their designs.
The Project Artemis Challenge
Engineering students were given this challenge during winter term:
Design an autonomous device that can withstand a three-story drop, collect as many gumballs as possible, and move to a designated end zone within the time limit.
Designed with NASA’s Project Artemis in mind, the purpose of this device is to collect geological samples from the moon’s surface.
To simulate landing on the moon, student engineers dropped their rovers from the STEM Building’s three-story drop tower. Most teams designed a parachute to slow the fall. If the vehicle survived the drop, its mission was to pick up as many gumballs as possible (simulating moon rocks) and cross the finish line—without human intervention.
Team The Unnamed protected their robot rover from the fall with thick padding inside a cardboard box.Team The Unnamed explains that an Elegoo board is the brains of their robot rover.
Professor Carol Hsu said, “This project is particularly challenging as it requires withstanding a drop before completing a task. However, students consistently rise to the challenge and gain invaluable experience.” She added, “One of my students shared, ‘My daughter became interested in learning more about robotics after watching the competition!’”
During the winter engineering challenge, some teams’ projects succeeded and made it across the finishing line with “lunar rocks.” But a larger number didn’t survive the three-story drop. One of those teams, Isaac Newton’s Dog Diamond, gathered the pieces of their broken lunar rover and carried them back to a table to assess the damage.
One group reported: “We learned that the trial-and-error process does, in fact, involve error. These experiences taught us the importance of adaptability and persistence in problem-solving. If we were to do this project again, we’d spend more time on testing and making prototypes to improve the design.”
Designing within Engineering Parameters
Each team was required to design and build their vehicle to adhere to strict parameters.
Design specifications:
Size: Must fit within a 35 cm x 35 cm x 35 cm box
Weight: Must weigh less than 2.0 kg
Power source: Must be self-contained in the device
Mobility: Must be fully autonomous
Design: Must be students’ own design, outside of motor components
Cost: Must cost less than $100
Materials: Student engineers used a variety of materials including 3D printed filament, balsa wood, CDs, modeling clay, threaded metal rods, and various kinds of wheels and axles. Designs also incorporated electronics or a motor and power box within the body of the robot, and a parachute to reduce the descent speed.
Teams: Engineering students comprised 18 teams including The Argonauts, Imperfectly Designed, Robo Legs, Robo Rangers, Sisters in Science, Innovation Nation, Safety Hazards, Blue Moon, and Isaac Newton’s Dog Diamond.
Team PAALM presents their robotic rover design before testing it.
Throughout the morning, all 18 teams presented their designs and then climbed the stairs to test their projects in the drop tower. After testing their autonomous vehicle, students examined what worked, what didn’t, and how they would improve it.
One group reflected: “Looking back on this project, we learned that we are all very early in our engineering careers and there is still a lot to learn. Designing and building a fully autonomous vehicle is difficult and an intricate process. Also, Open AI is a very useful tool…that can be used to create code for the purpose we need. If we were to do this project over again, we would have learned about our team members’ knowledge and backgrounds before assembling the team so we could create a team with more diverse skills and experience.”
Another group reported: “We utilized our engineering knowledge and available tools to optimize our machine’s efficiency. As we deepen our understanding of engineering coding, we recognize that programming could significantly improve our design.”
Far left: Carol Hsu and Tina Barsotti listen to the student presentations.
Early Pi Day Celebration
After all the tests were completed, the students celebrated Pi Day early—with free pizza followed by apple and cherry pies baked by students in Clark’s McClaskey Culinary Institute.
Professor Tina Barsotti said, “True engineering talent emerges from embracing failure, learning from it, and using it to build something stronger, smarter, and more resilient. We must celebrate our failures as they are our connection to innovation.”
Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish and Carly Rae Zent
Connecting Pathways to Health Care Careers
Dean of Business and Health Services at Clark College, Scot Headley introduces a panel.
More than 75 healthcare professionals, educators and workforce development experts gathered for an inaugural Healthcare Pathways Education and Industry Summit at Clark College Columbia Tech Center on March 7. With a shared goal of expanding healthcare career pathways and partnerships in Southwest Washington, the event buzzed with new connections, strategic discussions, and plans for future collaborations.
Host agencies included Clark College Health Sciences unit, Washington State Allied Health Center of Excellence, Workforce Southwest Washington and Career Connect Southwest, a program of Educational Service District 112.
A panel speaks about workforce and educator partnerships.
Building pathways with partners
Scot Headley, dean of Business and Health Services at Clark College, said, “We view this event as the next step in bringing more collaboration and alignment in raising awareness and building pathways into healthcare careers amongst the various educational agencies, colleges, community organizations, and employers. I am grateful for our partnership with ESD 112 and Career Connect Southwest and for the faculty and staff at Clark who are willing to invest their time, energy, and creativity into building these pathways.”
This cross-sector gathering addressed the following objectives:
Share successes and challenges of existing programs
Develop a regional roadmap for healthcare career awareness
Plan community engagement strategies
Identify quick-turn and long-term solutions to workforce challenges
The event included two panel discussions. Additionally, during a collaborative small-group work session, group members considered these questions:
Given the current healthcare workforce shortages, what innovative strategies or partnerships have you seen succeed in attracting and retaining talent, including in rural areas?
How can the healthcare industry collaborate more effectively with educational institutions to ensure students are graduating with the skills and certifications needed to meet immediate labor demands?
What emerging trends in healthcare (e.g., technology, aging population) do you foresee having the most significant impact on the types of roles and skills needed in the next 5-10 years, and how should education systems adapt to these changes?
What resources and opportunities could be made available to educators and students to acquaint them with opportunities and needs within healthcare?
A panelist answers a question.
Summit discoveries
Groups collaborated and wrote their answers and ideas on whiteboards, including these:
Build strategic partnerships for developing allied health programs
Create incumbent worker pathways
Provide resources to K-12 faculty to understand and present health care pathways to students
Lack of capacity from employers and education to build and deliver systems for career exploration and preparation
Clinical experience is valuable
After robust discussions, it was clear what is needed in moving forward:
More partnerships between education and industry
Improved communication between education and industry partners
More clearly defined career pathways for students, including those who do not plan to earn a four-year degree
More hands-on opportunities for students, via career days, externships, paid internships, and more
Left to right: Event organizers Chad Mullen, Scot Headley, and Vickei Hrdina.
Partner feedback
Vickei Hrdina, Director of K12 Workforce and Higher Ed Partnerships, Educational Service District 112 and executive director of Career Connect Southwest: “This Summit has been instrumental in strengthening collaboration between K-12, higher education, and industry leaders. By developing a clear roadmap for aligning high school Career and Technical Education with post-secondary training and real workforce needs, we’ve taken a significant step toward building a more seamless talent pipeline. This model will not only guide regional efforts but also serve as a framework for other high-demand sectors.”
Chad Mullen, Career Connect Southwest network manager: “The need for strong and reciprocal relationships between industry and education was clear at this summit. When we work together to increase our efforts to help our students explore, prepare for, and launch into many career pathways in healthcare, we can help those students envision and pursue their future in the field.”
Sean Moore, senior project manager, healthcare, Workforce Southwest Washington, also is a member of several health care advisory boards at Clark College: “By bringing together employers, union representatives, community partners, high school and college educators ensures we are all focused on developing in-demand, career pathway/living wage opportunities for emerging talent to meet the needs of our Southwest Washington healthcare workforce.”
Paul Huddleston, dean of students at Cascadia Tech Academy: “Getting industry and education in the same room is fantastic. I’m looking to improve our program, to provide our students opportunities to explore careers, and to equip our students with the skillset industry is looking for.”
John Armerding, health sciences teacher, Columbia River High School, Vancouver School District: “My primary goal here is to figure out next steps for my students. It’s important to recognize that four years of college is not for everyone.”
Andrew Goss, health sciences teacher, Heritage High School, Evergreen School District: “I want to find more opportunities for my students. I want to learn what gaps do I need to focus on to prepare my students?”
Kelly Stellrecht, Washington State Opportunity Scholarships: “We are trying to make more connections with employers and students.”
Jess Friason, Legacy Health: “How can we provide more opportunities to middle school and high school students? How can what we offer complement a high school’s needs?”
Participate in a future summit
Contact Scot Headley, dean of Business and Health Services at Clark College
Left to right: Admissions Recruiter Gaby Posteuca, keynote speaker Vita Blanco, and Entry Services Program Manager Amy Tam.
Clark College Entry Services and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion welcomed approximately 160 students from local high schools to the annual Discovering College Confidence event on March 11. This annual event provides opportunities for BIPOC high school students to participate in a series of activities meant to:
Address the excitements and fears around college
Explore pathways and supports available in the college environment
Discover how embracing your identity can enhance your college experience
The day kicked off with a powerful keynote from Clark College alumna Esmeralda “Vita” Blanco, who shared her inspiring academic journey from high school diploma to higher education success. Students then participated in interactive workshops, engaging activities, and prize giveaways—all designed to help them envision a future in higher education.
The event’s workshops included:
Navigating Financial Aid & Scholarships with Confidence
Your Well-Being, Your Power: Taking Charge of your Mental & Physical Health
Empower Your Voice: Choosing Careers That Align with Your Values
Success in College: Learning Your Voice
Running Start: Own Your Voice, Own Your Future
Participating schools in Clark County included Battle Ground, Evergreen, Fort Vancouver, Henrietta Lacks, Heritage, Hockinson, Hudson’s Bay, Mountain View, Prairie and Union high schools.
Amy Tam introduces Vita Blanco as she comes to the stage.
Keynote Address
Vita Blanco, a Latina, single mom, and woman of faith addressed the high school audience with her academic story that started at Clark College as an adult student in the high school diploma program, continuing for an associate of applied science degree, then transferring to Washington State University Vancouver to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Here are excerpts from Blanco’s address:
“On my third day [at Clark College]…I shared with Sam [May-Varas], ‘I’m not returning tomorrow. Thank you so much.’ And that was such a pivotal moment because I was able to be open and real—even though I didn’t want to, and I was very ashamed, and that I didn’t know how to do the homework. He sat with me, he told me that he believed in me, and that what I did in that homework was the reason why I needed to be here…It took just one teacher, one person to believe in me, in the classroom…I knew that I was supposed to be here.”
“I had a high school GPA of 1.7. I was a dropout. Fast forward to when I graduated with my high school diploma with a 4.0—but better yet, I was able to help my youngest daughter. She asked me the week before I was going to graduate. ‘Mom, will you help me with my eighth-grade essay,’ and for the first time, I was able to show up for her and help her with her homework. That was such a joy to remember.”
Blanco continued studying at Clark College and worked as a Student Ambassador. In 2019 she graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administration and was awarded the Community College Presidents’ Scholarship to attend Washington State University Vancouver. Read her story here.
She said, “I started that fall…to get my undergraduate degree—I thought, yes, I learned everything at Clark College, but I had learned in a few months in that I had imposter syndrome. I thought, ‘man, this is hard, this is harder than I thought,’ but I began to persevere as I learned about imposter syndrome. Maybe it was some of my voices of upbringing, my community, my voices inside of me, and not feeling that I belong there. But I kept showing up.”
“I believe that Clark College has really, really been able to help me overcome those fears and doubts and barriers that I faced.”
Blanco ended her speech by asking the audience to stand up.
“Stand up because your worth being seen and heard.… your story matters, your voice matters, you matter, and your work is being seen and heard.”
After graduating from Washington State University Vancouver with a bachelor’s degree in integrated strategic communication, where Blanco served as student body president, she is now working for a local dentist managing a team of employees. She credits her time as a Student Ambassador working under Amy Tam as valuable experience.
“Amy [Tam] was my boss, and it was the grace that she showed me over and over again that I thought, what am I doing? How I’m showing up, I don’t even know what I’m doing. And it was pretty amazing. I knew I knew how to help and love people, but she showed me grace over and over and that grace today still just reminds me how to show grace to others.”
Schools can contact the Welcome Center at start@clark.edu to learn about future events, inquire about campus tours, and how to get started at Clark College.
