Mia Beightol with her NWAC Runner of the Year ring.
Mia Beightol earned NWAC Runner of the Year after finishing first in her 3K run at the Fall 2024 Women’s Cross-Country Championships. She finished the run with a time of 18:18:4, winning by over 14 seconds.
Beightol’s win helped catapult the entire Penguins women’s cross-country team to second place at the championships overall. She was also the Southern Regional Champion with a time of 18:35.6.
Left to right: Mia shows her ring to Chair Denise Gideon, President Dr. Karin Edwards, Vice Chair Marilee Scarbrough, and Cristhian Canseco Juárez.
She was recognized with a championship ring at the Clark Board of Trustees’ meeting on February 26. Clark President Dr. Karin Edwards presented her the ring as an audience full of supporters and her parents watched over Zoom.
While Beightol herself was humble, the women’s cross-country coach Owen Frasier—who also received the 2024 NWAC Southern Region Men’s Coach of the Year—made sure the trustees understood what an accomplishment this was.
With emotion in his voice, he shared with the trustees that Beightol was not only an excellent athlete but academically accomplished, with a 3.7 GPA. He also shared that his own daughter looks up to Beightol for being a great, kind person.
This is the second year in a row that Clark College won the honor of NWAC Runner of the Year, the 2023 honoree was Sydnee Boothby.
The Northwest Athletic Conference is the parent organization for thirty-six (36) community colleges located in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada. It is the mission of the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) to foster athletic participation in an environment that supports equitable opportunities for student-athletes consistent with the educational objectives of member colleges. (From NWAC’s website)
Photos: Clark College/Carly Rae Zent
Roots to Excellence
Speakers included, left to right: Tanisha Harris representing Senator Maria Cantwell’s office, a representative from the Portland Trailblazers, and a keynote from Erin Jones.
We were honored to welcome around 50 Black/African American high school students to Clark College on February 20. Hosted by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the event provided students with a welcoming space to explore higher education pathways, connect with mentors, and take the first steps toward their future.
Held during Black History Month, the Roots to Excellence event introduced local Black students and students of African descent to Clark as a pathway to higher education and future careers. Students also learned the necessary steps to enroll at Clark.
The event was organized by Clark’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, NAACP, ACT-SO Vancouver, Vancouver Public Schools, and Evergreen Public Schools.
We were pleased to have students from Union High School, Henrietta Lacks High School, and Fort Vancouver High School join us to celebrate Black History Month and learn about exciting opportunities for their future.
Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vanessa Neal said, “These events are so affirming for the students who attend. It’s so important to be in community and create spaces of belonging for all, especially those who are most historically marginalized. Those who attended shared that they were thankful for the opportunity to engage in this event. Moreover, students felt seen.”
Sitting at tables in Gaiser Student Center, the high school students listened to inspiring messages from Dr. Edwards, who gave a warm welcome to the high school students. Additionally, students heard messages from Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Vanessa Neal and Vice President of Instruction Dr. Terry Brown. Tanisha Harris delivered a message from Senator Maria Cantwell and a representative from the Portland Trailblazers shared valuable information about job opportunities.
The event was highlighted by Erin Jones’ powerful keynote address, “Roots to Excellence: A Journey to Clark College.” Jones is a teacher, speaker, and the author of Bridge to Heal US: Stories and Strategies for Racial Healing. Jones also spoke at Clark during Staff Development Days in August 2024.
We were also thrilled to have MarcusAntonio Gunn, who performed the Black Anthem, Lift Ev’ry Voice. The history of the song, often referred to as “The Black National Anthem.” The lyrics were written in 1900 by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson; his brother, John Rosamond Johnson, composed the music.
The event included a performance from Anasi Beat Drums.
Additionally, students had an enriched experience engaging with the Anasi Beat Drums who performed traditional dances and songs from Ghana, West Africa, and the wobble dance. The students truly immersed themselves in the performance, with many participating in the dance.
Delicious soul food was catered by Ja’Das Soulful Eatz. Following lunch, students had a guided walking tour of the campus.
Clark’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
ODEI is committed to serving all students, with a focus on systemically non-dominant groups (Jenkins, 1995-present) as they navigate Clark College. We help foster and retain a diverse college community, which includes students, faculty, and staff.
Clark College’s goal of fostering a social and equitable college community is in part directed by the State (SBCTC), which has charged all community and technical colleges to lead with racial equity. ODEI is committed to serving people from systemically non-dominant populations as they navigate Clark College by helping to foster and retain a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff.
Our office supports individuals with their academic, personal, and professional development, as well as provides training and educational resources for all members of the college community around diversity, inclusion, power, privilege, inequity, social equity, and social justice.
Volunteers, including students from the softball team, seed the bee garden at the corner of McLaughlin Blvd. and Ft. Vancouver Way.
Getting the beautiful native wildflowers that bloom across campus in spring requires the help of many hands to spread seeds.
Volunteers follow Steven Clark through the Japanese Friendship Garden on the way to the planting site.
Despite rescheduling due to snowy weather, volunteers from throughout Clark College donned boots, gloves, and warm clothing to sow wildflower seeds in the cold at several bee garden locations on campus on February 19 and 20. Even the softball team organized to come out.
They sowed a variety of native seeds including yarrow, camas, lupine, Oregon sunshine, Clarkia, checker mallow, blue-eyed Mary, western burnet, and desert parsley. The gardens receiving fresh seeds this year are the ones that required re-tilling. Most of the time, the wildflowers will self-seed, leaving seeds on the ground to grow the following year.
Volunteers learn about the native bee population from Steven Clark.
Steven Clark, Bee Campus Project Manager, said “I love having volunteers because while bees are wonderfully self-sufficient, this is our opportunity to help them to be happy in our gardens. We broadcast the seeds by hand and it’s a fun activity to do here and to do in your own yard.”
Enjoy strolls across campus and see the Bee Campus gardens from late May to early July, peaking in June, following the flowering of the Shirofugen cherry trees in April.
Volunteers stand in front of the Clark College sign at the corner of McLaughlin Blvd. and Ft. Vancouver Way.
In April 2023, Clark College earned certification as a Bee Campus affiliate, becoming the fifth college in Washington to earn that distinction. A Bee Campus USA affiliate is a college campus that includes a bee habitat.
In the spring of 2023, students, staff, visitors, and, importantly, bees, saw native flowers sprouting up in gardens across campus. These flowers and natural areas where bees can make nests and lay eggs are helping Clark establish this bee habitat. Clark College—and other Bee Campus USA affiliates—show that the built environment (such as campuses, neighborhoods, city parks, and even roadsides) can feature a thoughtful design that allows bees to thrive in shared areas.
Have you ever wanted to dance Bollywood style in a flash mob? Now’s your chance!
The International Day planning committee is offering a free Bollywood dance lesson with Portland-based instructor, Poorna Sridhara. In this session, you’ll learn basic dance moves to a vibrant Bollywood song — so that you can hit the dance floor with confidence and join the fun in a flash mob-style performance on Thursday when we celebrate International Day. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear so that you can move around freely and come ready to dance and have some fun!
Bollywood Dance Lesson (Free!)
Monday, February 24 from noon to 1 p.m.
Gaiser Hall, Room 213
Learn the moves to a lively, upbeat Bollywood routine with Poorna Sridhara!
Limited space — first come, first served.
What is Bollywood dance?
Bollywood dance is a colorful and theatrical style that blends traditional Indian dance with contemporary Western influences. Known for its expressive movements and high energy, this dance style is a hallmark of Indian films, commonly known as Bollywood movies. Sample Bollywood dance here.
Both the Bollywood dance lesson and International Day are free events open to the entire college community. Don’t miss out on the fun!
International Day
Thursday, February 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (see estimated schedule below) Gaiser Student Center
Presented by International Programs, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Clark’s World Languages program
Enjoy the following fun, engaging, and FREE activities:
Free food from around the world!
Henna tattoos
Interactive dance demonstrations: Bollywood, Peruvian, Cumbia, and Samba
*Get ready to dance! Comfortable footwear is recommended.
About International Day
International Day is a highlight of International Education Week, a global celebration of the benefits of international education and cultural exchange. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education promotes programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from around the world to study, learn, and exchange experiences.
Members of the Washington State Diversity & Equity Officers Commission presented a panel about affirming diversity. Left to Right: Front row: Iesha Valencia, Clover Park Technical College; Dr. Consuelo Grier, Bellevue College; Vanessa Neal, Clark College. Back row: D’Andre Fisher, Seattle Colleges; Doris Martinez, Renton Technical College; Dr. Maribel Jimenez, Highline College; and MarcusAntonio Gunn, SBCTC.
The sixth annual Northwest Regional Equity Conference (NWREC), hosted by Clark College’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from February 12-14, exceeded expectations—cultivating compelling conversations, powerful learning, meaningful connections, and the deep, intentional dialogue that occurred throughout the event.
For the first time, the conference featured a full day of in-person sessions in addition to virtual sessions, responding to past attendee feedback and creating new opportunities for engagement. Over three days, more than 400 participants took part in thought-provoking presentations and workshops designed to advance equity and inclusion in our communities.
Next year’s NW Regional Equity Conference is scheduled for February 11-13, 2026.
Ijeoma Oluo, right was the keynote speaker for the in-person portion of the conference.
Ijeoma Oluo’s keynote: Make connections to do this hard work
On the opening day of the conference, attendees gathered in the Gaiser Student Center to listen to keynote speaker Ijeoma Oluo, who presented “Be a Revolution.” It is the title of her most recent book. Its subtitle is “How Everyday People are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World—and How You Can Too.” For more than an hour, the rapt audience listened as Oluo provided encouragement and practical advice woven together with her stories.
Some excerpts:
Oluo began: “I know it’s a tough time to be doing equity work in education. We have to keep fighting because not only are our educators showing up, but so are our students.”
She encouraged educators to create spaces of safety for students and teach students how to be in community with each other.
Recalling an earlier conversation with poet Saul Williams, he told her, “Not everyone wants to be alive during a revolution. Some people don’t want to fight.”
Oluo said, “It’s important to know our history. We have in our blood and bones the making of revolution. We fight systems, but we have to find our successes in the people we’re fighting for. Make connections with people who are doing equity work.”
She added, “Remember what you’re fighting for. It’s so easy to be consumed by what we’re fighting against.”
Stating that systemic racism robs us of time, she said, “Now that racism is really at the doorstep of everyone, it’s suddenly an emergency. It’s important that we take this deeper. We have to start building accountability. It’s important to recognize how exhausting this work can be.”
Oluo referenced the 381-day Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott (December 1955-December 1956) that began with Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger. She asked the audience to imagine how exhausting it must have been for those who showed up for more than a year to protest racial segregation—and stopped riding the bus and instead walked everywhere. What would have happened in the civil rights movement if the protesters had given up because the work was too hard?
“How do we keep going?” she asked and then offered this practical advice: “I realized that I had to start treating my mental health as part of my job. When I start planning for my own care, I do better work. We’re going to have to treat our care as part of the work.”
Oluo said, “The work was always going to be hard. The systems were built this way. At times like this, hopelessness is a privilege. But my father survived genocide. What does hopelessness mean when I am the walking, living dream of my ancestors? I want more for us than just struggle. We must have struggle, but we also must have joy, care, connection, love.”
She encouraged people to seek community: “Invite people to join you in this work. We survive by working together. We share resources. We protect each other. We’re going to need each other in these times ahead.”
Thursday virtual fireside chat: Dr. Bettina Love, author and William F. Russell Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. Vanessa Neal facilitated an engaging dialogue with Dr. Love about various aspects of her New York Times best-selling book, Punished for Dreaming. Learn more about Dr. Love here.
Friday virtual keynote: “JT” Jasmin Marie Mageno Torres presented “Beats of Liberation: Hip Hop, Education, and Decolonizing My Story.” JT advocates for equity for students at West Valley College in Saratoga, California.
Colleges/educational institutions that presented workshops included:
Ball State University
Bellevue College
Cascadia College
Clark College
Clover Park Technical College
Columbia Basin College
Columbia University
Edmonds College
Highline College
Lane Community College
Lewis & Clark College
Lower Columbia College
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
Oregon Health & Science University
Pierce College
Portland Community College
Portland Public Schools
Renton Technical College
Seattle Colleges
Shoreline Community College
South Seattle College
Tacoma Community College
University of Washington
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC)
Washington State Diversity and Equity Officers Commission
If you’re a fan of Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Lurch, Cousin Itt, and Thing, you’re in for a treat. The Addams Family is coming to Clark College’s Decker Theatre. The Addams Family, a Broadway musical comedy, will be presented at Clark College on February 28, March 1, 6, 7, and 8. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.
Summary: The Addams Family, a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and it’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family– a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before– keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.
Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice wrote the book. Andrew Lippa wrote the music and lyrics for the songs “When You’re an Addams,” “Wednesday’s Growing Up,” “One Normal Night,” “Tango de Amor,” and many others.
Decker Theatre Crew
Dr. Gene Biby, program director, oversees all elements of the season’s productions.
Lisa Conklin-Bishop is directing this production.
Mark Owsley, technical director, oversees all technical elements in every production.
Kyra Sanford is the scenic designer, scene shop foreman, and scenic artist.
Galatia France is the costume designer.
“This show has been on our radar for a couple of years. We felt this was a great time to produce this show, given the popularity of the television show, ‘Wednesday,’” said Biby. “We had also chosen two rather serious plays as our fall and spring shows and wanted a light-hearted comedy for the winter quarter.”
He is correct about the popularity of the Wednesday series on Netflix, which is among the most-watched series on the streaming service. The Addams Family has been popular since cartoonist Charles Samuel Addams introduced his eccentric, macabre characters to readers of The New Yorker in the 1930s. The Addams Family evolved into a 1964 television series with a catchy theme song (see the lyrics at the end of this story), and then spun off into animated TV programs, theatrical films, video games, and a Broadway musical.
Clark College’s Decker Theatre is one of more than 200 theatrical productions of the musical in 2025 throughout the U.S. and also in Canada, Cambodia, Italy, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Decker Theatre in Frost Arts Center on Clark’s main campus. Please enter through the front entrance, and go through the lobby, and the theatre entrance is located in the southeast corner of the courtyard.
Tickets:
General admissions: $12
Senior Citizens (60+): $10
Clark students, faculty, and staff: Free by providing Clark ID
Origin: The Addams Family characters were created in the 1930s by American cartoonist Charles Samuel Addams who created a series of 150 stand-alone single-panel comics that featured a cast of macabre characters who became known as the Addams Family. About half of his comics were published in the New Yorker over 50 years until his death in 1988.
Franchise Timeline includes:
Television
Original TV series, 1964-1966: The Addams Family TV series, based on Charles Addams’ characters, aired for two seasons, with all 64 episodes filmed in black and white. The lead of Gomez Addams was played by John Astin; Morticia Addams was played by Carolyn Jones.
Animated TV series: The New Addams Family (1973) and The Addams Family (1998-1999) both produced by Hanna-Barbera and aired on Saturday mornings.
The Netflix series, Wednesday (2022) stars Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams.
Theatrical films
Series of live-action theatrical films, the 1990s: The Addams Family (1991); Addams Family Values (1993); Adams Family Reunion (1998), all starring Raul Julia as Gomez, Angelica Houston as Morticia, Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester, and Christina Ricci as Wednesday.
Animated theatrical films: The Addams Family (2019) and The Addams Family 2 (2021)
Broadway musical: A musical comedy adaptation, The Addams Family, opened on Broadway in 2010. It starred Nathan Lane as Gomez Addams and Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia Addams. It closed on December 31, 2011, after 35 previews and 722 performances.
Video games: At least seven video games based on The Addams Family released between 1989 and 2022 on various game consoles
The Addams Family Trivia:
Q: What is Wednesday Addams’ middle name?
A: Friday
Q: Which Oscar Award-winning actress provided the voice of the character Pugsley in the 1973 animated TV series The Addams Family?
A: Jodie Foster
Q. Can you sing the Addams Family Theme Song from the 1964 TV series?
The Addams Family Theme Song (This song is not in the musical production to be performed at Clark College.)
Composer Vic Mizzy wrote and arranged the theme for the 1964 “The Addams Family” TV series. Mizzy was a longtime composer for Hollywood films and television programs. The song’s arrangement was dominated by a harpsichord and a bass clarinet, and featured finger snaps as percussive accompaniment. Regardless of the quality of your voice, finger snaps are required. Sing along to the original theme song here
The Addams Family theme song (1964)
They’re creepy and they’re kooky Mysterious and spooky They’re all together ooky The Addams family
Their house is a museum When people come to see ’em They really are a screa–um The Addams family
Neat…Sweet…Petite…
So, put a witch’s shawl on A broomstick you can crawl on We’re gonna play a call on The Addams family
Winter Students of Color Luncheon
Left to right: Dr. Terry Brown, Dr. Karin Edwards, student speaker Chishayla Kimmons, scholarship recipient Navjot Hundal, and Vanessa Neal.
Chishayla Kimmons’ educational journey has been anything but ordinary—but that’s exactly what makes it so inspiring. As the president of Clark College’s Black Student Union and a soon-to-be graduate in business and marketing, Kimmons took center stage at the Winter Students of Color Luncheon on February 6 to share her story of perseverance, purpose, and resilience. From navigating multiple colleges to finding her home at Clark, she embodies the power of determination and the impact of community.
The free event is presented each term by Clark’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Multicultural Student Affairs. The purpose of the student luncheons is to allow students and employees to hear inspiring stories, connect with faculty, meet new friends, consider different career paths, and identify community resources and potential mentors.
President of the college’s Black Student Union, Kimmons’ educational journey hasn’t been linear and has never been traditional. She started at Portland Community College and then attended Arizona State University. Next, she enrolled at Aveda Institute and currently is a student at Clark College. Her goal has always been to focus and finish what she started, even if she couldn’t finish where she initially started. She says her motto will always be to never give up while inspiring others.
Dr. Edwards wrote in her weekly email to faculty and staff: “I had the pleasure of attending the Students of Color Luncheon, where Chishayla Kimmons, who will graduate in June with degrees in business and marketing, shared her journey. After enrolling in several colleges, Chishayla found her place here at Clark. She expressed her appreciation for all the college has provided her.”
Q & A with Chishayla Kimmons
Q: How has your career path changed since you attended your first college classes at Portland Community College?
CK: Since attending my first college classes at Portland Community College, my focus has always been business. Now, I am heavily focused on business and marketing.
Q: Along your journey, did you experience an obstacle that made you change your course—and it turned out to be a better option for you?
CK: Having a child changed that course for me. Prior, I allowed life and outside factors to get in the way and to shift my focus, which resulted in me dropping out of college the first time. Having a child brought that initial hunger back. Now I am enrolled at Clark College, which in turn was a better overall option for me.
Q: What have you learned along your educational journey that you’d like to pass on as advice to Clark College students who are unsure of their career path?
CK: Something that I have learned is to try all the things! You don’t have to fit in a box. If you want to be an astronaut, be one. If you want to be an astronaut and a chef, be that! You may find that along your journey, you want to switch courses and that is okay too! Keep trying until you find that career that best suits you and who you are today!
Q:What other encouragement do you offer to students?
CK:
Remember: It is never too late!
Never, ever give up!
Focus and finish!
You got this!
Scholarships Awarded
Left to right: Dr. Terry Brown, Dr. Karin Edwards, scholarship recipients Mercy Kariuki and Navjot Hundal, and Vanessa Neal.
Two Clark students were awarded scholarships during the Students of Color Luncheon:
Mercy Kariuki, a student enrolled in the Pre-Nursing DTA program, was awarded the Constance Baker Motley Scholarship.
Navjot Hundal, a student enrolled in the Dental Hygienist program, was awarded a DREAMers Scholarship.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) offers these and other scholarships in partnership with the Foundation and the community. Apply at the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by emailing Rosalba Pitkin at rpitkin@clark.edu or calling 360-992-2672.
SAVE THE DATE: Next DEI luncheon
March 6 at noon: Students with Disability Luncheon in PUB 161
Connect with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI):
Rotarians from Clark County at the Advanced Manufacturing Center in Ridgefield, WA. Photo credit: Kathy Chennault.
Rotarians from around Clark County joined Clark College Foundation and Clark College for a tour of the new Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) at Boschma Farms on February 4. Located just east of the Ridgefield Junction, the building will welcome its first general education classes during spring term. The Advanced Manufacturing program is under development.
Angela Torretta, above, of Clark College Foundation welcomed the Rotarians: “Clark College at Boschma Farms exists due to community demand. The college has been in conversation with individuals and organizations in Clark County who have shared the need for a local training center to provide skills to the current and future advanced manufacturing workforce.”
Next, Amy Easton, president of the Rotary Club of Greater Clark County, stood on the steps of the AMC and greeted her fellow Rotarians: “This is a unique opportunity for all seven Clark County Rotary clubs to come together, foster collaboration, and celebrate our shared commitment to supporting education and strengthening connections within our community.”
Jay Schmidt, board chair of the High-Tech Council and Clark College’s Advanced Manufacturing Advisory Committee, paraphrased Dr. Terry Brown, Clark’s vice president of instruction: “This building will be a great place for experiential learning.”
Then the Rotarians divided into groups for a guided tour of the state-of-the-art building. They toured the classrooms equipped with the latest advanced manufacturing technology, the light-filled general education classrooms with high ceilings and tall windows, the quality assurance lab, the computer lab, and the collaboration spaces. They also toured conference rooms and other spaces that will be available for the community to rent for meetings, community groups, and other events.
The tour ended in the impressive high bay—the heart of the building. Here students will learn the fundamentals of advanced manufacturing, which is a network of automated technology designed to produce products with high efficiency in manufacturing processes, while reducing lead times, materials, and manufacturing defects.
Will Zander, above far left, director of the new Advanced Manufacturing program, stood in the enormous high bay and pointed out the equipment to the Rotarians.
In the next 10 years, the region of southwest Washington and northwest Oregon anticipates a shortage of 1,755 advanced manufacturing technicians. Designed with input from industry partners, this high-bay, and the entire Advanced Manufacturing Center, is where students will gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities to step into an in-demand career and meet the growing industry need.
Soon, Clark College’s Advanced Manufacturing Center at Boschma Farms will be a hub of experiential learning that will train the workforce for tomorrow.
All seven Rotary clubs in Clark County were present:
Rotary Club of Greater Clark County
Rotary Club of Vancouver
Rotary Club of Vancouver Sunrise
Rotary Club of Battle Ground
Rotary Club of Camas-Washougal
Rotary Club of Lewis River
Rotary Club of Three Creeks
Left: The AMC features dots on the glass to keep birds from flying into the windows. Right: The heart of the building is a two-story or “high bay” area for students to learn advanced manufacturing with state-of-the-art equipment.
Q & A with Amy Easton, president, the Rotary Club of Greater Clark County
Jay Schmidt from the High Tech Council gives insight on the purpose of the building to the Rotarians. Photo: Clark College/Maureen Chan-Hefflin
It was Amy Easton’s idea to offer Rotarians a tour of the AMC.
Q: Why did you decide Rotarians should tour the AMC?
AE: Rotarians are deeply committed to supporting education, workforce development, and community engagement, so when I learned about the new Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) at Clark College, I saw a great opportunity for all seven Clark County Rotary clubs to come together and experience this transformative project firsthand.
The AMC represents a major investment in technical education and job training, which aligns with Rotary’s mission to foster economic development and strengthen communities. I wanted our members to see how this facility will prepare students for in-demand careers, and how Rotary can continue to support initiatives that create lasting impact in our region.
Q: When did you reach out to the Foundation?
AE: I first connected with the Clark College Foundation last summer to explore the possibility of organizing a tour for Rotarians. From the start, the Foundation was enthusiastic about the idea, and we worked closely to coordinate an event that would give Rotarians an inside look at the facility before it officially opens to students. The collaboration was fantastic, and we’re so grateful to the Foundation for helping make this event happen.
Q: What do you think about the Advanced Manufacturing Center and Clark College having a presence in Ridgefield/North Clark County?
AE: The Advanced Manufacturing Center is a game-changer for Ridgefield and North Clark County. It not only expands Clark College’s reach but also creates new opportunities for students, local businesses, and the workforce in this growing region.
By providing hands-on training in advanced manufacturing and skilled trades, the AMC will help bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring that students graduate with the skills needed to succeed in high-demand careers.
Having this state-of-the-art facility in Ridgefield means that local students and employers alike will benefit from a stronger, more connected pipeline of talent, boosting economic growth in North Clark County and beyond.
2025 Jazz Festival winner of the Beacock Sweepstakes prize is the Mountain View High School Jazz I Band.
The Clark College 61st Annual Jazz Festival is in the books! Thanks to the student musicians, band directors, chaperons, family, and community members who attended the 61st Annual Clark College Jazz Festival from January 30 through February 1. Nearly 60 middle school and high school jazz bands performed for an appreciative audience at the world-class jazz festival.
The festival’s top award, the 2025 Dale Beacock Memorial Sweepstakes trophy, was awarded to Mountain View High School Jazz I of Vancouver, Wash.
Highlights from Thursday’s performances.
The jazz bands represented middle schools and high schools from a large region. Although many of the student musicians live in Clark County or the Portland metro area, many came from much further away —from as far north as Port Angeles, Washington, as far east as Yakima, and as far south as San Jose, California. Here is an overview of the participating jazz bands:
Middle school jazz bands: 13 bands total, including 8 from Clark County, and others from Portland, Chehalis, Lacey, and Seattle
High school “A” division: 6 bands total, including 2 from Clark County, and others from White Salmon, Port Angeles, and Langley
High school “AA” division: 11 bands total, including 5 from Clark County, and others from Portland, Chehalis, Yakima, and Seattle
High school “AAA” division: 12 bands total, including 6 from Clark County, and others from Portland, Lake Oswego, Seattle, Lake Stevens, and Bothell
High school “AAAA” division: 10 bands total, including 4 from Clark County, and others from Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Seattle, Lake Stevens, and San Jose, California
In addition, 5 bands across all divisions performed to receive comments only, but did not compete. They represented schools in Clark County, Portland, and Yakima.
A highlight of the event was the Clark College Jazz Bands’ performances. This year, Dr. Harris debuted Jazz Band II, a second Jazz Band at Clark College.
New: Farrell Family Instrument Award
The inaugural Farrell Family Instrument Award was presented to Clark College student Ian Arellano Mendez, who received a Buffet B flat clarinet. Norman Farrell is a Ridgefield musician and community volunteer. He and his wife, Carol Tocco, see access to a high-quality instrument as an essential part of achieving excellence in the continuing pursuit of college-level musical training. This award, made at the discretion of the Music Department, will go to a promising student participating in the Jazz Band at Clark College.
Mr. Farrell explained his impetus for providing the new award: “I had the good fortune to play great instruments from an early age; they have been a crucial and joyful part of my musical life.”
Middle School Awards
Middle School Silver Division jazz ensemble:
1st place – Eckstein Middle School, Seattle, Wash.
2nd place – Wy’east Middle School, Vancouver, Wash.
3rd place – Hockinson Middle School, Brush Prairie, Wash.
Outstanding section awards:
Best trombone section: Wy’east Middle School, Vancouver, Wash.
Best trumpet section: Hockinson Middle School, Brush Prairie, Wash.
Best rhythm section: Eckstein Middle School, Seattle, Wash.
Best saxophone section: Eckstein Middle School, Seattle, Wash.
Outstanding musician awards:
Sellwood Middle School, Portland, Ore.: Archer Kleiss, Sean Hansman
View Ridge Middle School, Ridgefield, Wash.: Maddy Gilbert
Chehalis Middle School, Chehalis, Wash.: Maxton Hill, Jackson Groberg
West Valley High School, Yakima, Wash.: Keira Osburn, Hyrum Jensen
Congratulations to all the fine bands who participated! Please join us next year on the last weekend of January for the 62nd Annual Clark College Jazz Festival.
Students walk off stage, after performing for an audience of their peers, along with family and community members.
About Clark College Jazz Festival
The Clark College Jazz Festival has evolved since its beginning in 1962 when Don Cammack, Hudson’s Bay High School band director organized a one-day high school stage band invitational, the Southwest Washington Jazz Festival, at Hudson’s Bay. Over the decades, under the direction of dedicated music educators Dale Beacock, Chuck Ramsey, Richard Inouye, and Dr. Doug Harris, the festival expanded. In 1970, Beacock, then band director at both Clark College and Fort Vancouver High School, held the festival at Clark College for the first time. The Clark College Stage Band Invitational at Clark hosted 17 high school jazz bands. Beacock’s vision for a competitive jazz showcase for schools throughout Washington and greater Portland promoted the festival’s growth. In 1971, 32 bands competed over two days; participation grew to 52 bands by 1976. The 60th Annual Clark College Jazz Festival in 2024 welcomed 56 middle and high school jazz ensembles, more than 1,200 student musicians and more than 3,000 people during the three-day event, directed by Dr. Doug Harris, director of bands at Clark College.
Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley
Exploring Technology and Engineering Careers
A student chats with Career Services employees Alex Kison and Michael Caldwell about the Career Connect event.
How do Clark students who are enrolled in technology or engineering programs learn about the multitude of career paths available to them?
Who can offer them real-world insights about what it’s like working as a civil engineer in the private sector versus the public sector?
Where can students find out about paid summer internships in their field?
The answer to these questions is simple: Career Connect!
Career Connect events are open to Clark students, alumni, and community members. They provide opportunities to make connections and learn about internships, jobs, careers, and academic pathways. Clark staff, faculty, and local employers were in one place to support students. Opportunities are also regularly posted on Penguin Jobs, Clark’s online job and internship board.
Career Connect networking events provide an opportunity for Clark students in specific programs to connect with employers. At the Career Connect on February 4 in Cannell Library, students pursuing engineering and technology career paths had opportunities to meet with industry professionals and explore their career options.
Connecting with employers
Multnomah County employees talk to a Clark student about more than 50 paid summer internships
At the Multnomah County table, students were waiting to speak to the two representatives. Cole Whitehurst, who coordinates Multnomah County’s College to County Mentorship Program, had good news for Clark students. The program is hiring about 50 summer interns in a variety of county departments. The internships pay $24 per hour.
Whitehurst handed students a flyer with a QR code that linked to the internship webpage and encouraged them to apply. Applications will open March 14 and will close at 9 a.m. on April 15 deadline. It requires a resume and cover letter.
Wallis Engineering employees chat with a Clark student about civil engineering career opportunities.
At the Wallis Engineering table, an Engineer and a Recruiter spoke with a Clark engineering student who had many questions. What kinds of projects do civil engineers work on? What does the day-to-day work look like?
Similar conversations happened throughout the space as students and industry professionals talked about the opportunities in their professions.
Clark Public Utilities employees speak to a Clark student about internship and employment opportunities.
Connecting with resources
“If students would like assistance creating a resume and cover letter for any opportunity, the team at Career Services is ready to help,” said Alex Kison, Workforce and Student Engagement Navigator of Career Services.
In addition to exploring career pathways, students connected with the Career Services team, the Academic Advising department, and Student Success Coaches, learning more about the resources available in the Clark College community.
The following employers participated in the Career Connect on February 4:
Clark Public Utilities
C-Tran
edgefi
Multnomah County, Oregon
Wallis Engineering
About Career Connect
Career Connect Events are open to Clark students, alumni, and community members and provide opportunities to make connections and learn about internships, jobs, careers and academic pathways. Clark staff, faculty and local employers will all be in one place to support students.
Next Career Connect
Who: Clark students enrolled or interested in biological, social, and physical sciences or STEM. All students and community members are welcome!
When: Tuesday, February 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: STEM Building Room 156
What to expect: Local employers and industry professionals will be at these events to speak with you about what it’s like to be in their profession and engage with you in career conversations. If you are currently looking for a job or internship related to STEM fields, you are encouraged to bring your resume to share with local employers.
