News - Local News

POSTED: Monday, Oct. 12, 2009

Five named to board of Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington announced the appointment of Bob O’Brien, Cyndie Shepard, Janet Lippert, Chris Farkas and Jacob Petz to its board of directors.

O’Brien is production manager at the Shell oil refinery. His previous volunteer experience includes coaching baseball and basketball, and serving in his church as a small group Bible leader and deacon.

Shepard is an educator at Western Washington University; she is also married to the university’s president. She has an extensive background in education and mentoring, having taught for 36 years at K-12 and college levels. Shepard co-founded the Phuture Phoenix Program at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and is in the process of establishing a similar program at Western.

Lippert is an accountant with Samson Rope Technologies Inc. She has previously volunteered with the New York Police Department.

Farkas, a real estate agent with Exit Realty in Bellingham, previously volunteered with the Junior League in South Carolina and Utah.

An account executive with Oasys Inc., Petz joined the board after serving in the agency’s School Buddies Program. His other community service includes being a youth sports coach for football, basketball and track and field.

The Kiwanis Club of Bellingham held its 87th annual installation banquet on Sept. 25.

Officers for the 2009-2010 Kiwanis year are President Jim Carney, Gateway Center Executive Suites; President-elect Barbara Audley, retired from Western Washington University; Secretary Emily Citron, retired physician; Treasurer Vaughn Hagen of Vaughn Hagen CPA; and Past President Rich Everson, United Way.

Board of directors Lyla Tjoelker, retired; John Wilson, Wilson Furniture; Ralph Gardner, Gardner Life and Health Service; John Howe, retired; Anita Jackson, retired; Dr. Bruce Jorgensen, Jorgensen Family Chiropractic; Russ Weston, retired; and Chelsea Roy, Wachovia Securities.

U.S. Air Force Airman Ivyjo Breshears graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. The daughter of Kenneth Breshears of Sumas, she is a 2007 graduate of Nooksack Valley High School.

Whatcom Weavers Guild has presented the YWCA with a gift of handmade mug rugs with coordinating coffee mugs, enough for each of its current 36 residents. Over the course of the summer, guild members came up with a variety of mug rugs, some of which were woven, some felted, and some quilted.

Four students at Lynden High School have earned AP Scholar awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on their AP Exams.

Two students — Averyl Shindruk and Stephanie Vis — qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four of more of the exams.

Two other students — Amanda Hack and Andrea Rempel — qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three of more AP exams with a grade of 3 or higher.