The newsletter provides information on upcoming events at PSSC such as the spring calendar with dates for spring break and in-service days. It also summarizes culinary and automotive competitions held by PSSC students. Winners of the culinary competition and automotive skills competitions are listed. The newsletter highlights students who competed in the Skills USA computer programming and criminal justice competitions, with one student placing third. Finally, it recognizes top students from the third quarter and provides information on supporting the PSSC Foundation through donations and volunteering.

1. PSSC Spring Newsletter
By: Danika Olson, Digital Media Arts Student Editor
Vol. 3
Spring Calendar Culinary Competition
April 9-13th: Spring Break
April 27th: In Service/Online
May 18th: In Service/Online
May 28th: Memorial Day
First session winners: Second Session Winners:
Austin Tovar Kevin Jenkins
Sarah Pineda Sergio Zamora
Leilani Harris Aleina Galoia
Norman Sharpe Jennifer Lemus
Areil Jones Jason Cacho
Dallas Chung Isaias Torres
Chef Lucas Alan aldworth
Mortensen Jalil Frazer
Students of the Quarter Ceremony Chef Erin Larson
The PSSC Automotive
Technology Students
competed in the Puget Sound
Region Skills USA Automotive
Competitions held at the
Sno-Isle Skills Center on
Saturday March 7, 2012.
Auto Maintenance (less than 1
year of training) – Joshua Reed
& Alex Alva
Instructor Ralph McKinnon, Alex Alva, 1st Place Auto Service -
Joshua Reed, Anthony Lindsey, and Trevor Hales.
Auto Service – (more than 1 year of training) Trevor Hales & Anthony Lindsey
Joshua Reed place 1st in the Auto Maintenance competition.

2. Skills USA Competition
The DigiPen Institute of Technology hosted the regional Skills USA
Computer Programming competition at their Redmond, WA, campus on
February 11, 2012. A dozen high school students participated in boththe
Open and SkillsUSA contests.
This day-long event consisted of a written test and two
programming projects, plus free lunch. Three PSSC students took part, with
one student, Anthony Ardiente, placing 3rd in the Skills USA contest.
All SkillsUSA participants are now eligible to move on to the state
competition, which this year will be held in Renton, WA.
I am a first year Criminal Justice student at PSSC, a senior at Highline High
School. On the 25th day of February, 2012 I was a participant at the Skills
USA competition. The category I competed in was Traffic Stop and In-
terview Process. The interview was conducted by two AFIS workers. I was
asked many questions. Some of the questions they asked were “What are
your goals in life?” “What is one accomplishment that you are proud of?” I
told them that my goal in life is to join the NAVY with a position at Master of
Arms, get my degree in psychology and accounting. After I’m done with
my military service I want to work for the Tukwila Police Department and
then move up to be a K-9 officer. After my dog retires I want to apply for the
FBI and then after a few years apply for the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BUA).
One accomplishment that I am proud of is being a Tukwila Police Explorer
and finishing my basic WLEEA academy. I thought I
was not going to make it. They asked me “What posi-
tions of leadership you have had?” I am currently a
sergeant for the Tukwila Police Explorers. They were
impressed on how I had my plans in order and how
dedicated I am. The traffic stop section was not as
stressing as the interview. I conducted a traffic stop
based on probable cause because the subject was
weaving lanes. I got her ID, I ran her name. Her name
came back with a suspended license and that meant
she cannot be driving so I asked her if someone
could pick her up. I noticed she had alcohol and I
preformed a DUI field test, which she failed. That is a
felony so I arrested her.
Valentina Palma

3. Skills USA Competetors
Anthony Ardiente
A senior at Thomas Jefferson, Anthony plans to attend Highline CC
next year, and has applied to the DigiPen Institute of Technology. He likes to
play his guitar and video games. He is finishing up his second year in the Video
Game Computer Programming course at PSSC.
Kaitlin Gajdos
A senior at Mount Rainier, Kaitlin is in the marching band. She enjoys riding her
motorcycle and playing games.
Kyle Kennedy
A junior, Kyle is working hard at becoming an Eagle Scout. He plans to continue
in the Video Game Computer Programming course at PSSC.
Audrey Chavarria
Has placed in the top ten in the Extreme Redesign– Art & Architecture category
– competition sponsored by Dimension 1. He is one of six high school students of
the ten chosen for the final round of the competition in this international compe-
tition. Audrey will receive in the mail a $50 Visa gift card, along with his design in
the form of an ABS plastic model printed on a Dimension 3D Printer.

4. 3rd Quarter Students
of the Quarter
Program A.M. School P.M. School
Auto Body Technology John Cowin Choice
Automotive Technology Joshua Reed TB Joe Hebb HSHS
Construction Tyler Pickford TJ Evan Jenkins TEC
Kevin Bishop Mt. R Dylan Christiansen Mt. R
Javier Caballero Decatur
Criminal Justice Gabrielle Williams Highline Shaquan McKnight Highline
Jessica Comstock TJ
Culinary Arts Verenice Hernandez Mt. R
Ellen Montufar TJ LaVondia Brunson Global
Tyler Andrew TJ Jason Cacho Mt. R
Sarah Pineda FW
Dental Assisting Kerina Keni ACE Marisol Murillo TJ
Aranza Sanchez- Decatur Gabriela Perez TJ
Pedraza
DigiPen Animation Damon Rauscher Highline Aaron Schwald Foster
DigiPen Programming Zi Cheng Wang Decatur Kyle Kennedy Global
Digital Media Arts Willie Heard Mt. R Dylan Skeels Choice
Engineering Design Ben Maxey TB Daniel Hoberecht Foster
Erika Fomich Decatur
Fashion Design & Mkt Aasha Sagmoen Mt. R Colleen Pacholski Highline
Haley Fitzpatrick TB
Fire Services Lukas Crippen Highline Kent Campbell TJ
Marine Science & Tech- Shaunna Lumsden Big Picture Rebecca Farmer TJ
nology
Microsoft IT Academy Nicholas Brinkmeyer Global Garrett Gossage TEC
Nursing Assistant Cert. Diana Shablevskaya TB Lindsey Hanson Taho-
ma
Translation/Interpreta- Karla Herrera FW Luke Giannoulas TB
tion
Laura Piedra Foster Jennifer Son Glob-
al
Welding Careers Anthony Guthrie FW Halden Nyborg TEC

5. PSSC Foundation
Investing today…for a better tomorrow!
The PSSC Foundation (501)(c)(3) was formed in 1997 to support the programs and
students of the skills center. Currently the Foundation, through generous donations
from individuals and community organizations, has grown to a point where we are able
to significantly assist PSSC program and student activities. There are four foundation-
supported student scholarships given each year. Other Foundation provided support has
come in the way of technology support for the school and enhancing student leadership
activities. Our volunteer Foundation Officers and Board Members are committed to
furthering the opportunities and goals of PSSC!
There are a number of ways in which the community can support the PSSC Foundation:
• Cash contributions to provide student scholarships, enhance instructional
equipment and technology, and help fund faculty development programs. Donations
can also flow through the United Way.
• Donations of equipment and supplies needed to operate the highly specialized
training programs offered at the Puget Sound Skills Center.
• Providing opportunity for skills center students to intern or work at your place of
business so that they can extend their learning beyond the classroom and apply the skills
they have gained through Career & Technical Education (CTE) training.
• Volunteering your time as a “Friend of the Foundation” in support of networking
and fundraising activities to accomplish the goals of the Foundation.