FAITH ON THE ROCK Church celebrates its 100-year anniversary. Page 4
BUSINESS | New director hired for Chamber of Commerce. Page 3 SPORTS | Teen girls find success in competitive shooting. Page 16 EDITORIAL | Letter writers weigh in on VAA’s project. Page 6
THE FINAL CURTAIN Senior dancers are off to Oz for their last show. Page 12
BEACHCOMBER VASHON-MAURY ISLAND
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2012
Vol. 57, No. 25
www.vashonbeachcomber.com
Vashon High School: A new era begins
75¢
Groundbreaking took place under sunny skies, with kids at center stage
Open house at Mukai thwarted by cyclone fence
By NATALIE JOHNSON
By LESLIE BROWN Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Last week, the Vashon Island School District broke ground on the largest-ever capital project on the Island — the new Vashon High School building — and no one, it seemed, was left out at the celebratory event. Taking center stage at Friday’s gathering, the VHS class of 2024, currently kindergartners, took their task seriously as they earnestly dug at the hard-packed sod where the new building will sit. Surrounding the children, full-sized shovels were hoisted not only by students, teachers, administrators and school board members, but also by parents, business owners, volunteers and community leaders. All told, hundreds of Islanders — including a veritable who’s who of Vashon — turned out for the event, held under sunny skies and followed by a picnic lunch. Moments before shovels hit the ground, Tom Langland, who co-owns the Vashon Pharmacy, said it was not the school district that should be commended. Langland, a VHS graduate and the keynote speaker at Friday’s event, said the district owes it to Vashon
Natalie Johnson/Staff Photo
High school girls take turns shoveling dirt as VHS principal Susan Hanson, far left, looks on at Friday’s goundbreaking for the new Vashon High School building. residents, who last year voted to approve the bond and make the long-sought project a reality. What’s more, Langland noted, the $47.7 million building is a huge investment, theoretically equating to $4,300 per resident, or $200 from each Islander for 20 years. “That includes all the babies,” he said with a smile. The new high school, set to be completed in late 2013, will trans-
form what is now a sprawling campus comprised of five buildings into a single, two-story structure. The new building’s two large wings will be connected by a two-story, light-filled dining commons and an equally dramatic study commons that will double as a space for community meetings and team teaching. The building will also have a large courtyard, a clear main entrance — something it currently
lacks — and a new theater. “I tell everyone it’s going to be wonderful,” said VHS principal Susan Hanson after thrusting her own golden shovel into the sod. Hanson also addressed high schoolers at the groundbreaking, bluntly telling students they would have to put up with a year and a half of construction fences, SEE GROUNDBREAKING, 17
Around 100 people gathered to take a tour of the famed Mukai Farmhouse Monday night, only to be greeted by a hastily erected cyclone fence that barred them from entering the property. Those who had organized the event — several Islanders attempting to bring new leadership to the nonprofit that owns the farmhouse — held their gathering anyway, doing so on the street in front of the property and using the fence to illustrate their point. “This is no surprise,” Lynn Greiner, a lawyer and member of the new board, told the people gathered around her, nodding towards the fence. “Part of the problem is that they act like this is their house.” Glenda Pearson, president of the new board, noted that Mary Matthews, who founded the nonprofit, pledged years ago that she’d make the property an educational center open to the public. “Is it open to the public?” Pearson said to laughter. The gathering on the quiet SEE MUKAI, 11
Springer’s remarkable journey
A decade later, a beloved orca is thriving By SUSAN RIEMER Staff Writer
Mark Sears Photo
Springer was often seen spy-hopping near the north-end ferry dock.
Ten years ago, a young, orphaned killer whale temporarily made Vashon her home, captivating Islanders and researchers from around the region. Springer, as she came to be known, lived for six months near the north-end ferry dock, seeking out human companionship, playing with what was at hand — seals, a stick, some seaweed — and fishing for salmon. All the while, researchers and others tried to determine what to do about this unusual animal in a most unusual predicament.
In the end, after a herculean and costly effort, Springer became the only whale to be reintroduced successfully to her family. In the years since, she’s been the subject of books and articles, an Emmy Award-winning documentary and yearly health assessments. Now 12 years old, Springer is said to be thriving. A celebration to mark the decade since her return home and her remarkable story will be held this Saturday at the Alki Bathhouse. West Seattle whale researcher Mark Sears spent a considerable amount of time observing Springer and SEE SPRINGER, 15