McCarthy is the vice president of instruction at Lake Washington Institute of Technology. He previously served in the administration at Bellevue College and Blue Mountain Community College in Oregon.

Dr. Kevin D. McCarthy

“The feedback we heard from students, faculty, staff and alumni confirmed the board’s decision,” Board of Trustees Chairwoman Susan Palmer said in a news release. “The board feels confident that Dr. McCarthy understands the college’s needs as well as its resources and is the right choice to lead the college forward.”

McCarthy received his doctorate and master’s degree in American history at the University of Mississippi. He began his career as an educator and administrator at Colorado Rocky Mountain School. He also served as an instructor at the University of Mississippi, and as a visiting assistant professor at the University of Georgia.

He began his duties July 1, replacing President Steve Hanson, who retired at the end of June.

Newcastle News readers see local author/illustrator Dana Sullivan’s work featured monthly in a cartoon accompanying Pat Detmer’s column.

Now, you can learn from the man himself in two upcoming classes.

The first is a picture book illustration class offered June 23-July 28 at the Kirkland Arts Center. The six-week intensive boot camp that will leave you with a finished book dummy suitable for submission. Need not be an artist, just a willingness to work and stretch your imagination. Learn more here.

The second class is geared toward teens. Sullivan will take students step-by-step through the process of turning your original idea into a graphic novel. Drawing skills are not necessary, but imagination is a must, Sullivan said. 

The graphic novel class is offered July 13-17 at Bellevue College. Learn more here.

Sullivan is the author and illustrator of “Kay Kay’s Alphabet Safari” and “Ozzie and the Art Contest.” Learn more about his work here.

Hazen soccer standouts Gabby Brower and Chelsea Delgado will play the sport in college after leading this year’s team to its first outright Seamount League title since 1992, and a state tournament appearance.

Brower will play at Western Washington University, while Delgado will suit up at Bellevue College.

Contributed
Hazen High School athletes (from left) Chelsea Delgado, Quadir Griffin and Gabby Brower signed to colleges Feb. 5.

Hazen football standouts Joe Glaefke and Quadir Griffin will also continue their athletic careers in college. The all-league performers will both play at Everett Junior College.

“These four individuals have made significant contributions to Hazen High School,” Hazen Principal Randy Taylor said in a statement. “We are proud of them.”

No Liberty High School athletes signed national letters of intent on signing day, Feb. 5, to his knowledge, Stark Porter, the school’s athletic director, said.

There are a handful of athletes, however, who plan to continue their careers at the next level.

Aaron Bowe, who led the boys cross-country team to its first state appearance this year, will compete at Gonzaga University.

Hannah van Amen, a member of the state championship soccer team, will continue her career at Saint Martin’s University.

Chase Vanek will play baseball at Clark College, while Lorin Archibald will take to the diamond at Lower Columbia College.

As Amie Tabiando dances around the room, she clutches a plush Eeyore stuffed animal lovingly to her chest.

Her smile widens as she reveals him to a cluster of smaller children surrounding her lithe frame. Tabiando lifts Eeyore up and down, twirling and sashaying with him wherever she goes.

Emma Mason, of Newcastle, strikes a pose as the part of Fritz during the 2010 Cornerstone Studio production of ‘The Nutcracker’ at Bellevue College. Contributed

But soon she’ll trade that Eeyore in for a more well-known prop for one of the holiday season’s most beloved ballets — a Nutcracker.

She, along with more than 60 of the Cornerstone Studio’s 200 students, can be found at the Newport Hills studio every Saturday and Sunday gearing up for their annual holiday performance, putting in long hours on top of their regularly scheduled dance classes.

Lea Lo, studio owner and artistic director, said the studio’s performance of the ballet is an affordable, family-friendly activity with something for every audience.

“People that come to this get that traditional underlying story, but they also get to experience new aspects as well,” Lo said. “It’s a traditional holiday story, but we try to give it a new spin.”

The performances will take place at 1 and 6 p.m. Dec. 17 and Dec. 18 at Bellevue College’s Carlson Theatre. Tickets are $20 in advance or $22 at the door.

About 25 of those performing call Newcastle home.

The studio’s Nutcracker performances have evolved from excerpts of the ballet to full-fledged performances with elaborate sets, backdrops and costumes, Lo said.

Each year the performance is tweaked — this year’s ballet includes a section of breakdancing — so audience members can view a fresh twist on the old classic, she said.

Shelby Toy, who plays one of the Little Chinese roles, said she enjoys the costuming of the performance most.

The 6-year-old from Newcastle said she was a Ginger Snap last year and hopes to someday take on roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Emma Mason, 11, said that each year dancers are exposed to new steps and performance opportunities through the annual show.

“We’ve all worked really hard on this,” she said, “and I think the audience will really appreciate the practice we’ve put into it.”

Each of the studio’s four performances sold out last year.

What to know

• Buy tickets at www.brown-papertickets.com by searching for “The Nutcracker” under the search criteria bar on the left side of the screen.
• Learn more about the performance at the studio’s website at www.cornerstonestudio.com.

The team — now in its second year — also earned superior marks in speaking.

Pizelo, the team’s president, thanked the Bellevue College faculty for its support, as its last-minute, out-of-pocket donations funded the team’s trip. The donations came in just 24 hours before the competition.

Newcastle named Tree City USA Community

The Arbor Day Foundation in April recognized Newcastle as a Tree City USA Community for its commitment to urban forestry. This marks the fourth consecutive year the city has received the distinction.

To earn the distinction, the city is required to have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and have an Arbor Day observance and related proclamation.

“We commend Newcastle’s city staff, elected officials, volunteers and residents for providing vital care in its urban forest,” Arbor Day Foundation Chief Executive and Founder John Rosenow said in a news release. “Trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority.”