Carl Sonnenscheins 6-0, 6-0 win in singles play powers Central Catholic to a tight dual win over Barlow in the season finale.

The Barlow boys tennis team gave Central Catholic its biggest test of the year Wednesday, but the Rams came through with a 5-4 tiebreaker victory to finish the regular season undefeated.

The Bruins swept through the doubles ladder with a series of straight-set wins, highlighted by the ‘Towers’ with a 7-5, 6-1 win in the No. 4 spot. Getting their nickname for their 6-foot-4-inch height Duncan Otis and Parker Joncus made the most of that advantage, repeatedly rushing the net and forming a wall that was impossible to hit over.

“Coach has told us from early in the year that if we get up to the net it will put pressure on the other team, and that’s what we wanted today,” Otis said.

The duo overcame a late deficit in the first set to gain the upper hand and went on to win nine of the last 10 games.

While Barlow was dominating the doubles courts, Central Catholic was flexing its muscle in the singles ladder.

The most entertaining battle came at No. 1 singles where Central’s Joe Palodichuk scored a 6-4, 7-5 win over Barlow’s Kyle Helm, overcoming a 4-1 deficit in the second set to prevent Barlow from claiming a set that would have given the Bruins the dual victory.

Instead, with matches split 4-4, the dual went to the “games won” tiebreaker where Central held a 69-66 advantage.

The Mount Hood Conference district tournament is set for Monday through Wednesday, May 6-8, at Gresham High.

Look for extended match coverage in the Friday, May 3, print edition.

View an online photo gallery from the dual at daveball.exposuremanager.com.

Powell Valley hosts plant sale

The Powell Valley Garden Club is holding a plant sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Powell Valley Covenant Church, 1335 S.E. 282nd Ave.

The sale will include flowers, trees and shrubs, with all proceeds benefiting SnowCap Community Charities and Sam Barlow High School.

A raffle will be held for a potting bench, greenhouse and wheelbarrow. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.

For more information, call Tamra Hillyard at 503-701-6192.

Petal Pushers offers plant sale

The Petal Pusher Garden Club is holding its annual plant sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 18630 S.E. Division St., Gresham.

The sale will feature a selection of Japanese maple and dogwood trees, shrubs, vegetables, herbs, tubers, perennials, annuals, natives, hanging baskets and more.

The Petal Pusher Garden Club supports local, state national and world gardening and other philanthropic projects.

SnowCap offers gardening classes

SnowCap Community Charities has three upcoming gardening workshops in its series.

From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 4, the first workshop will focus on crop choices for year-round harvest, methods to stretch the growing season, and weed and pest control techniques.

From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 18, the workshop will focus on container gardening, and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 15, the workshop will focus on nontoxic methods to manage weeds, pests and crop diseases.

All workshops take place at SnowCap Community Garden, adjacent to the SnowCap complex at 17805 S.E. Stark St. For more information, call 503-674-8785, ext. 19, or email danni@snowcap.org.

Republican Women meet May 8

Mt. Hood Republican Women will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, at Francis Xavier's Restaurant, 1933 N. E. 181st Ave.

Social hour begins at 11 a.m., with a business meeting at 11:30 a.m. A speaker will follow.

The group meets February through May and September through December, on the second Wednesday of the month at Francis Xavier's. For more information, call 503-666-1957.

Mail carriers collect food donations

Help stamp out hunger by placing a bag of nonperishable food donations by your mailbox the morning of Saturday, May 11, during the National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive.

The drive, part of a national effort, will benefit the Oregon Food Bank Network, serving people who are hungry throughout Oregon and in Clark County.

To donate, look for a yellow, plastic degradable food drive bag in the mail the first week of May, fill the bag with nutritious, nonperishable food and place it by your mailbox early Saturday morning. Residents also may drop off food donations at any post office by Wednesday, May 15.

For more information, visit oregonfoodbank.org.

TOPS brings on new leaders

TOPS (Taking Pounds Off Sensibly) OR 9083 installed its new leaders for the 2013-14 year.

Joan Holt was named the incoming leader, with Juanita Null as co-leader. Nancy Childress was named secretary, and Merelene Delgado was named treasurer.

The group meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Clear Creek Church, 4200 S.E. 182nd St., Gresham. Meetings are focused on weight-related topics and last about one hour.

The first visit is free to the public. For more information, call Joan Holt at 503-665-3363.

Oregon Parks and Rec accepting preservation grants

Interested in attending a preservation-related conference, workshop or training in the next year?

The first-round deadline for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s Oregon Heritage Preservation scholarships is Friday, June 14. The scholarship provides financial assistance for Oregon residents to attend a preservation-related conference, workshop or training in the United States between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2014. Eligible travel expenses include registration fees, transportation, lodging and meals.

For more information, visit oregon.gov/oprd/HCD/FINEST/Pages/Scholarships.aspx or contact Cara Kaser at cara.kaser@state.or.us or 503-986-0670.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

WICKUTY — Army National Guard 2nd Lt. Kyle D. Wickuty has graduated from the Army Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.

Wickuty is the son of Miles and Beth Sather of Southeast Portland.

He is a 2007 graduate of Centennial High School and earned an associate’s degree of arts in 2009 from Clackamas Community College.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in outdoor adventure leadership in 2012 from Southern Oregon University.

AIR FORCE

AIKEN — Air Force Airman Philip H. Aiken graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Aiken is the son of Carolyn Will of Gresham. He is a 2011 graduate of Sahuarita High School in Arizona.

ECKERT — Air Force Airman Michael C. Eckert graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Eckert is the son of Mike Eckert of Troutdale and grandson of Joy Wright of Gresham. He is a 2012 graduate of Reynolds High School.

Dinner, auction benefits Boy Scouts

Boy Scout Troop 586 of Gresham is having its first spaghetti feed and auction beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Mountainview Christian Church, 1890 N.E. Cleveland Ave., Gresham.

Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and auctions will begin right away. For more information, visit troop586.net

Eat at McDonald’s

for Sweetbriar trip

Sweetbriar Elementary School is holding a fundraiser with McDonald’s to help defray the costs of an overnight field trip to OMSI called “Camp In.”

The fundraiser will be held from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at 2555 S.W. Cherry Park Road, Troutdale. A portion of the profits will go to the field trip.

For more information, call Lindsay Macias at 503-666-9441, ext. 2113.

Fix your bike in Rosewood

In honor of National Bike Month, Rosewood is holding a Spring Bike Tune-up and Kids Bike Safety Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, in the parking lot by the “Eyes of All” mural, 16126 S.E. Stark St., Portland,

The event will feature bike workshops, a kids’ bike safety course, arts and crafts and hot dogs. Participants also are invited to bring their bikes in for a tune-up, and youths will receive free helmets.

A summer Rosewood camp for girls

Rosewood is hosting a musical theater dance camp for girls in third through fifth grades with The Aspire Project June 17-21.

To sign up for the free camp, call 503-505-0382 or email contact.us@theaspireproject.org.

The Brownings

Former East County residents Dale and Nevelle (Bode) Browning celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary Tuesday, April 9, with a family party at their son’s home in Tigard.

The couple was married April 9, 1948, at the Methodist Church in Goldendale, Wash.

A retired osteopathic physician, Dale was the former chief of staff at Eastmoreland General Hospital and a team physician for Mt. Hood Community College for 20 years.

Nevelle is a quilter, devoted horsewoman, homemaker and former master gardener. She and Dale raised their family in East Portland.

They have five children, Daphne Weaver of Vancouver, Wash.; Karren Rhea of Boring; Stephen Browning of Tigard; Linda Bletko of Portland; and Allen Browning of Gladstone. They also have 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

For May 6-7

Monday, May 6

Damascus City Council — 7 p.m., City Hall, 19920 S.E. Highway 212. Call 503-658-8545 or visit damascusoregon.gov for more information.

On the agenda: Public hearing for Lowell Patton de-annexation and resolutions: interpretation of ballot measure language, Trillium Creek Park memorandum, natural hazards mitigation plan and authorization to amend a professional services agreement with Winterbrook Planning.

Tuesday, May 7

Mayor’s town hall meeting — 7 p.m., Troutdale Police Community Room, 234 S.W. Kendall Court. Call 503-674-7237 for more information. Mayor Doug Daoust and the council will discuss ways to promote tourism in the Troutdale region.

Gresham City Council — 6 p.m., Gresham Public Safety and Schools Building, 1331 N.W. Eastman Parkway.

Call 503-618-2871 for more information. On the agenda: award to private business for purchase of new emergency generator for City Hall, City Hall park and ride redevelopment feasibility study, and public hearings for Community Development Block Grant and Home Action Plan.

Wilkes Community Group — 7 p.m., Margaret Scott Elementary School, 14700 N.E. Sacramento St., Portland. Call Alice Blatt at 503-253-6247 for information.

Boring Community Planning Organization — 7 p.m., Boring Fire Station Annex, 28655 S.E. Highway 212. Call 503-663-1297 for information.

After coyotes ran off with both of her cats in just a two-month span, Troutdale resident Ann Lundstrom fears the wild dogs are increasing their presence in the local urban area.

Authorities at Multnomah Animal Services in Troutdale say the presence of coyotes is normal.

“They’ve always been here,” said an office representative at the local shelter. “Where there are cats, rabbits, mice and small animals, they’re going to come around.”

According to the Audubon Society of Portland’s website, coyote sightings in urban areas, specifically in and around Portland, began in the 1980s and have increased over the past 15 years.

While most are usually spotted near natural areas, coyotes have been seen deep in the urban interior. By leaving out garbage and compost bins and letting pets roam free outside, humans have inadvertently promoted urban coyote populations, Audubon Society reported.

Lundstrom, who lives near the Albertsons off S.E. 257th and Stark Street, claims one of her cats went missing March 18 and the other on April 12, both in broad daylight.

She believes coyotes were the culprits, and neighbors who said they’ve had multiple sightings in the area, confirm her suspicions.

Lundstrom has talked to friends and neighbors who also have seen coyotes in the fields near Mt. Hood Community College and across the street near Paws and Claws Pet Medical Center.

A few weeks before her first cat went missing, Lundstrom watched a coyote trap an unidentified small animal under a chain-linked fence in a forested area in her neighborhood.

Her presence disturbed the coyote, but after walking away and returning, both animals were gone, she said.

Lundstrom has lived in Troutdale for 23 years and says she’s never had a problem with coyotes and her cats until this year. With zero cats left, a mournful Lundstrom said, “It hurts. It just hurts.”

On the bright side, “There is going to be more birds,” she said, “One of them was a bird killer.”

The animal shelter advises people to keep their cats and small dogs indoors in the event of reports of nearby coyote activity.

According to the Animal Services worker in Troutdale, coyotes don’t care much for people, but cats appear to be their favorite fast-food meal.

“They just want cats,” she said.

Troutdale Police will host a Community Education and Resource Day on Saturday, May 4, in the community room of the new police facility at 234 S.W. Kendall Court.

Presentations include:

•9 a.m. Meet the Chief: Chief Scott Anderson will greet visitors and be available for questions.

•9:15 a.m. Meet your Neighborhood DA: Find out what happens after you file a police report or receive a ticket.

•10 a.m. Identity Theft-Social Media: Officer Chris Stephens will talk to visitors about identity theft.

•11 a.m. TIPS (Trauma Intervention Prevention): How TIPS helps the community and how you can volunteer.

•11:30 a.m. East Metro Mediation-Conflict Resolution: Free resources for both neighborhoods and businesses.

•12:15 p.m. Code Enforcement Update: Livability issues and common concerns.

•1 p.m. Neighborhood Watch and Crime Prevention: Get involved and volunteer.

•Bicycle registration information will be available.

•Multnomah County alarm requirements: Get questions about your alarm system answered.

There will be free document and mail shredding, limited to one curb-size container per household until noon or until the provided truck is full. Visitors also can dispose of expired prescriptions and unwanted medications.

Participants will receive one raffle ticket for every presentation attended, and those who pre-register for any of the above sessions at Teresa.Troudt@troudaleoregon.gov will receive an additional raffle ticket.

Non-perishable food donations will be welcome.

Tourism and how to promote it is the subject of discussion at Troutdale's upcoming town hall meeting Tuesday, May 7.

Hosted by Mayor Doug Daoust and the Troudale City Council, the meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the public conference room of the new police facility building at 234 S.W. Kendall Court.

Chamber of Commerce members, businesses, hoteliers and any interested citizens are welcome to attend.

“There are many things to consider for stronger promotion of tourism in Troutdale and the region, and the future of the Visitor Center,” Daoust said in a press release.

“Our businesses and hotels rely on citizens and tourists to survive,” he said.

The mayor wants to know how citizens get involved in promoting tourism. What do you say when people ask you what there is to do in Troutdale and the nearby area? What should the city do to help? Should they form a committee to address these questions?

“There are many conversations to be had, and the city council wants to hear from you,” Daoust said.

Reynolds Middle School

The following Reynolds Middle School students were named to the third quarter honor roll:

Sixth grade

4.0 — Janey Mae Dela Pena, Pancho Gonzalez Cruz, Kaitlynn Marlin, Duy Nguyen, Celeste Ramirez Soto, Iriabeth Sanchez Jaime, Lilia Serna Serna, Jessica Tran and Vicky Vdovich.

3.5-3.87 — Nicholas Blegen, Cyrus Boatman, Diana Hernandez Flores, Tammi Nguyen, Ana Oliveros Armenta, Joshua Blegen, Ka Kaw Htoo, Macy Payne, Ulises Ku Cejin, Ja’Shauna Wesson, Tita Calderon, Tere Huerta, Rosa Avalos Manriquez, Natalya Babenko, Lucero Brambila Guzman, Garmony Endambo, Harli MacKinnon, Isabella McManus, Blakelee Meredith, Bao Anh Nguyen, Linda Nguyen, Brittany Petersen, Justin Powers, Delanie Rackham, Kaelin Spring, TJ Thompson, Trisha Borchers, Otilia Garcia Morales, Mulah Klay, Neven Markov, Victor Ruiz Dominguez, Faiza Abdi, Daisy Aguilar, Austin Bui, Alysa Dominguez, Miriam Infante, Paola Jimenez, Jaqueline Lopez, Elton Sumano, Joana Garcia, Stephanie Lopez Medel, Aily Tran, Jaena Yang and Ashley Yoshida.

Seventh grade

4.0 — Jennifer Alvarado Rubio, Obse Gitaw, Patricia Guarneros Carrasco and ChaBlue Wah.

3.5-3.87 — Marissa Carpenter, Javier Jimenez, Marco Martinez, Christopher McMichael, Juan Pablo Sanchez Huerta, Hannah Spaulding, Jennifer Vazquez, Emma Callaway, Elsie Garcia, Jesaca Bradford, Tucker Harrison, Anastasia Higgins, Abby Kudrna, Ricardo May Baeza, Jessica Meeks, Leilani Sanchez, Ana Zakharov, Monaj Alexander, Chasity Felix, Mariya Shevchenko, Tyrone Saechao, David Arney, Marina Babenko, Catherine Cortez, Jordan Dwiggins, Niyongoma Francis, Elaine Huynh, William Lau, Nini Nguyen, Jacob Petersen, Anna Tern, Alexandra Arellano, David Franquez, Adriana Rendon Bautista, Mariana Solano Gonzale and Law Wardi.

Eighth grade

4.0 — Ben Burcham Howard, Peter Camacho, Alexis DeJesus, Alicia Estes, Jennifer Gonzalez Garcia, Thor Johnson, Kahlea Lande, Miriam Martinez, Jordan May, Hannah Meisenhelder, Alyssa Porter, Eric Sosa Lesso, Nkaoyou Thao and Mirella Zamora.

3.57-3.87 — Nicole Breninger, Chloe Crowder, Ismahan Dahir, Gabrielle Mengis, Ben Morris, Brianna Stahly Hale, Emilia Vazquez Sanchez, Hannah Onderdonk, James Truong, Ilannah Vu, Colin Brummer, Jovani Camarena, Jessica Camarillo, Kylie Card, Jonathan Chanocua, Veronica Hernandez Flores, Jadon Marquez, Matthias Ngo, Morgan Rose, Luis Angel Solano Gonzalez, Andy Solano Herrera, Francisca Vazquez Sanchez, Roxanne Vazquez, Cynthia Aguilar Gomez, Yulia Bukmyrza, Shanea Jorden, Martha Lopez Custodio, Esmeralda Lopez, Maria Meisenhelder, Daniel Ollivant, Andy Truong and Slavik Zakhariya.

Portland Lutheran

The following students were named to the Portland Lutheran School honor roll for the third quarter:

4.0 — Daniel Barnes, sophomore; Samuel Brandt, senior; Olivia Nyberg, junior; and Danica Roady, sophomore.

3.5-3.9 — Ayde Alvarado, junior; Natalie Bergdolt, freshman; Evan Bonazzola, freshman; Louisa Gan, senior; Sonica Gupta, freshman; Andrew Hinkel, junior; Kaitlin Howard, junior; Hana Laughton, senior; Nick Lommasson, senior; Ian Lortz, sophomore; Joe Lin, junior; Nicole Nguyen, junior; Ryan Nguyen, senior; Sydney Peck, freshman; Matt Risser, senior; Amanda Schlimpert, junior; Hannah Solberg, sophomore; Chloe Tang, sophomore; Jojo Therdkiatmongkhon, junior; Jessica Wu, junior; and George Zhang, junior.

Good Shepherd School

The following students were named to the Good Shepherd School honor roll.

Eighth grade

4.0 — Brittney Biggs, Booth Katelin, Brooke Burrell, Caitlin Holmlund and Beulah Russell.

3.5-3.9 — Michael Callaway, Jennifer Kitchen, Jasmine Teeny and Jenna Young.

Seventh grade

4.0 — Lauren Anderson, Victoria Bajanov, Nathan Bartol, Emma Beckers, Bethany Cox, Hailey Fuson, Emily Gorham, Elizabeth Lewis, Katherine McMahan and Noah Schweitzer.

3.5-3.9 — Brandon, Joey, Samuel Butler, Alexa Edwards, Cambria Georgeson, Adam Griffith, Benjain Griffith, Aubrey Nelson, Savanna Newman, Christian Osborne, Rachel Stewart and Jamey Wolf.

Sixth grade

4.0 — Katelyn Chung, Ellie Gentry, Abby Leadham, Haven Russell, Jacob Sale, Savannah Springer, Connor Strauss, Jacob Teeny and Chloe Williams.

3.5-3.9 — Hunter Brandolf, Zack Bressel, Jacob Campbell, Averie Everett, Jessica Findlay, Sebastian Hryciw, Megan Jefferis, Jacquelyn Krebs, Brody Reid, Caleb Smith and Jeremiah Urback.

Clear Creek Middle School

The following students were named to the Clear Creek Middle School honor roll for the second trimester:

Sixth grade

4.0 — Iratze Aguilar, Camille Baptista, Natalie Elliott, Rebecca Esparza, Alissa Faas, Melody Field, Natalie Grigsby, Chloe Hallberg, Hunter Holeman, Emily Ilinich, Johnny Ionescu Jr., Rhianna McCloud, Abby McDevitt, Kim McMurry, A.J. Minor, Saren Mower, Caitlin Peetz, Sarah Ray, Dylan Riley, Shelby Smail, Anice Sogiar, Hannah Spencer and Daniel Tavares.

3.5-3.99 — Mercedez Ahumada, Stephany Arango, Luis Avendano Gomez, Elizabeth Bazante-Villa, Ryan Burch, Liliana Calderon, Leila Charleston, Laura Cruz Reyes, Vitaliyk Danyuk, Raven Eldridge-Smith, Dean Evangelista, Cole Garber, Alejandra Gutierrez, Cambria Hering, Britney Herrera, Miranda Jackson, Joy Jimenez, Karyn Johnson, Hassan Khan, Jordan King, Hailey Knudson, Aurora Leino, Luci Lopez, Sulameta Lupanov, Emilyu Mashir, Karyna Mishchenko, Jennifer Molina, Juan Orozco, Philip Parker, Chinto Resendiz, Moises Sanchez Elias, Adam Schnepp, Tanner Stofiel, Alex Vazquez Cortes Jr., Andrea Visser and Taylor Zaragoza.

Seventh grade

4.0 — Hannah Countney, Gabi Girton, Sierra Haynes, Brad McKnight, Bella Serrano and Paige Veach.

3.5-3.99 — Dedrick Adams, Libby Aguon, Zachary Alloway, Jessica Ceja-Linares, Delaney Johnston, Amaya Lacey, Kseniya Likhovodova, Monica Lopez, Ana Menera, Morgan Olofson, Caroline Ortega, Madyson Pfeil, Kara Poptean, Evan Ramirez, Karen Reyes, Pablo Rios Cruz, Michael Stillell, Annie Strobel, Shellie Valpiani, Taylor Veach, Stacy Vedus and John Yang.

Eighth grade

4.0 — Patrick Carr, Nick Castellano, Becca Haworth, Saher Jordan, Nelson Le, Kalin Mark, Farah Mehkri, Ceanna Pang, April Ramngen, Katherine Sause, Van Truong and Drue Woods.

3.5-3.99 — Madison Allen, Kelley Bastin, Ocean Chau, Levi Dalzell, Hailey Dowden, Emmalie Elliott, Cassie Gardner, Daisy Gastelum, Mikayla Goodman, Tanith Horning, Zoie Hubbard, Hannah Johnson, Carl Knori, David Likhovodov, Sydnee Lindhorst, Amanda Luangraj, Gavan Martin, Andre McGee, Jacqueline Nolasco, Oleatta O’Dell, Bryan Rodriguez, Caleb Rosenfield, Maria Saleh, Shianne Smith, Lauren Tovar Ceballos, Katelynn Turner and Javier Urzua.

Eastern Oregon University

The following East County students were named to Eastern Oregon University dean’s list for the 2013 winter term.

To qualify, students must achieve and maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale while completing a minimum of 12 hours of graded coursework for the duration of the term.

Boring

Lara Bushue and Adam Hayball.

Damascus

Caitlyn Tuma and Emily Fadenrecht.

Fairview

Amanda Wiese and Michelle Roy.

Gresham

Tiffani Miller, Dylan Woodsworth, Tyrone Wing, Melissa Frick, Rebecca Merchant, Krystal Mariano, Mary Linthorst, Christine Strand, Nichole Chandler, Mallory Anderson,

Karli Dirksen, Melanie Johnsen, Chryste Barton and Dawn Altamirano.

Portland

Nicholas Magrone, Kena Elliott, Keith Ouellette, Breyon Burrell,

Donna Rieke, Peter Whitcomb and David Hammett.

Troutdale

Alexandria Simpson, Nicholas Anthony, Tyanne Atkins, Ann Jones, Corey Rust and Yelena Shapovalov.

Wood Village

Chelsea Rahme.

Eastern Washington University dean’s list

Emily Cooke of Gresham was named to the winter 2013 dean’s list at Eastern Washington University. To be named on the dean’s list, Cooke received a GPA of 3.5 or better and earned 12 quality hours.

Seattle Pacific dean’s list

The following students made the Seattle Pacific University 2013 winter quarter dean’s list.

Students on the dean’s list have completed at least 12 credits and attained a 3.50 or higher grade point average.

The students were Jesse Stuart Boda of Gresham, Brianna Mae Leenders of Gresham, Jackson Palmer Smith and Brandi Lee Wolfe.

Harding University award

Troutdale resident Matthew Albright was inducted into the Alpha Chi Honor Society on Saturday, April 20. Albright is a senior psychology major.

The society recognizes the academic excellence of college students nationwide. To be selected for induction, students must be in the top 10 percent of their class.

Autopsy reveals a rare metabolic disorder caused young mans liver failure

After Katherine Melo’s 22-year-old son died unexpectedly, an autopsy revealed his cause of death.

Since childhood, Julian F. Gildersleeve had a mixed diagnosis of autism and developmental disability. But it was metabolic disorder that led to his death in a Salem group home on April 2.

Melo, a special education teacher at Gresham’s Kelley Creek Elementary School, says while Julian’s physical health often came under threat because of his disabilities, his death was a shock.

It wasn’t until Melo requested an autopsy that she learned what ended her son’s life prematurely.

Dr. Steven Fletcher, medical director of Samaritan Albany General Hospital, said Julian died of liver failure as the result of an “undefined inherited metabolic disorder.”

The final diagnosis was a massive hepatomegaly with macrovesicular steatohepatitis; or in layman’s terms, an enlarged and fatty liver.

When he died, Julian’s liver was four to five times the normal size.

How does one get a liver like that?

Fletcher said it can be caused by a number of things including long term alcoholism and diabetes. But, such as in Julian’s case, the disease also can result from a list of inherited metabolic disorders.

“He was unfortunately born with an unrecognized metabolic problem,” Fletcher said.

The number of metabolic disorders is extensive, he said. There are more than 20 known genetic variations.

Because the diseases are rare and hard for doctors to track, Fletcher said there is no diagnostic tool to determine what Julian had at birth. And even if it was recognized, he said, there are no preventable treatments.

Fletcher also said there is no evidence that links Julian’s developmental disability or autism to the disease. However, those with an inherited metabolic disorder commonly have a shortened life expectancy.

Melo wishes she could have learned of Julian’s metabolic disorder earlier. Like most loving mothers, she would have searched for treatments and done anything in her power to prevent her child’s death.

“It raises so many questions,” Melo said. She hopes Julian’s story will prompt advancement in medicine or at least help provide answers to others with Julian’s disorder. “My hope is there will be more and more information available,” she said.

Julian was born at Portland Adventist Medical Center on Feb. 12, 1991, to Melo and Jon Gildersleeve. He was diagnosed with autism and developmental disabilities around the age of 5.

Melo started her son in speech therapy and special education services in Portland. Most recently, Julian attended and aged out of Pathways, a special needs school in Gresham, at 21 years old.

Academically, Julian was able to recite some words, like logos or movie titles. He never learned to read, his mother said, and when he died, his mind was developmentally stuck at 3 years old.

Socially, Julian loved people.

“He had a great sense of humor,” Melo said. He loved dancing and music, like The Beatles, and movies, like “The Phantom of the Opera.”

When his health permitted, Julian enjoyed going for walks, bike riding and hiking.

But the heavy doses of medication Julian routinely took throughout his life often made him drowsy and fatigued, and in the last few months of his life, his activities were limited.

After Julian graduated from Pathways, his family placed him in a young adult group home in Salem.

Melo said there were plans for Julian to move closer to family in Portland, but he died before then.

Melo saw her son for a last time the weekend before. She reflects on Julian’s life, the challenges and the rewards.

“There were so many challenges,” she said. “At times, it was hard to be in public at all.”

Julian went through a phase where he would obsess over strangers’ wearing glasses, she said.

“He would grab them and break them and I would have to replace them.”

Melo said managing Julian’s disability often made her feel isolated.

“It was all very difficult,” she said.

On the flip side, Julian gave his mother a motivation in life.

“He gave me a career,” she said. With firsthand knowledge of disabilities, Melo said it was a natural fit for her to go into special education.

“I’ve had a great gift of understanding and working with families and their children,” she said.

On May, 13, Melo will travel with her son’s ashes to the sacred city of Vrindavan in northern India, where she will spread them in the Yamuna River, the largest tributary of the Ganges.

for May 3, 2013

Law-abiding gun owners unfairly targeted

In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, people on the radio entreated listeners not to treat Muslims with suspicion, intimidation or contempt.

But after Sandy Hook, lawful gun owners are being targeted with suspicion, intimidation and contempt. And lawmakers are being pushed to limit our ability to protect ourselves with laws that discourage gun ownership.

Understandably, victims’ families need room to grieve after suffering such a horrific traumatic loss. I wish their grief did not extend to actively advocating those innocent of a crime with these restrictive laws.

Even MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) does not advocate restricting all of us from our vehicles, but rather only those who drive while intoxicated.

Roxanne Ross

Gresham

Don’t let them kill the Options Program

The Options Program at Gresham High School has been notified that it is on the list of proposed cuts from next year’s budget.

This will be detrimental to not only the students enrolled in this program, but the community as well. This program was designed to help high school students who struggle with school get back on track to graduate. Options help provide the skills needed to succeed.

This isn’t just another class of students; this is a family that supports each other to reach dreams, no matter how big or small they may be.

There will be a School Board meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at Gresham City Hall to discuss the cuts for next year.

Options students, former students and the supporting community, will meet by the Options room at Gresham High School at 6:30 p.m. (located in the parking lot off of Division Street). We will walk to the board meeting as a group to show our support for the options program. We will carry signs and wear bright royal blue T-shirts or our Options sweatshirts.

Our plan is to show up in large numbers and for us to submit written comments to the board explaining the importance of this program for our students and our future generation.

The Options motto is, “I am somebody and I will succeed.” By cutting this program you are telling our students and our future generation that their success isn’t important to our community or to our state.

Please join us to support this program and our students.

Natalie Gredler

Graduating class of 2013

Options student

Gresham

"Don’t drink the water.”

That famous phrase has come around again, thanks to Portland, which is about to vote on whether residents want to add fluoride to their tap water.

It’s a debate that major cities and small towns have waged for decades.

In an era when purity in the environment is everything, I’m finding it hard to sit back and allow a decision like this to be made without my consent.

Fluoride is an unknown. Regardless of the countless endorsements of the American Dental Association, the National Center for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are equal amounts of warnings from the American Medical Association suggesting that state health departments consider the value of requiring statewide fluoridation, and the World Health Organization themselves admit that fluoride could possibly help dental care in third world countries, but it’s adverse health effects need to be weighed against the benefits.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring substance, but what is to be added is more chemical than natural. We’re told it’s for the benefit of the community to have everyone ingest fluoride, thus providing them with healthy teeth. I do consider myself community driven, but my benevolence ends when I’m told I have to suddenly become responsible for someone else’s dental hygiene by ingesting something I don’t need, don’t want or could be detrimental to all of us.

Do I really care that Seattle has better teeth than Portland, or that Portland is the last major city that’s unfluoridated?

This may seem terse, but I actually don’t care, or think about the dental care of neighborhood children. They have parents and guardians who do that. Why is something so available as fluoridated toothpaste, fluoride tablets and drops, not to mention that it’s free for children in the public school system with parental consent, force me to spend my money on unfluoridated, bottled water should this go through?

But perhaps the most chilling of all is that we in Gresham won’t have a voice in the decision. Gresham is a customer of the Portland Water Bureau. Gresham purchases water that flows from the Bull Run Reservoir.

If Portlanders vote to add fluoride to their water supply, that chemical will be injected upstream of Gresham.

If the measure passes in Portland, we’ll have to pay the consequences in Gresham. We don’t have a say in the matter.

How is it that our water will be medicated for us, without regard to what we want? And it is indeed a medication, since it’s sole purpose is to prevent tooth decay.

Did we suddenly lose our freedom of choice?

The fluoride proponents can tout it’s safety and health benefits all they want, but numbers aren’t in yet. Research is a slow mover.

How many prescription drugs have we seen in recent years that are no longer beneficial because of their adverse health risks?

Time will tell on what fluoride will bring. Research is still hoping to find the reason for autism as well as the basis for ADHD in children.

We have to find a way to make people responsible for themselves without throwing us all into the same pit. Most of all, we demand to be heard on something this important.

Suzan Wilson is a Gresham resident.

Suzette Matthews is a pacesetter for giving of oneself to benefit others

Nearly everyone knows a woman who volunteers somewhere — usually once or twice a year for a charitable cause with her friends.

Anyone who thinks that is an example of an altruistic lifestyle hasn’t met Suzette Matthews of Gresham.

“Super woman” would be a better term to describe this pacesetter, who lives with her husband, state Rep. Greg Matthews, D-Gresham, and their three daughters, ages 12, 9 and 7.

Matthews is totally involved in her daughters’ lives — more than just transporting them to their activities.

The girls’ activities include several sports, band, dance and Girl Scouts.

For example, instead of just sitting alongside the sports field and watching her daughters participate, she volunteers to be the team mom and takes on responsibilities that assist the coach and the players.

At her daughters’ schools, she volunteers to help teachers in their classrooms twice a week.

Add the duties she gained when elected president of the Parent Teacher Student Organization — a role that brings her into the school every weekday.

Forget what she’d like to do for herself; Matthews supports her husband in everything he does in Gresham, when he’s not in session at the Legislature.

He’s also a very busy person, serving in Salem during the sessions, taking long shifts as a career firefighter for Gresham Fire & Emergency Services, directing activities at a youth camp and emceeing several local events. While helping him in everything he does in Gresham, she manages their daughters’ complicated schedules and provides transportation.

While assisting her husband, Matthews provides lead support for the annual firefighters’ Easter egg hunt, cookies with Santa and the firefighters’ union picnic.

Matthews also is involved in the Teddy Bear Parade, sponsored by Soroptimist International of Gresham. She participates in the event along with her husband, who has been the event’s master of ceremonies for many years.

But beyond community activities, Matthews focuses much of her efforts on raising her children to be responsible citizens of their city and neighborhood.

“My girls are my life,” she said. “Everything we do centers around them, and I feel that each stage of their lives is unique and important.”

For years, Matthews has valued her relationships with her parents and her husband’s parents, and she is trying to instill that same attitude in each of her girls.

“(Matthews) manages to participate in all facets of (her daughters’) hectic schedules,” said her father-in-law, Dale Matthews. “She is the ultimate mother, which is her first priority.”

Matthews doesn’t like the spotlight on her altruism. She prefers to assist others in the background, and takes her own brand of pride in knowing she has done something helpful.

For example, assisting teachers at school in a secondary role of support is just what she likes to do.

“Given the budget woes of our schools and the declining resources,” she said, “I think it’s important for parents to assist in creating an atmosphere where our children can achieve success.”

If all of this wasn’t enough to keep one mother busy, Matthews has owned and operated a business for a number of years. She owns the Small World Learning Center, a growing and popular day care center with 22 employees who serve 110 children ages 6 months to 12 years.

Even though she has a center director, Matthews is a hands-on owner and participates in all decisions.

Center Director Karlene Ryan, who works directly with Matthews daily, is continually amazed at her boss’s ability to manage so many activities at the same time while giving 100 percent to everything.

“(Matthews) is probably the most giving and generous person I know,” Ryan said. “She gives of herself, whether it’s her children or her husband or her (extended) family or the people at the center or her children’s school. Everything comes before her — first.”

Ryan says Matthews is never paid to be involved in any of her volunteer activities, and she never complains about the amount of responsibility she has accepted.

“I don’t know how she does all that she does,” Ryan said. “She just does it.”

Matthews’ father-in-law says one indication of the quality of her work is the fact her business has been awarded Day Care Center of the Year five times.

“(Matthews) is totally involved in numerous civic programs in Gresham,” he said. “Our entire family benefits from her hard work and dedication.”

With three pre-teen girls involved in multiple activities and a husband who is a career firefighter, union president and state representative and the level of activity that Matthews assumes, “this is a very busy family,” Ryan said.

But what benefits the community and sets Matthews apart as an exceptional woman is her spirit of giving — to anyone.

Matthews says this recognition has embarrassed her because she doesn’t need the spotlight and never wants to show pride in herself. Her altruism is self-motivated.

“I have always been someone that others could rely on in times of need,” she said. “They know that I will do everything I can to assist.”

Ryan is likely not alone when she values highly her friendship and working relationship with Matthews.

“It touches me to know her,” she said, “(Matthews’ giving) is not for any (selfish) reason. It’s just who she is.”

Jeffery Warner Hoard

Dec. 15, 1960-April 22, 2013

Former Portland and Gresham resident Jeffery Warner Hoard died Monday, April 22, from stage 4 brain cancer. He was 52.

A celebration of life was held Saturday, April 27, in Salem.

Jeffery was born Dec. 15, 1960, to Ray and Azalea Hoard in Portland. He was raised with his two sisters and his parents’ four foster children.

Jeffery graduated from David Douglas High School in 1979 and worked as a machinist. He volunteered for the Turner Fire Department and enjoyed building gas model cars, airplanes and boats.

Jeffery married Rhonda Lacey on Sept. 15, 1984, in Portland.

He is survived by his wife; daughter, Andrea Hoard; sisters, Linda Alsup and Zola Lung; brother, Terry Hoard; and a niece, nephew and two cousins. One of his foster siblings lives in the Estacada area.

Aumsville Cremation and Burial is handling arrangements.

Diane Estel Burk

May 27, 1945-April 24, 2013

Gresham resident Diane Estel Burk died Wednesday, April 24, from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). She was 67.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Gresham United Methodist Church, 620 N.W. Eighth Ave., Gresham. Her ashes will be spread at Rockaway Beach the next day.

Diane was born May 27, 1945, in Portland to Gale and Evelyn Peterson. She attended Marshall High School and received her associate’s degree in psychology from Mt. Hood Community College.

After her diagnosis with COPD and being told she had five years, Diane lived 15 more years. She loved painting ceramics, reading and watching Western television movies, especially “Bonanza.”

Diane was married twice but had been divorced many years.

She is survived by her children, Laurelee Hogan, Gary Wood and Paul Wood; siblings, Doug Peterson, Greg Peterson, Kay Grimstead and Laurel Grimstead; and five grandchildren.

Her sister Laurel Grimstead is handling arrangements and can be reached at 503-774-3058 for information about the spreading of ashes at the beach.

Evelyn M. Dalzell

July 17, 1930-April 18, 2013

Gresham resident Evelyn M. Dalzell died Thursday, April 18. She was 82.

A memorial service was held Tuesday, April 30, at St. Henry Catholic Church. Burial followed at Willamette National Cemetery.

Evelyn was born July 17, 1930, in St. Paul, Ore., to Henry Grentand and Gertrude Connor. She attended St. Mary’s High School.

Evelyn is survived by her son, Rodney Dalzell; daughter, Lena Rapp; grandsons, Benjamin and William Rapp; and nephew, Daniel Brentano.

For more information about Evelyn, visit anewtradition.com.

Grant Ezra Richardson

July 14, 1932-April 30, 2013

Grant Ezra Richardson of Troutdale died at his home Tuesday, April 30. He was 80.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 6, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1515 S.W. Cherry Park Road, Troutdale.

Grant was born July 14, 1932, in Salt Lake City to Fern (Carlston) and Ezra David Richardson. He served four years in the Air Force during the Korean war and was discharged in 1956. He worked for the Bonneville Power Administration in the personnel department from 1968 to 1991, when he retired.

He and his wife, Mary Beth, were married in 1954 at the LDS temple in Salt Lake City. They moved here in 1968.

Grant is survived by his wife; children, Mary K. Johnson, Mark Richardson, Melissa Robertson, Milana Colt, Martha Southwick and Moria Holas; 28 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Taking in WHL commissioner Ron Robison's response Friday night to reporters' questions about the ruthless sanctions imposed on the Winterhawks early this season brought to mind the famous line of distempered tennis legend John McEnroe:

"You can't be serious!"

The commissioner's annual press conference prior to the opener of the WHL finals was the Portland media's first crack at Robison since he laid down by far the stiffest penalties in the league's 47-year history back in November.

To his credit, I guess, Robison accepted each and every query, virtually all in reference to the sanctions.

Didn't really answer hardly a one.

His lips moved, but I kept hearing programmed sound bites that never took care of the multitude of mysteries that remain unanswered in the Great Scalping of the Hawks.

Remember, Portland was fined $200,000, general manager/coach Mike Johnston was suspended for the rest of the season and the club was relieved of nine future draft picks -- the first five this year, the No. 1 selection in each of the next four seasons -- for player-benefit violations.

Most of them were for paying for flights for family members to and from Portland. There were some illegal payments for offseason training sessions. Portland was also docked for paying for a cell phone of its team captain for three straight years.

These are infractions that deserve to be penalized. I could see a $20,000 fine (which, even at that, would be four times the highest previous fine in league history), a five-game suspension for Johnston and loss of a first-round pick.

Instead, the Hawks sustained as close to the death penalty as a major junior hockey club can get.

Asked first about the extent of the penalties, Robison began with this:

"I'm hoping we don't have to get into a lot of details. We've indicated that matter is really internal. The regulations are very clear on what the sanctions are for violations of player benefits. The violations were extensive. The sanctions were extensive as a result. In the WHL, we want to maintain a level playing field. We want to make sure all franchises have equal access to the talent pool. We want to protect our business model. All that was taken into account."

There's so much to attack there. Let's begin with, what do you mean, you hope you don't have to get into details? At some point, isn't transparency the best policy?

It's internal? When you levy penalties so harsh there is nothing even close in precedent in WHL history, shouldn't there be some extended explanation? What do you have to hide?

The regulations are absolutely not clear. I looked through the WHL rulebook, which prohibits teams from paying for flights for family members during a team's annual "Parents Weekend." There is nothing, however, that specifically addresses any other time of year.

The Hawks' contention was, "We didn't know flying in family members at other times wasn't legal." The league's contention was, "You should have known. It was understood by everyone in the league."

When asked a second time about the specific rules violations, Robison answered, "The regulations are internal. The information has been made very clear. There were violations. They're written down in the regulations, absolutely. The information was provided to the club, but for internal purposes only."

Wait a minute. They are written into the regulations, but kept secret from the general public? For what reason? It's like NBA Commissioner David Stern saying the Trail Blazers broke a rule for tampering with a player, and it's in the rulebook, but we're not going to let the public see it. You just have to take our word for it. Robison's stipulation is not only nonsensical, but untrue.

What became clear during Robison's remarks was a contempt for what the league feels is dishonesty on the Winterhawks' part during the initial investigation. That, Robison said, led to more serious sanctions.

"It was the lack of disclosure that was forthcoming from the franchise when questioned previously and a lot of other factors … including the number of violations overall," Robison said. "What was the issue initially is there was a separate agreement entered in with another player, unknown by the league, and the club did not provide full disclosure initially on that agreement."

Robison's reference, evidently, is to Seth Swenson, who after being traded in January 2012 to Seattle, revealed an agreement to fly in family members by the Winterhawks. Hawks management contends they didn't know such a deal was illegal. They also believe they were totally upfront as the organization underwent the most thorough independent audit in league history.

Robison conceded the Hawks disputed the WHL's interpretation of the rules.

"But ultimately, the league determines what those rules are, and they were broken in our minds," he said. "That's provided internally, and everyone in the Western Hockey League is satisfied with that."

I can offer one team that isn't.

Asked why he ducked interview requests from Portland media after the ruling, Robison said, "We issued two separate releases on the matter. That was the fairest way to do it. We didn't feel there was any need for any further comment."

I'll let you decide if Robison's reasoning has merit.

The most egregious part of the WHL sanctions is that there is -- I kid you not -- no appeals process. Unless they were willing to go to court, the Hawks pretty much had to like or lump it.

"In our league, we feel any issue of concern to a franchise can be raised with the Board of Governors," Robison said. "The matter was discussed at the February meeting. (Portland owner) Bill Gallacher and (president) Doug Piper have every right to bring that up again at any Board of Governors meeting."

Each WHL club has a representative -- either an owner or team president -- on the Board of Governors. Any appeal of a league sanction should not go there but to an independent arbiter, who has no vested interest in any team.

Robison did little Friday night to dispel the notion that the league engaged in a witch hunt of a franchise that rose from the dregs before Gallacher took over in 2008 to the top of the food chain in four short years.

The investigation found infractions, but nothing major.

The sanctions sure were, though.

And we really don't know any more about them after Robison's little talk with the Fourth Estate than we did back in November, when the wrath of Robison rained down on our local hockey club.

kerryeggers@portlandtribune.com

Twitter: @kerryeggers

Portland put on the pressure to tie the Western Hockey League finals Saturday night, beating Edmonton 3-0 before 10,947 fans at the Rose Garden with the Winterhawks' typical game — speed, puck management, pinpoint shots, stifling defense and steady play from goaltender Mac Carruth.

"We were good tonight," coach Travis Green said. "We had to come out and play a really good game. I liked our energy and compete level for the whole 60 minutes. We were solid. When you're in the finals, you have to play a complete game."

The Winterhawks, who lost the series opener 4-1 at home on Friday, controlled play in the early going, again, and took advantage of four Edmonton penalties in the first period.

With Travis Ewanyk in the penalty box for charging Presten Kopeck, the Hawks broke through. Ty Rattie scored his 16th playoff goal off Nicolas Petan's playmaking in front of Edmonton goalie Laurent Brossoit for a 1-0 lead.

Just like in Friday's game, the Hawks had two shorthanded opportunities at the end of the first period, and came up empty.

The Oil Kings had only three first-period shots.

Then, after fending off the Oil Kings' second-period rally, the Winterhawks quickly made it 3-0 near the end of the period. Brendan Leipsic picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, skated in on Brossoit and rifled a shot over the goalie's glove hand. One minute and 20 seconds later, Oliver Bjorkstrand also beat Brossoit on the glove side on a pass from Derrick Pouliot.

Carruth & Co. held Edmonton off the score sheet in the third period, with the record-setting goalie notching his eight career playoff shutout and 19th overall.

The Oil Kings had only two shots in the third period, as Portland outshot Edmonton 36-16 for the game, and very few of the visiting team's 16 chances would be considered quality. Carruth credited Portland's skaters for clearing space in front of him.

Edmonton will play host to the Hawks on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"From the get-go, Portland really took it to us," Edmonton coach Derek Laxdal said after Game 2. "The penalties didn't help in the first period. We couldn't get any traction in the game."

Laxdal lamented what he saw as a tripping noncall on his top scorer, Michael St. Croix, with the score 1-0 in the first period, but the Oil Kings considered the Hawks the better team in Game 2.

The Hawks appeared one step ahead of the Oil Kings with their transition game and speed, and they limited the mistakes that led to Edmonton's Game 1 victory the night before.

Portland had seven power-play chances to Edmonton's three.

"Portland's the type of team that will sting you," Laxdal added. "We had to handle a lot of pressure.

"With Portland's skill level, if you're going to sit in the box all night, they're going to tear you apart. ... Their speed is unbelievable. They've got great transition. They got forwards who can scoot. Look at their passing, they were pretty sharp; we had a lot of passes that were off. It's tough to pick up pucks when they're at your feet, and you're trying to attack defensemen. We didn't do a good job of getting pucks in deep against them."

Portland had several games during the season where the Hawks limited chances. Saturday's game was another example — five shots combined in the first and third periods.

"We played hard. We were on top of the puck for 60 minutes," Green said.

"Your work ethic has to be at a high level to play well defensively. You have to manage the puck," offensively with passing and possession and defensively by not allowing breakouts. "They worked hard, blocked shots. We talked about doing the little things in the playoffs, and it's not easy to win this time of year. You have to put a lot of effort in, and (Saturday) we obviously did."

Said Edmonton forward Stephane Legault: "They just played a better game than us. They deserved to win that one. We've got to get more than five shots combined (in first and third). So, we're going to work on that — get more pucks to the net, get more guys to the net and be better next game."

Edmonton, of course, had already accomplished something with its Game 1 victory, which came only 72 hours after the Oil Kings finished off Calgary in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Oil Kings get some rest now — about 72 hours — but still will play without injured star defenseman Griffin Reinhart and possibly forward Trevor Cheek. Reinhart's absence means more minutes for other Edmonton D-men.

Portland has controlled play early in both games, which would bode well for Green's team in Edmonton.

"We have to have energy," Laxdal said. "I thought we were a little zapped on back-to-back nights."

An interception return is the only blemish in Portlands 16-6 win over Everett on Saturday.

MILWAUKIE — The Everett Reign had just converted a long fourth-down play and were driving for the go-ahead touchdown with the ball inside the 20-yard line when the Portland Fighting Fillies defense decided it had seen enough.

On the next snap, linebacker Jasmine Teters came around the end and took down Everett running back Brooklyn Holton from behind for a 2-yard loss. Teters clogged the middle to hold the Reign for no gain on the next play, setting up a pivotal 4th-and-4.

Everett’s offense couldn’t shift out of reverse, as Fillies’ linebacker Ashley Kondziela broke into the backfield and tossed running back Lynzee Felder down for a 7-yard loss.

“We didn’t anticipate them doing much, but it was still a big stop,” Teters said. “We started going quick and were able to anticipate their snap count.”

The Fillies took possession and put together an 11-play, 76-yard drive that drained more than five minutes off the clock. Running back Holly Custis picked up big gains of 15 and 29 yards before QB Rebekah Chee went untouched through the middle for the touchdown at the goal line.

“We just kept hammering the ball at them. What we were doing was working, so we just stayed with it,” Custis said. “That last play it was like Moses and the Red Sea — it just parted wide open.”

The drive produced the final points of the day in the Fillies 16-6 win.

Everett made one last trip across midfield, but an interception by Cassie Dunsire secured the victory with five minutes to play.

The Fillies (3-1) are second in the Northwest Division and travel to Tacoma (0-4) Saturday, May 11.

Dunsire used her foot to give Portland the early edge, booting punts of 47 and 53 yards in the first half. The longer of the two rolled to a stop inside the 5-yard line, as the Fillies enjoyed a healthy edge in field position in the first quarter.

Working with a short field, Portland moved into scoring position on four straight runs by Custis before putting the ball into the air. Chee made a quick pass to Dunsire along the sideline where she spun away from two tacklers and stretched the ball over the goal line before being shoved out of bounds.

Everett answered with Holton picking off a pass and returning it 55 yards for a TD. But Portland’s Christy McAtee blocked the extra point to keep the Fillies in front 7-6.

The score would stay frozen going into halftime.

Everett had a chance for something big on its first play of the second half when Abbie Vancil came around the left side with a blocker in front. But a flash of purple ended the play when Melanie Allen raced ahead of the blocker and made an open-field tackle on Vancil holding her to a 1-yard gain.

The Reign would go three-and-out on the series.

Penalties slowed Portland’s offense, but the Fillies would add points to the scoreboard before the third quarter was over. Custis rambled around the left side for a big gain on 3rd-and-20, but was still pulled down short of the marker.

Portland kept its offense on the field and sent Custis around the other side. Facing 4th-and-2, she found heavy traffic for a moment, but broke to the inside and moved the chains with an 8-yard gain.

The drive eventually stalled with Custis on the sideline tending a cut on her forearm. But Allen kicked a 32-yard field goal, the team’s first of the season, to extend the margin to 10-6.

View a photo gallery from the game at ...

http://daveball.exposuremanager.com/g/may4_fillies-everett_football

Her parents hadn’t attended college, and after watching her sister struggle with the application process, Ehlers sought help in navigating the higher education system.

A three-sport athlete who participated in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), Ehlers committed two hours twice a week her junior and senior year to a program called College Possible.

After graduating from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., this spring, the St. Paul, Minn., native will move to the Portland area to become a coach for the region’s newly launched College Possible program, mentoring low-income students in East Multnomah County.

“It’s become a big part of my life in strange ways I didn’t expect,” Ehlers said of College Possible. “I have a big heart for underprivileged youth. Before, I was the one who needed help. Now I want to be an advocate for someone else.”

College Possible Portland is in the process of recruiting low-income sophomores from Davis Douglas, Gresham, Reynolds and Sam Barlow high schools who have a desire to earn college degrees.

Recruitment for Gresham High will continue through May, while the other schools will finish up Friday, May 3.

In its 13-year history, 98 percent of College Possible participants have been accepted to college, and nearly 94 percent have gone on to enroll in college. These students are 10 times more likely to earn a college degree than low-income students nationally.

Ken Thrasher, a retired CEO, East County education advocate and now board chairman of College Possible, saw these statistics and identified the nonprofit organization as one that would benefit communities in the Portland area.

For its first Oregon group, College Possible will accept 140 students for the fall of 2013. The program relies on AmeriCorps coaches who act as friends and role models to the students, often staying in contact long after students have graduated.

“We call it a near peer relationship,” said Catherine Ryan Gregory, a communications VISTA staff member for College Possible Portland. “These students have big ambitions for college, but don’t always know how to make it happen.”

Like Ehlers, students will meet for two hours twice a week after class at school their junior and seniors years, completing more than 320 hours of programming. Through College Possible, juniors prepare for the SAT and ACT and learn about the college application process, while seniors submit college, scholarship and financial aid applications. Additionally, College Possible takes students on tours of college campuses that interest them.

“If no one in their families have been to college or graduated from college, it can be a pretty big leap for them to imagine being on a campus like Portland State University,” Ryan Gregory said. “(The tours) can be a turning point for students.”

So far, College Possible Portland has seen an overwhelming response in East County, especially at Reynolds High School. On Friday, April 26, Reynolds sophomore Ikram Ismail stopped by to interview with College Possible. She lit up talking about her future dreams.

“I really want to go to college, and I’ve been working really hard at it,” Ismail said. “I want to work in government — in law enforcement or as an ambassador.”

To be eligible for College Possible, students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and qualify as low-income by receiving free or reduced lunch or coming from a family with a lower income than the median income for families in the district.

While the program is geared toward students interested in four-year colleges, Ryan Gregory said it also welcomes students who may pursue the trades, associate’s degrees and certificates.

“We push for opportunity," she said. "Sometimes students, especially if they don’t have a lot of role models, might not immediately picture themselves going to a four-year college. They may change their minds. We’ve found that low-income students and students from minority groups that are severely under-represented can really increase their earning potential with a bachelor’s degree.”

By 2020, College Possible is expected to reach 20,000 students in 10 locations across the country. Program leaders are hopeful it can help end the cycle of poverty in communities like those in East Multnomah County.

“I hope that the students will be empowered, more confident in themselves and appreciative of their diverse backgrounds and experiences,” Ehlers said.

For more information, visit collegepossible.org, call 503-907-0248 or email CRyanGregory@CollegePossible.org.