EV Well Represented At Environmental Conference

On his name tag, Corey Holcomb-Hockin wrote in small letters: “Only one from EVHS.”

Not only that, he was the only Valley student who spoke at the first annual Spokane Youth Environmental Conference, held this week at Gonzaga University.

Holcomb gave his presentation on the dangers of ultraviolet light the old-fashioned way. No slides, no slick graphics.

“Sorry, my presentation isn’t very high-tech,” he said.

He hunched over his paper and talked about concerns that sunscreen can’t protect us from all three types of ultraviolet light, about damage that UV light causes to phytoplankton, at the bottom of the marine food chain.

A recent study, he said, shows that sunscreen isn’t protecting users from skin cancer. Researchers aren’t sure why.

And just how does ultraviolet light hurt people? Holcomb explained that UV light causes minute mutations in our cells and weakens our immune system’s ability to repair those changes.

At the end of his speech, his audience zeroed in on the question of sunscreen.

“If sunscreen doesn’t work, what are we supposed to other than stay out of the sun?” This, from a young lady in the back of the room.

Holcomb answered the same way a dermatologist might have: Use sun screen; it helps some. Limit your time in the sun, so that you don’t sunburn. And use clothing, hats and sunglasses.

Holcomb is a junior at East Valley and a Running Start student at Spokane Community College. His presentation, which outstripped others in his breakout session for detail and depth, started as a project for Chemistry 100 at SCC.

The learning, he said, was fun. Making the presentation was harder. He was nervous before his speech.

And how did he, the only East Valley student, get into the conference?

“I heard about it on the radio,” he said.

Don’t rain on our parade

Never mind the rain.

Kindergartners wearing alphabet-hats, alpha-ants and firemen’s suits poured out of the Millwood School last Thursday, and marched around the block.

The West Valley High School band played. Loud, for little ears. A few bus loads of Indians, er, first-graders, joined in the parade. Moms took snapshots. Little brothers and sisters looked on.

Millwood principal Dan Kelly led the spring parade, from the sunroof of someone’s car, throwing candy and practicing his princess wave.

‘Guys and Dolls’ at U-Hi

The University High School drama department is producing the musical comedy “Guys and Dolls.”

The show will run May 27-30. Each show starts at 7 p.m. in the U-Hi small cafeteria.

Tickets are $5, or $4 with an ASB card.

The leading roles are played by seniors David Bunnell, as Sky Masterson, and Peter Liptak, as Nathan Detroit. Sarah Atkinson, a junior, plays Miss Adelaide. Vanessa Liptak, a junior, plays Sarah Brown.

Student volunteer honored

University High School junior Devon Van Dyne won second place in the United Way Volunteer of the Year and JC Penney Golden Rule awards.

Van Dyne was honored for her work as co-chair of the Youth Chase Awards committee.