Teen wins first trails club scholarship
July 20, 2010
By Paige Collins
Skyline High School graduate Miles Burns is the first winner of the Issaquah Alps Trails Club scholarship of $1,000. The scholarship is in honor of Bill Longwell, a founding member of the club, which began in 1979.
Miles Burns
The 10 applicants for the scholarship were each evaluated on their essay, The Significance of the Issaquah Alps, as well as basic academic information, according to Doug Simpson, vice president of the club.
The three runner-ups— Jaron Kent-Tobias and Rachel Grasso, of Skyline, and Jenna Lambdin, of Issaquah High School — each received $100.
Miles Burns finished 10th in his class at Skyline and had a cumulative 3.95 grade point average. He was also an International Baccalaureate diploma student, Key Club president, National Honor Society board member and he participated in Junior State of America Club at Skyline.This fall, he is headed to Davidson College in North Carolina, and he said he’s ready to experience more of the world.
“I love it out here and I love all the people,” he said. “I like the Seattle culture, but I’m definitely excited to head out and try something new.”
As for what he wants to study, Burns said it has been tough to decide, but that he is sure political science will be somehow involved.
He said he is very appreciative of the quality education he received from Skyline and how it prepared him for college.
“I think that the Full IB Diploma helps set you up for independence and be willing to put yourself out there and try something a little bit different,” he said.
Burns heard about the Issaquah Alps scholarship from the Career Center at Skyline, and just felt like he had something to say about the subject.
“I honestly just had something that I wanted to say about the Issaquah Alps because I think it’s a prominent feature in this area in particular,” he said. “I was shocked, really, that I won.”
Paige Collins: 392-6434 or isspress@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.
The Issaquah Alps: A Multitude of Reactions
By Miles Burns
A multitude of reactions come to mind when reflecting on the Issaquah Alps. My first feeling is one of emotion. I always feel comforted when I see the mountains while driving home on Interstate 90. They welcome me home from vacation or a trip to the mall and allow me to feel peaceful, safe and secure as they stand waiting for me. They also act as a weather beacon for my family. My mother will always say, “Look at the snow in the mountains. . . it’s really winter” or “It must be spring — look at the mountains.” The mountains are an integral part of my everyday existence living on the plateau, and I feel really lucky that I live where they reside!
HAPPY. I am happy to live in an area where the mountains and their trees, streams, lakes, fish, rock formations and native animals are preserved.
GRATEFUL. I am grateful that Harvey Manning, our early local environmentalist, was smart enough to change the foothills’ name to something as grand as “the Alps” to help conserve them for all of us. The “Alps” name allowed their status to improve and the foothills to be considered worthy of public conservation. That was a great move to save these mountains for all of us.
ENJOYABLE. There is nothing more invigorating, entertaining and beautiful than walking though the mountains. You start to understand how old they are by looking at the rock formations and some old-growth trees and get to view beautiful vistas, native plants, birds and, if you are lucky, some animals. It is fun, interesting and an event that friends and family can enjoy together. I know that seeing something beautiful or experiencing something funny or even slightly scary together lets us experience something unpredictable — nature. It is healthy and educational fun.
VERSATILE. The Issaquah Alps Trails Club has been instrumental in opening up the mountains to the public by providing free access to trails they have developed. The IATC has also been a strong advocate for the mountains via the Greenway Trust that has worked with timber companies and developers. The trust was able to negotiate an additional 400 acres on Cougar Mountain for open space by allowing more density in housing on 165 acres there. It was great for the environment and stopped urban sprawl taking over more of the mountain by Talus.
ENGENDERING ENVIRONMENTALISM. Each of the mountains has unique characteristics and interesting features. Hikers may have guided tours that allow them to experience the diverse beauty of each area and the fragility of the mountains and their inhabitants and demonstrate the importance of saving them. The more I live in the Issaquah area, the more the mountains call out to me. I now understand that the protection of our mountains and its inhabitants is worthy of my concern and activism.
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
