Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (March 21, 2001)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, March 21, 2001 VHS senior Myriam Gendron receives DAR Good Citizen Award Myriam Gendron, a senior at Vernonia High School, was the Columbia County winner of an essay competition sponsored by the Daughters of American Revolution (DAR). Gendron earned first place, and one of three Good Citizens Awards, with her essay on pre serving the American heritage. She was chosen for the com petition by local DAR member Patricia Wheeler on the basis of her application, which in cluded personal information, recommendations, transcripts and test scores. The DAR annual scholar ship contest includes cash prizes along with the awards at county, district, state and na tional levels. One candidate from each high school in Co lumbia County was selected for participation. “It was an honor to repre sent my school," said Gendron. “I didn’t know how many other applicants there would be, but I figured I would try. “I was so glad when they an nounced my name,” she con tinued. “My essay went on to district, where it placed sec ond. If it had gotten first, I would have gone on to state. Still, I’m glad I participated.” MADD offers suggestions for spring teen events Award winners Sophia Franz of Scappoose High School, at left, and Myriam Gendron of Vernonia High School flank Act ing Regent Patricia Wheeler of Mount St. Helens Daughters of American Revolution. Not pictured is Paula Nagunst, award winner from Rainier High School. Forums on health issues for men Tuality Health Education the U.S. suffer from erectile Center will present three free dysfunction. This presentation classes on health issues for will explore current research men on Saturday, April 14, and treatment options for male impotence, especially as it re from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The first class, Colorectal lates to men who have been di Cancer Update, will be led by agnosed with cancer. At 11:15 a.m., Self-Esteem Patrick Y. Lee, M.D., colon and and Sexual Performance will rectal surgeon, Tuality Health care medical staff. Cancer of be led by Jerry Shipp, M.A., the colon and rectum has be LMFT, licensed psychologist, come a significant killer in this marriage and family therapist, Psychological & country, largely because of Western people’s discomfort with get Counseling Services, Hillsboro. ting tested. In this program, Today’s American male has a participants will gain an under lot of his identity and self-es standing of the current re teem wrapped up in his sexual search on the potential causes ity. When sexual performance of colorectal cancer, the latest is threatened or impaired by in diagnostic and screening disease or surgery, men may techniques and treatment op question their “maleness” and wonder if they are “doomed” to tions. Evaluating Treatment for Im a life of celibacy. This frank potence will begin at 10:15 presentation will focus on the a.m., led by Shammai Rock- emotional and relational efforts ove, M.D., director, Center for of this physical impairment. The Tuality Health Educa Men’s and Women’s Urology, Gresham; and former director tion Center is located at 334 of Erectile Dysfunction Center, SE Eighth Avenue in Hillsboro. Oregon Health Sciences Uni The classes are free and no versity. About 30 million men in registration is required. Apply now for local scholarships Local scholarship applica tions are now available at the Vernonia High School office for seniors and alumni. There will be more than $30,000 in local scholarship funds for students pursuing post-high school training. The due date for appli cations is April 23 at 5:00 p.m. For more information, call Jill Griffin at VHS, 503-429- 3521. Academy looks at Scappoose site A public meeting is sched uled for March 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Scappoose High School cafeteria to consider a propos al to site a new campus for the state law enforcement training academy next to Scappoose Airport. The academy, operat ed by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, is currently located in Mon mouth. LOW CO$T CAR LOANS Vernonia Federal Credit Union • 503429-8031 Spring break, prom time and graduation are the highlights of the school year for many teens. It is a time for celebration. MADD, Columbia County Traffic Safety Commission and local law enforcement agen cies remind you that these are also times for celebrations of joyous events in your children’s lives. Before allowing alcohol to become a part of these cele brations, consider the risks. Furnishing alcoholic bever ages to someone other than your own child in your own res- idence is against the law. It can lead to fines of up to $1,000 per minor cited and thirty days in jail. The person providing the alcohol, or even providing a place to party, can be required to pay restitution for any dam ages incurred and can be sued in civil court. You may also be held liable for any damages from traffic crashes that are the result of consumption on your premises. Deciding that “at least the drinking can be controlled if it is in my home” will not do your children or their friends any fa vors. Before you provide alco hol to teenagers, ask yourself if you can afford to take the risk of losing everything, including your home, job and possibly someone’s life? Every parent’s worst night mare is a knock on the door in the middle of the night. Be sure your child comes home safe and sober. For more information, plus suggestions for safe and sober celebrations, call 503-397- 6157 or visit www.madd.org Qual-Med Health Plan fined by insurance division QualMed Oregon Health Plan, Inc., has been fined $50,000 for violating state in surance laws and administra tive rules. The fine was imposed after a market conduct examination by the Insurance Division of the Oregon Department of Con sumer and Business Services of the company’s operations from April to July, 1999. QualMed, now known as Health Net Health Plan of Ore gon, Inc., admitted to failing to pay health insurance claims without conducting a reason able investigation. Insurance Division examiners found that QualMed refused to pay almost a third of randomly selected claims without a reasonable in vestigation. QualMed also admitted to improperly imposing pre-exist ing condition limits and not giv ing individuals credit for previ ous coverage under the Ore gon Health Plan. They also ad mitted to improperly using indi vidual health statements to de termine whether to provide group health coverage. The Insurance Division found similar violations by QualMed during past market conduct examinations. QualMed has been licensed in Oregon as a domestic health care service contractor since 1989. Its main administrative offices are in Clackamas. The company was fined $15,000 by the Insurance Divi sion in 1996 for improperly denying emergency room claims without conducting a reasonable investigation. For complete copies of In surance Division enforcement actions, visit the division’s web site at <www.oregoninsuran ce.org> Click on Enforcement actions. Time to sign up for Great Oregon Beach Clean-up Mark your calendar for Sat urday, March 31 - the 17th An nual Great Oregon Spring Beach Cleanup. Thousands of volunteers who care about Oregon’s livability are needed to help at the state’s beaches from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to clean the entire coastline be tween the Washington and Cal ifornia borders. Volunteers are asked to check in at one of 40 meeting sites, pick up a bag and head down to the beach to do their part in improving our coastline for wildlife and sum mer visitors. Coordinators of the event suggest volunteers bring gloves and wear sturdy shoes. Complimentary bags will be furnished by beach cleanup coordinators. Groups of 20 or more are asked to reg ister in advance with the appro priate Zone Captain. “We want to emphasize Vol unteer Safety this spring more than ever,” said Jack Mc Gowan, SOLV’s Executive Di rector. “Knowledge of basic beach safety and adherence to some basic guidelines can help reduce the potential for acci dents and injuries." Volunteers are requested to be aware of these safety tips while on the beach: • Don’t turn your back on the able from SOLV for $10. The ocean. Watch out for sneaker poster was created by Sand waves. ström Design and produced by • Don’t play on or around Moore Litho, Color Technology, logs. Graphic Arts Center Publishing • Exercise extreme caution Co., and Lincoln & Allen on rocks and cliffs. Bindery. For more information, call The Spring Beach Cleanup SOLV at 1-800-322-3326 or poster, an Oregon coast color visit their web site at photo by Rick Schafer, is avail- <www.solv.org> SPECIAL!! L a s e r P ap er $400 ■ W hite o nly per ream 8-1/2” x 11" Need just a few sheets? Come on in, we sell paper by the sheet. Colored paper,too Pastels • Brights • Neons The INDEPENDENT 725 Bridge Street. Vernonia, OR 97064 Phone/Fax (503) 429-9410
