Union-Bulletin

Members of the Whitman College Student Athlete Advisory Committee rallied recently with a week-long coin drive and raised $738.61 to benefit animals at Blue Mountain Humane Society, said Sara Archer, BMHS executive director, in a release.

SAAC includes representatives from all varsity athlete teams at Whitman, said co-presidents and seniors Alyssa Bader, varsity swimmer and anthropology major, and Jenele Peterson, varsity basketball player and biology major.

"Each spring schools in the conference hold a coin drive, taking donation containers to varsity meets to raise funds for the charity of their choice.

Following a rewarding experience walking shelter dogs at Blue Mountain Humane Society during their winter service day in December, the SAAC voted to raise funds for the charity that works to prevent cruelty and promote kindness to companion animals it our community," Sara said in a release.

"It was a personal connection we all felt following our service day," Alyssa said.

"That connection really motivated us to encourage participation in our coin drive."

Donation containers were placed around campus as well as passed among the stands at meets at home and on the road.

Half of the proceeds from ticket sales to the men's and women's basketball games held on Valentine's Day were added to the effort.

The joint is really jumpin' these days. "Which joint?" I hear you wondering. Why Walla Walla High School, where the music department featured a concert and a recital last week. Now, for the third year in a row, Wa-Hi Director of Choirs Norb Rossi is managing the Columbia Basin Music Educators Vocal Solo-Ensemble Festival here Friday.

He expects more than 140 entries from seven schools in the area to the fest, which is free of charge and open to the community.

Events will run from about 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the high school, 800 Abbott Road.

Programs will be available in the Commons and Norb plans to post the schedule on the Wa-Hi Choir website.

Many students will vie for the opportunity to compete on the state level in 12 different categories.

Etcetera appears in daily and Sunday editions. Annie Charnley Eveland can be reached at annieeveland@wwub.com or afternoons at 526-8313.