The Bellingham Herald

• Mentorship program will show K-12 students the benefits of college
  When Cyndie Shepard moved to Bellingham last year with her husband, Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard, she wasn't sure how she would spend her time. But the decision was quickly made for her: She's replicating a mentorship program that she started in Green Bay, Wis.

The Seattle Times

• Legislature needs to let Universities raise tuition
  Dire budgets call for a dramatic response. Tuition at Washington's four-year colleges and universities should rise significantly to preserve student access, quality and years of progress toward preparing a sophisticated work force.
  Gov. Chris Gregoire and leaders of four-year institutions have asked for an eye-popping 14-percent increase each of the next two years. Not to mince words or math: Compounded one year over the other, that's a 30-percent increase. Students attending the University of Washington, Washington State University and Western Washington University would experience tuition hikes of about $1,300 to nearly $2,000 over two years.

Seattle P-I.com

• Former Western star living his Seahawks dream
  Shane Simmons hadn't entirely given up the idea of some day playing in the NFL, but when you're living with your parents in Kent and working as a trainer at L.A. Fitness, it does seem a long way from glory.
  Then your phone rings, it's the Seahawks on the line and, well, next thing you know you're running around the practice field next to Lofa Tatupu and Marcus Trufant and the boys in blue you've been watching for years.
  And, yeah, life is suddenly very cool.

Tacoma News-Tribune

• Higher tuition doesn't mean less access
  Over the decades, beginning in the 1960s when access to college was increased just as the baby boomers reached college age, we have equated low tuition with high opportunity. All students benefited equally, whether their parents worked in the factory or owned the factory.
  Right now a year’s tuition at the University of Washington is $6,250, with taxpayers chipping in another $20,000 for each student. That’s one reason why the UW is No. 11 on the Kiplinger list of the 100 best college bargains (Western Washington University is 56th and Washington State University 89th).

Victoria Times-Colonist

• Highlanders start to make a name for themselves
  The Victoria Highlanders of the United Soccer League’s Premier Development League division have signed Pele. Well, at least the American version from Kennewick, Wash.
  “I guess I was destined to play soccer,” sighed Matt Pele, sounding like a guy who has heard all the comments before.
  “My name is the first thing anybody brings up when they learn that I play soccer. And, of course, the opposition fans have a lot of fun with it and heckle me a lot,” added the NCAA Division II second-team all-American out of Western Washington University.