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The man, the myth, the quiet assassin -- Anthony Bergeron. (John Fisken photos)

The man, the myth, the quiet assassin — Anthony Bergeron. (John Fisken photos)

Senior Night, eyeballing mom Avis Mitchell.

Senior Night, eyeballing mom Avis Mitchell.

Dr. Dunkenstein. (Shelli Trumbull photo)

Dr. Dunkenstein. (Shelli Trumbull photo)

Anthony Bergeron was the quietest hoops sensation I’ve ever met.

The former Coupeville High School basketball stud (who could also get up in the air and haul down a pass or two on the football field) let his game speak for itself.

And it did.

In the two seasons he played as a Wolf, Bergeron took huge strides. Literally.

He went from a tentative player at the start of his junior campaign — the first time he had played organized basketball — to a high-flying, 20-point-a-game, slam-dunking highlight machine by the time he was a senior.

Bergeron was the lone Coupeville hoops star on the boys’ side of the game who could take a game over last season and simply dominate. When he was on and clicking, it was a thing of beauty.

Not that you would know it by his demeanor, however.

He was never one to throw out his chest and thump it during a game.

Bergeron treated his opponents, and the game itself, with respect, a trait most likely handed down from his mom, Avis Mitchell, a highly-respected local coach.

Anthony had a playful side, which you could see come out during practice and warmups.

But when the game tipped off, he was all business and it was a pleasure to see him take such an upward surge in his ability and confidence.

Soon, he will be playing college ball, and continuing to impress us all.

But today, since it’s his birthday, we’ll make him slow down for just a second.

You were, and are, a genuine class act, on the court and off, Mr. Bergeron.

We, your fans, were privileged to bear witness to your rapid growth and were blessed to have you join Wolf Nation even for a relatively short time.

Best wishes as you go forward. Keep showing them your talents run deep.

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Corinne Gaddis, the early years. (Photo courtesy Ellen Christensen)

Corinne Gaddis, the early years. (Photo courtesy Ellen Christensen)

Gaddis

   Gaddis (right), modern day, with sisters Hannah Christensen (left) and Brandy Moe.

Gaddis with dad Jack.

With dad Jack at a Mariners game.

If there’s a special glow in the sky this morning, it’s because the Earth knows what’s up — today a legend was born.

Corinne Gaddis was one of the best athletes to ever cruise through the hallways at Coupeville High School.

Pick a sport, any sport and she would kick your butt at it, while beaming one of the greatest smiles to ever grace Cow Town.

How good was she?

When Gaddis graduated, the town got together and, realizing no one was ever going to match her awesomeness, went and tore the whole school down and built a new one just to give those who followed her a chance at a fresh start.

True story.

But once she was done blazing around the track oval at CHS (back when the Wolves could still host home track meets) and dropping the hammer on the basketball court, Gaddis didn’t stop being awesome.

She went on to graduate from Washington State University and is now a teacher and athletic trainer at Tahoma High School.

Corinne is following in the footsteps of mom and step-dad Ellen and Erik Christensen, teachers of great renown at Oak Harbor High School.

Undoubtedly she is making the duo, and her dad, Jack Gaddis, even prouder of her every day.

The bright, brilliant ball of fire that captivated Coupeville is now out in the real world, spreading knowledge and joy to a new generation.

The kid who hung out at Videoville (in the brief moments when she wasn’t busy with book learnin’ and athletic conquests) is 26 today.

While I haven’t seen Corinne in person in a while, I have no doubt she remains as effervescent and sweet-natured as she was as a teen.

I’m confident in this because I have never, ever seen a photo of her where her sunny smile didn’t pour out of the frame and envelop the universe in a virtual hug.

Corinne Gaddis has always been one of those truly special people whose mere presence makes those around her happier.

Brilliant. Amazing. Genuine.

She’s all that, and so much more.

Happy birthday, Miss Gaddis. May your smile continue to light the world for a very long time.

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Clockwise, from left, are Dalton Martin, Skyler Lawrence and Grey Rische.

Clockwise, from left, are Dalton Martin, Skyler Lawrence and Grey Rische.

Wolf Nation was not born in a day, but huge chunks of it apparently were.

Today might not be the single biggest blizzard of birthdays involving CHS athletes — Aug. 13 had five, headed up by all-world Valen Trujillo — but Oct. 1 has got some sparkle to it.

At least three young guns all popped into the world on this day, and little did anyone know they would all one day be starring for the red and black.

Dalton Martin started as a football player, morphed into a tennis ace and has brought the heat on the basketball court and track oval.

Grey Rische is a man for all seasons, playing tennis (where he often teams up with brother Jared Helmstadter for doubles), basketball and track.

And Skyler Lawrence is a standout on the basketball court (where I have yet to see another player pull a rebound away from her grasp … ever) and as a track thrower.

The trio share several things beyond a birthday and a school.

All three are hard workers, both in athletics and the classroom, seem to have a genuine sense of joy when they’re playing and stand as solid citizens.

Oct. 1 was very, very good to Wolf athletics and we wish the trio much cake and well wishes. You guys (and gal) deserve nothing less.

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Birthday girl Mattea Miller (left) and guest writer Valen Trujillo.

Birthday girl Mattea Miller (left) and guest writer Valen Trujillo.

Tater is a winner.

A ray of sunshine in the Coupeville sports scene, Wolf sophomore Mattea Miller, a standout athlete and all-around wonderful young woman, turns 16 today.

I could ramble on about her or I could step aside and let guest columnist Valen Trujillo, a fellow CHS athlete and close friend of the birthday girl, have the floor. Yep, that’s what I’m going to do.

Mattea Lynn Miller. What an amazing girl.

Today is her Sweet 16th birthday! Where do I even start?

I’ve known her for about three years now. She has shown me that everyone needs a best friend by your side.

She also shows me how to loosen up and have fun! (She has a “Just Do It” mentality).

“M” in Mattea stands for Multi-talented. She loves to play basketball, run track & dabble in soccer.

Mattea also has a talent to eat the most amount of sweets in one sitting … without getting sick! It amazes me every time! Haha.

The “A” in her name stands for Absolutely funny.

Somehow, she always finds a way to crack me up and make me laugh so hard I cry. Her sense of humor is priceless.

Next, the first “T” stands for True and pure.

Mattea has a personality that people can only wish for.

She is true to her word and never breaks the promises she makes. She’s strong in what she believes in without confrontation.

The second “T” stands for Thoughtful.

A prime example of this is opening up our shared locker in the morning and seeing a note addressed to “Valen” with a pack of gum.

The note just said “I hope you have a great day! Love Mattea”.

Random acts of kindness, the world needs more of it!

The “E” stands for Exciting. She is one adventurous girl!

If you ever need anyone to go jump off something, with a blindfold on, while eating a sandwich, you know who to call.

Mattea has boosts of confidence that surprise yet excite me all at the same time. She brings me out of my comfort zone, in a good way of course.

Lastly, the “A” stands for All round the best friend someone could ask for. I’m blessed to have her in my life.

Mattea Lynn, I hope you have the best birthday! Enjoy every moment of it. You’re a special kind of person, never forget that.

With so much love,

Valen Trujillo

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Courtney Boyd and daughter Ruby in 2013.

Courtney Boyd and daughter Ruby in 2013.

cute

Cute picture or cutest ever? Discuss.

Courtney Boyd is the queen of feisty.

And sure, the onetime Coupeville High School basketball star may have mellowed a bit since giving birth to the most adorable baby in all creation, Ruby, but I have no doubt she can still reach down and find that fire.

As a fast-talking, gum-snapping child, Miss Boyd, who celebrates a birthday today, spent most of her time hanging out behind the counter at Videoville and Miriam’s Espresso.

She didn’t actually work there, but she still owned the place.

She and her traveling companion, Liz Tingstad, ate all the food, controlled what movies were being played on the in-store TV screens and stole my computer away from me every time they could.

Occasionally (say once or twice a year) they might deign to take out the garbage or go get the mail but only if they weren’t already busy harassing me.

Courtney was a pro, taking great delight in getting half the town to believe I was her father.

I retaliated by running out in front of the store whenever she walked by with a boy and screaming “Nun school! You’re going to nun school!!”

Then she would throw things at me.

Good times…

Courtney is now, and has always been, one of the sweetest, kindest young women to ever grace this planet. Just wrapped in a fiery shell.

Even as a young girl, she would help out her mom, Carrie, shepherding her younger brothers and sisters around town.

So, it’s no surprise that she has adapted so strongly to being a mom herself.

I expect as Ruby gets older, she’ll be a lot like her mom, and her grandma.

Feisty, independent, fiercely loyal and protective, sweet, caring women.

My 12 years behind the counter at Videoville will likely never be topped. It was my perfect job.

People came and went, employees, customers and hanger-ons. Some were memorable for good reasons, others for bad reasons.

Courtney will always hold a place in my heart, and I couldn’t be prouder of her and everything she has accomplished if I actually was related to her.

You are legendary, Miss Boyd. Never forget that.

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