BY DAN PEDERSEN

Contributing Writer

Mohamoud Abdel-Monem was looking for a challenge. So was Neal Clark.

On a sunny afternoon in Coupeville recently, the retired Washington State University dean of pharmacy and the self-confessed Internet techie both celebrated their new challenges, each starting an intriguing new chapter in their lives with 21 other whooping and hollering new friends from all over Whidbey Island.

“I was just looking online and found the Beach Watchers Website, www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu,” said Monem of Oak Harbor.

“I thought, even though this is far away from anything I’ve ever done in my life, this is challenging enough. This is something I could do. So I applied for Beach Watcher training and am very glad I did.”

Monem is now one of the leaders helping identify a signature project for this year’s graduating class and serving on a committee to plan next year’s training.

The organization’s Website made an impression on Clark as well.

The newcomer to Clinton saw a place to apply his Internet skills. He dove in to overhaul the Website with his wife and fellow classmate, Connie. Today, the Clarks are the site’s volunteer webmasters.

Not only are both men excited about the diverse projects into which they are pouring their talents and ideas, they are also thrilled with the new friends they have come to know as Beach Watchers.

“This is one of the very best parts — meeting people from all walks of life and all backgrounds,” Monem said.

A graduation ceremony was held on Oct. 30 for 23 members of the Class of 2007 who completed more than 100 hours of classroom training and field trips in everything from water quality to forestry to shoreline life. They now join hundreds of other Beach Watchers who give something back to the community every year, carrying out science and research and teaching others about the Island County environment.

The organization is the largest of several programs operated locally by WSU Extension. The WSU office now fields some

700 active duty volunteers — “more than 1 percent of the county population,” extension director Don Meehan said.

“Do you remember that contract you signed a while back?” Meehan asked the class.

“The one where you agreed to give 100 hours of service over the next two years? In reality you are part of the family now and it’s a lifetime contract. You lose your membership the day you die,” he said, only half joking.

“I don’t think it ends when you die,” countered Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard. “I’m almost certain there is a special place in heaven for Beach Watcher volunteers. You are one of my top favorite community groups,” pointing out the town of Coupeville is proud to partner with Beach Watchers on a number of projects.

County Commissioner Phil Bakke agreed.

“It’s because of your volunteerism and community outreach, and willingness to learn about the environment, that we have the kind of community in which we want to live. Island County is a gem,” he said. “It makes me so proud to live here and be your commissioner.”

Meehan pointed out to the graduates, “This is a hard-charging group. We’re not a bunch of lazy ponies in the pasture — this is a thoroughbred group.”

His advice: “Have fun. Boy, oh boy. There are so many things to do in this county and in the work we do. If you aren’t picking something that is fun for you, that would be a huge mistake. Do the fun things.”

Program coordinator Kristin Cooley said she felt honored to work with a class that brought together such diverse talent and experience.

“This is my dream job. I really feel I’m on an out-of-control train with bunches of horses running alongside and I’m just holding on for dear life,” Cooley said. “I just try to keep you guys going in the direction you’re going. You are an educated, passionate force in our community.”

The Class of 2007 is: June Davis, Anne Baum, Nancy Bartlett, Kathy Fritts of Freeland; Lee Chavez of Langley and Ann Koehler-Christensen, Connie Clark, Neal Clark of Clinton; Tom Albrecht, Sharon Dunn, Lisa Harkins, Peg Urstad of Greenbank; John Moon, Wendy Moon, Toni Piazzon, Rex Porter of Coupeville; Mahmoud Abdel-Monem, Barry Dunn, Missy Merickel, Judy Opheim, John Opheim, Jeannene Wisniewski, Steve Young of Oak Harbor.