Rotary Scholar of the Month for October: Erin Locke

Erin Locke was selected as the Camas Washougal Rotary Scholar of the Month for October 2011.  Erin is a sophomore at Washougal High School and has a 3.892 GPA.  Erin’s Spanish teacher, Brian Eggleston says she “is a student with extraordinary talent in language learning” and adds that she has “a very positive attitude and an eagerness to take part in whatever we do in class.”  Biology teacher Pauline Rule says “Erin is outgoing, a hard worker, and a team player.”  She is described by Band teacher Kelly Ritter as “an overall fantastic kid” and a “great musician, hard worker, and active in all the arts.”  Erin is the daughter of Melvin and Cheryl Locke.   

Congratulations Erin Locke!

Cape Horn-Skye Families Raise Funds for Veterans

Families at Cape Horn-Skye raised $1,148.67 for American Legion Post #122.  The American Legion will use the money to purchase turkeys, potatoes and other staples for area families at Christmas. DeeAnn Ferguson (Far left) and Cape Horn-Skye Principal Mary Lou Woody (4th from left) presented the check to the American Legion members at the school's Veterans Day assembly on November 10, 2011.

Artwork from Excelsior High School Featured at Los Dos Restaurant

Masks and poetry created by Excelsior High School students is being featured at Los Dos Mexican Restaurant at 701 E St in Washougal.  Students from EHS teacher Ali Miller's classroom created plaster masks as part of a creative writing assignment.  The students designed and painted the masks, and then wrote poetry to help interpret or explain their choice in the design.

Show are masks created by students Emily Quist, Tristan Collins, Travis Hibbs, Carl Niskanen and Jon Colligan.

WHS Choir and Band Students Selected for WMEA All-State Performance Groups

Outstanding music students from across Washington have received top honors by being selected to participate in one of our 2012 WMEA All-State performing groups. The following WHS students auditioned and were selected for these Honor groups in Feb. 2012:

Crystal Saltmarsh, junior, for Percussion All-State Wind Ensemble
Luke Block, senior, for All-State Symphonic Choir
Cortney Gonzalez, senior, for All-State Symphonic Choir
Austin Smith-Brown, sophomore, for All-State Symphonic Choir
T Walker Anderson, sophomore, for All-State Symphonic Choir

Congratulations WHS Panthers!

Guys and Dolls Play at WHS Performing Arts Center Nov 10-12, 18-19, 2011

Make plans to join over 50 of Washougal High School’s talented students and enjoy Guys and Dolls! Frank Loesser’s m1950 Masterpiece was recently voted the most popular American musical of the 20th Century – and with good reason.  The story of gamblers, showgirls, and mission workers in 1950 New York has produced so many memorable songs such as “Luck Be a Lady Tonight,” “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat,” and “If I Were a Bell,” along with many others.  The play runs November 10-12 and 18-19 at 7:00 and also at 1:00 on the 19th.  Tickets are still only $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors and are available at the door.  We hope to see you there!

Veterans Day Assemblies Honor Veterans

Washougal School District Students learned about Veterans Day and honored those who have served our country during assemblies on November 10th.  At Hathaway Elementary, members of Ms. Hayes' class shared essays they wrote celebrating Veterans Day during their assembly.  Fourth grader Scott Lees wrote a piece titled "Americans are Free" and Fifth grader Bayli Gale wrote on the topic "What is an American."  Here are their essays:
 
What is an American?
by Bayli Gale

    An American is a person who acts upon their freedom to work hard and support all beliefs.  All Americans are available to freedom of religion, which is part of the first Amendment of our Constitutional Rights.  What is religion?  Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose when considered as the creation of superhuman.  Our freedom to worship as we please allows an individual to choose a lifestyle that will determine values, beliefs, and ways of life.  American families can have the right to choose what is best, and it is a privilege to have this freedom.
   
    Americans pay taxes because, if you did not know, it goes to our economy wealth.  Donate and share because it could be pointed to a good cause.  Being in a Democracy, we vote pretty often on how many taxes we pay and what the different taxes are used for.

    What are democrats and republicans?  They are two different parties that believe our country should be run differently from one another.  A great democrat or republican is a person who does what is best for our country and not best for just that party.  “This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.” – Theodore Roosevelt.



Americans are Free
by Scott Lees

    I think that Americans are free because we all have differences.  We all are both boys and girls with different skin colors.  If your skin color is black or white, you should still be treated the same way that everyone else is being treated.  You should because everyone has feelings.  Both boys and girls can be in the same classroom even if your skin is brown or white or whatever.

    Americans are also free because if you are eighteen or older you can vote for who you want to be the president of the United States.  I think that is a great rule because kids don’t really know what they are voting for.  This candidate we hope will serve our country and keep us safe.  The president gives us a lot of big speeches on how to make our country safer and nicer.

    Americans are free because we can live in whatever city or state we choose.  We can have as many people like grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and neighbors visiting our house when we want.  You can travel all over the country with your families, go to the fair, to the beach, or to visit other relatives.  It is amazing that we can do that stuff.  No matter what, Americans will be free forever.  Never will Americans not be free.

Festival of Trees Dec 9, 2011

Friday, December 9, from 3-6 PM, the Washougal community is invited to view and bid on decorated trees, wreathes and baskets, with all proceeds going to the Washougal Schools.  Local community businesses, non-profit groups, and school staff people have donated the trees and the decorations.  The Festival of Trees raised $2,500 for Washougal Schools last year, and we hope to double that amount this year.  The decorated trees will be in Washougal Town Square, on the corner of Main Street and Love Street, across from the Hearth Restaurant. �

There will be music and refreshments prior to the annual tree lighting ceremony.  Final bids will be taken on Saturday December 10th from 4-4:30 PM, with more entertainment and a visit from Santa Claus!  If you have questions, please contact Chuck Carpenter at 360-335-1947.