School notes for June 16, 2015

Local student honored

Thomas Matthews, a Camas High School senior, was among 68 students honored with $85,000 in Comcast Leaders and Achievers scholarships on Saturday, May 30 at the Portland World Trade Center. Two hundred guests attended including keynote speaker Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum.

Each student received a $1,000 scholarship for higher education.

Rosenblum noted, “They are the best of the best of Oregon and Southwest Washington and will do well to represent our region when they head off to school in the fall.”

Locals named to dean’s list

Annika Claudine Bales, Jordan Mikayla Lindstrom and David A. Woodson of Camas have been named to the Gonzaga University Dean’s List for spring semester.

Students must earn a 3.5 to 3.69 GPA to be named to the list.

Mount Pleasant to participate in nPower Girls

The Mount Pleasant School District is one of eight school districts partnering with ESD 112 to participate in a 3-year professional development program, nPower Girls. It is designed for fourth- through eighth-grade math and science teachers.

Teachers will be exploring community-based STEM businesses and meet with women working in these positions.

In addition to cultivating girls’ interest in STEM subjects and careers, this will help increase student achievement in math and science by connecting it to “real world experiences,” for all students, according to a press release.

“We are excited for the opportunity to participate in the nPower Girls grant and the opportunity it affords our students,” said teacher Carol Dinnel. “This grant fits into our school’s long term goal of becoming a more STEM focused school.”

CW Rotary awards scholarships

The Camas-Washougal Rotary Club awarded $9,000 in college scholarships to 10 Washougal and Camas high school students at the club’s annual scholarship breakfast on Thursday, June 4.

Four seniors from Camas and four from Washougal were each awarded $1,000 towards tuition at the college of their choice.

Seniors selected from Washougal High School were Madeline Gregory, Adam Krout, Karina Miller and Paige Moore. Scholarships to Camas High School students went to Rachel Joe, Caroline Kealoha, Brittany Scott and Josh Stoller.

In addition, two sophomores were selected to receive $500 upon graduation to help fund studies at the college of their choice. This year the grants were awarded to Abigail Young from WHS and Joseph Marugg from CHS. These students were selected out of a field of sophomores from Camas and Washougal who have been recognized every month as Camas-Washougal Rotary’s student of the month.

Since it was founded in the mid-90s, the Camas-Washougal Rotary Club has awarded scholarships to students living in the attendance area of Camas and Washougal High Schools. This local scholarship program is designed to recognize high school students who have demonstrated a commitment to improve their community through service and to encourage them to further their education, according to a press release.

Scholarship funds are generated through Ducky Derby, a unique rubber duck race on the Washougal River. This event occurs on the fourth Sunday in July as a part of the Camas Days celebration.

Locals graduate from Gonzaga University

Oliva Schuele of Camas and Patrick McCarthy of Washougal earned degrees from Gonzaga University.

Commencement ceremonies were held Sunday, May 11.

Schuele earned a Bachelor of Science in biology with a minor in German.

McCarthy earned a B.S. in electrical engineering and a minor in math. He graduated cum laude.