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Student honored for work to improve school climate

Jostens names Washougal High senior Riley Vaughan ‘national student of the month’

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During the 2024 Jostens Renaissance Global Conference (JRGC), held last July in Orlando, Florida, Washougal High School senior Riley Vaughan was struck by the keynote address, which she said made her realize how important it is to be authentic in her altruistic endeavors.

“He was talking about having a ‘why’ when it comes to being a leader and working in leadership,” Vaughan said of the keynote speaker. “He said that if you’re constantly doing it just for the praise and validation of others, you’re not going to be able to recover when things don’t go your way, so you have to find a ‘why’ that matters more than just yourself. It kind of made me realize that with all the effort that I’ve put into (my leadership) class over the past years, I genuinely care about making my school better and my community better, and seeing my peers grow and myself grow. My ‘why’ is deeper than just succeeding at something.”

Vaughan’s efforts have been recognized by Jostens Renaissance Education, which selected the Washougal High senior as its National Renaissance Student of the Month for January 2025.

“It’s just really cool because I was not expecting (it),” Vaughan said. “It made me really happy. Honestly, it’s nice to know that all the work that I’ve put in these last four years of high school is recognized. I’ve never been one to really look for recognition and validation from others for all the work that I’m doing, and to get a national award, and to know that all of the blood, sweat and tears that I have been putting into my leadership class have paid off, it’s really refreshing.”

Washougal High American Sign Language teacher Tami Grant nominated Vaughan for the award.

“Riley screams gratitude in all she does,” Grant stated in the nomination letter. “When she leads and is complimented on how well an event or project goes, she will quickly add, ‘Thank you, our team put in a lot of work.’ She genuinely seeks to make sure everyone is recognized and knows they are appreciated. She seeks out relationships … (and) often tells me how thankful she is for things like her ASB class, her family, going to JRGC, the people who support her. It’s not just a ‘line’ with her; it’s a way of life. She seeks to find the things in life that make her feel loved and supported, and then she seeks to offer the same to others. She is not just grateful in words, but grateful in action.”

Kyla Ritchey, Washougal High’s Associated Student Body (ASB) teacher, said Vaughan “is a hardworking student who consistently goes above and beyond expectations” and “believes in doing what is best for everyone.”

“She is deeply passionate about her work and strives to create opportunities for others to learn and grow,” Ritchey said of Vaughan. “Through the Jostens Renaissance program, our leadership students have learned the importance of gratitude, appreciation and recognition. Riley not only embodies these values, but also takes the initiative to teach and inspire her peers to embrace them as well. For Riley, the honor isn’t just about the title, though she values it. It’s about the meaningful experiences she gains, the lessons she learns and the relationships she builds along the way.”

Jostens Renaissance Education, a platform of Jostens, a Minnesota-based school memorabilia manufacturer, recognizes schools that positively impact school culture and climate.

Vaughan and three other Washougal High leadership students received the Jostens Gold Tier School of Distinction Award, which celebrates schools that excel in fostering a supportive and engaging school environment, during the 2024 JRGC.

“It was really great to grow closer with the group that I went with, because most of us were the main officers that would be leading the class this year, so it was good to all get on the same page,” Vaughan said. “Every day we went to different breakout rooms, and there were different meetings, and we got to see what other schools did to build their climate and culture. We (brought ideas) back with us and had an amped-up start to the school year, so that was nice.”

At the start of the 2024-25 school year, the leadership students decided to implement three new programs to help improve Washougal High’s social environment — the Shoug Squad, a student group that supports peers during athletic events, plays, concerts and other extracurricular activities; recognition efforts, such as cards, chalk messages and warm drinks, for students and staff members; and a school rebranding effort that will include the creation of a modernized Panthers logo.

“I definitely think that I’ve seen a rise in staff morale and more students being friendlier towards others,” Vaughan said. “We’ve definitely put a big emphasis on recognizing others and having lots of teacher recognition and lots of student recognition. And I think it is starting to pay off. … I think for me, at least, it really does come down to the personal connections that people are willing to make, and the ability to be more social and more outside of your comfort zone, talking to people you don’t normally talk to, and building relationships with new people and expanding your friend group. It creates more overall connectedness between people.”

The school’s climate and culture have been questioned by students and staff members in recent years. Charlotte Lartey, a former Washougal High science and health teacher, told The Post-Record in the 2020, that she frequently heard students use racial slurs. In the fall of 2022, the Washougal School District conducted an investigation into an allegation that a student attended a volleyball match in “blackface,” several days after three Washougal High students told Washougal School Board members that frequent bullying and other inappropriate behavior by some of their peers had led to a “very high stress level” among students.

“I think (the climate and culture) definitely does go back and forth, up and down,” Vaughan said. “But one thing that I’ve recognized this year is that even when it gets lower in terms of morale and the way that people are treating each other, we have really been pushing to just keep moving and trying to improve the climate and culture of our school. There’s a lot of ambition within a lot of students and teachers and our principal, and we’re all trying. Even during the slow times, we’re still trying to keep the wheels turning, and hopefully we can get to a point where it just overall stays higher rather than lower.”

Ritchey said that Vaughan possesses many qualities that have directly contributed to the success of the school’s leadership team.

‘It’s rare to see someone her age consistently hold both herself and others accountable, but Riley excels in this area,” Ritchey said. “I’ve witnessed her navigate difficult situations, including resolving conflicts with close friends. She has a unique ability to call people out when they’re not making the best choices — while still showing them love and respect. Once the issue is resolved, she moves forward without holding it against them, which is a testament to her maturity and emotional intelligence.”

Ritchey added that they also appreciate Vaughan’s ability to continue learning and growing.

“Even when she doesn’t initially agree with my decisions or those of others, she is always open to sitting down, engaging in meaningful conversations, and understanding the reasoning behind those decisions,” Ritchey said.

Vaughan is the vice president of the school’s ASB, which will host a Washougal High School recognition event in mid-February.

“(We’re calling it a) ‘renaissance rally,’” Vaughan said. “Our goal is to recognize students for things like improved GPAs, improved attendance or being a part of a specific club or a specific event.”

Vaughan, a member of the school’s ASL and National Honor Society clubs, girls basketball team, and girls tennis team, has applied to several universities on the West Coast and plans to study math and education at college. She hopes to someday become an educator.

“When I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher so badly, but as I got to the middle of high school, I drifted from it because I was like, ‘Kids are just crazy,’” Vaughan said. “But then, as I started to think about college more, and then after I went to the (JRGC) this summer, I realized how much of an impact a teacher can have on a kid’s life.”