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Life

June 21, 2011
Students raise their hands in victory after completing the blackberry bush removal project at Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Sixth-graders from Jemtegaard and Canyon Creek middle schools spent two days last week learning about the Columbia River Gorge and surrounding area.

Empowering observation

Four years ago, the need for an outdoor school replacement activity resulted in an unusual partnership. The Washougal School District approached the Friends of the Columbia Gorge, a non-profit preservation group, about working with local sixth-graders who had outdoor school cut as a part of budget constraints. "Both sides felt this was a missing piece," said Maegan Jossy, outdoor program coordinator. After a private donation enabled the program to move forward, the goal has been to have students experience the Columbia Gorge in a new way, while aligned with state learning standards.

June 14, 2011
Brendan Casey (left) and Zac Schepp pose for a photo while waiting for festivities to begin.

WHS Panthers are encouraged to persevere

With 180 graduates, approximately $700,000 in scholarships and a few technical glitches, the Washougal High School class of 2011 proudly ended its high school career Saturday night at Fishback Stadium. The sun shone brightly as valedictorian Darcy Akers encouraged her classmates to look toward the future. "I don't know what the future holds, but I hope you are all looking forward to the possibilities," she said. "Most of all, thanks to the friends. Best friends are hard to find, harder to leave and even harder to forget. Thanks for being there, whether we're flying or falling."

June 14, 2011
After CHS graduates moved the tassels on their caps from right to left, each student donned a pair of sunglasses and danced to "Forever," by Chris Brown. At the song's conclusion, many of the graduates threw their caps into the air at Doc Harris Stadium.

CHS seniors exhibit their ‘Papermaker Pride’

Smiles could be seen throughout Doc Harris Stadium Friday night, as the first Camas High School class to attend a graduation ceremony in the rebuilt structure were there to enjoy themselves. During the processional, bubbles started to fill the air as the CHS band performed "Pomp and Circumstance." Principal Steve Marshall set the tone for the event early on, saying it could be a "dignified ceremony and a celebration." He then requested they save the air horns for later.

June 14, 2011
Hayes Freedom graduates Corina Morgan, Andrew Jacobson, Tanner Wehring, Franciso Ponce and Samantha Thomas (left to right) celebrate following the presentation of the diplomas on Saturday.

Having the determination to succeed

If there was one theme that was weaved throughout the Hayes Freedom High School and Excelsior High School graduations this past week, it was that with the right guidance, determination to succeed, and a few strategically timed pushes along the way, goals that once didn't seem possible can be achieved. Hayes and Excelsior, the alternative high schools in the Camas and Washougal school districts, respectively, held commencement ceremonies that included tears, laughter and memories proud and challenging moments.

June 7, 2011
Choir members show off their first-place trophy from a recent festival. The group beat out several middle school choirs for the win.

Hitting the right notes

In some ways, the story of the Grass Valley Elementary School Vocal Jazz choir is the classic underdog tale. At the beginning of the year, nothing seemed to come together. The notes were flat. The students couldn't figure out what teacher Natalie Wilson wanted them to do. They lacked experience and stage presence. Fast forward eight months: The elementary school choir won the Northwest Vocal Jazz Festival middle school level competition, with high praise from the judges.

May 31, 2011
Members of the Camas High School girls' basketball team supplied pink boas for women who successfully made "baskets" into a trash container.

Painting the town Pink

Women of all ages had a good time for a good cause Thursday night. Mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and granddaughters attended the second annual "Girls Night Out," in downtown Camas. With the theme, "Now is the New Later," the event was billed as an evening of celebration in support of women and local cancer charities. For a donation of $15 per person, participants were treated to complimentary cupcakes and pink drinks, beauty treatments and neck massages, as well as health tips and resources, art activities and shopping and dining promotions.

May 24, 2011
Professional organizer Krista Colvin (right) helps Jamie Twyman organize a room so she can offer in-home massage therapy. Colvin said that when people are organized, they feel more in control of their lives because their "stuff" isn't controlling them.

A place for everything

In an ideal world, we would all come home to cleaned and organized spaces, without huge mail piles stacked up and threatening to take over the dining room table. But sadly, in the real world, most people are busy with work, activities and life in general, and so the mail stacks up, the rooms remain cluttered, and those "to-do" projects never get done. This is where Krista Colvin comes in to help.

May 17, 2011
Camas High School Principal Steve Marshall's favorite aspect of the new construction is the expanded commons, which will add more than 6,000 feet of space to the school. Inset, Heidi Rosenberg, Camas School District capital programs manager, and Doug Zimmerman of Corp. Inc look over progress of the library addition.

Building the future

When complete, the expansion at Camas High School will allow for a more streamlined campus and room for future growth. But getting there has been a bit tricky, as much of the work has been occurring during school hours. "I'm very excited about having a larger campus and the construction being finished," Principal Steve Marshall said. Heidi Rosenberg, district capital programs manager, said the contractor, Corp. Inc. has tried to work around issues such as state testing and traffic flow in and out of the school.

May 10, 2011
Attendees practice shooting the ball during a Soccer Stars of Tomorrow camp last summer.

Delving into summer fun

Summer. It's a time for kids to kick back, relax and enjoy themselves. There are several camps in Clark County and across the state that help to meet this important need to have fun. Camp features range from learning how to improve sports skills to taking on the adventures of overnight camping. Best of all, there are camps and activities for all ages, stages and price ranges. The list in the print edition of the Post-Record has information on several camps and activities in the local area and beyond for the future basketball player, soccer star, scientist or adventure camper. Best of all, some of these are low-cost or even free.

May 3, 2011
The Inexplicibly Omniscient Inspector (James Maguire) and Respected General (Anthony Gonzalez) discuss motives during a rehearsal of "Murder in the Knife Room," at Washougal High School.

A modern day, ‘Who done it?’

A Washed-Up Actress. The Plastic Politician. Boy-Band Reject. With names like these, the upcoming play at Washougal High School is sure to bring some laughs. And that's why it was chosen, drama director Kelly Gregersen. "This is a spoof on the classic murder mystery," he said. "We've never done this before and it's always nice to end the year on a lighter note. It's pretty goofy and silly."