Each day members of our community quietly celebrate milestones, achievements and accomplishments—big and small. This department highlights these triumphs for the community, and it’s free.
Send a submission, include all details that apply: individuals’ names, details of the milestone and a contact name and phone number. If you have photos, send them. The submission deadline for November’s issue is Thursday, Oct. 15. For best results, email editor@midcountymemo.com or mail submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR 97230. Call 503-287-8904.
Leadership conference results are in
Parkrose students pose for a photo at the Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference in Chicago in June. In the front row, from left, are Elizabeth Rivas, Monica Chao, Shelby Martin, Ngan Nguyen. In the back row, from left, are Jada Krening, Dylan Truong, Courtney Marlatt, Lilia Bechtel, Brandon Treadway.
COURTESY MIKE VERHULST
This summer, Parkrose Future Business Leaders of America sent nine talented students to Chicago for the FBLA National Leadership Conference. After placing in the top three at the state competition, these outstanding business students competed against the top five percent of all FBLA members in the U.S. For the second time in three years, Parkrose FBLA had a team advance to the final round of competition.
Along with competing at the national conference, students enjoyed sightseeing around the Chicago area. FBLA members had an opportunity to see Navy Pier, Cloud Gate (the “silver bean”), and the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower, and they spent a day at Six Flags Great America as well. “Our students were amazing ambassadors for Parkrose High School and the Parkrose School District,” said FBLA Advisor Mike Verhulst.
National preliminary round competitors:
Brandon Treadway, Business Plan
Jada Krening, Digital Design & Promotion
Shelby Martin, Digital Design & Promotion
Ngan Nguyen, Website Design
Dylan Truong, Website Design
Lilia Bechtel, Website Design
National final round competitors:
Monica Chao, 3-D Animation
Elizabeth Rivas, 3-D Animation
Courtney Marlatt, 3-D Animation
Musical gifts made to middle school
StubHub presented Ron Russell Middle School students and faculty with a $35,000 donation of musical instruments last month.
COURTESY JACKIE BUTLER/GETTY IMAGES for STUBHUB
What makes an assembly full of middle school students raise the roof with cheers and excitement: winning sports teams, awards for achievements? Maybe.
However, on September 17, almost 900 students at Ron A. Russell Middle School cheered heartily and loudly when the school received an unexpected and wonderful gift. The school’s band director, Tawnya Garcia, Tammy Culp and others have done it again. They heard about a program offered by StubHub, a huge concert and event ticketing corporation, and quickly took advantage of it. StubHub, the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and local Portland band Portugal. The Man delivered $35,000 dollars worth of brand new instruments to be used in Russell music programs.
Instruments included trumpets, violins, basses, French horns and others. The gift was revealed when StubHub representative Jessica Erskine pulled aside several sheets, and there they were: shiny, new musical instruments. After the first excitement calmed, students were rewarded with a three-song performance by Portugal. The Man. Members of the group told students they had all started their musical careers in public school music programs.
In an era when so many school music programs have disappeared, this gift of musical opportunities for Russell’s students is a strong statement of support for the importance of music instruction in our public schools.
Car buffs show off vintage vehicles in support of PHS athletics
Parkrose High alumnus Gary Knudson (1986) and his 1957 Chevy Coupe took home the Alumni’s Choice trophy at the inaugural Parkrose Athletic Programs Benefit Car Show last month. Tammy Ross (PHS, 1984) turns over the trophy on behalf of the Parkrose Educational Foundation.
COURTESY PDX CAR CULTURE
The first fundraiser of the school year in support of Parkrose High athletics was held on Labor Day. Nearly 60 vintage and classic cars filled the PHS parking lot for the inaugural Parkrose Athletic Programs Benefit Car Show.
Despite unpredictable weather and a reschedule, organizers Ted and Kim Finlay, along with PDX Car Culture and other community sponsors, created an event that brought in nearly $1100 in support of PHS athletics. The Parkrose Educational Foundation was also in attendance for this first ever event. PEF Alumni Liaison Tammy Ross (PHS, 1984) was on hand to award the Alumni’s Choice trophy to Gary Knudson (PHS, 1986) for his orange 1957 Chevy Coupe.
Word is this event will return next year, giving all Parkrose alumni time to buff up that classic ride and enter the 2016 car show.
Scots calligraphers
Six David Douglas High School students entered work in the 2015 Oregon Art Annual Art Show at the Oregon State Fair this summer. Ribbons and art supplies were awarded. Dana Leung received a second place award for her work. Third-place winner was Faith Oviatt. Honorable mentions were given to Dina Hubenya, Queenaly Tran, Mariel Villareal and Leianda Jemenez.
Golfers drive for homeless
Homeless and low-income families in the Portland area are one step closer to self-reliance, thanks to the Dennis’ 7 Dees annual Charity Golf Tournament benefiting Human Solutions held Thursday, Sept. 17 at Langdon Farms. The goal was to raise more than $100,000, and that was easily surpassed, with proceeds totaling $107,661. This brings the six-year total to $400,000 since its inception in 2010.
What was once a small vendor and employee golf outing sponsored by the owners of Dennis’ 7 Dees Landscaping and Garden Centers has now evolved into a significant fundraiser that benefits homeless families in east Portland and east Multnomah County through Human Solutions’ programs and services.
Dean Snodgrass (left) of Dennis’ 7 Dees Landscaping and Garden Centers presented Human Solutions Executive Director Jean DeMaster with proceeds from its annual golf tournament along with David Snodgrass, Terry Ciecko and Dani Powell.
COURTESY KELLEY KENYON
“On behalf of all of us at Dennis’ 7 Dees, we are pleased to continue to help Human Solutions carry out their vital mission in the community of serving hundreds of homeless children and their families. We are very grateful for our suppliers, clients, friends and employees who help make this event possible,” said Dave Snodgrass, president of Dennis’ 7 Dees. Proceeds from this tournament specifically assist Human Solutions operate their Emergency Family Shelter and other services for homeless parents and children. On Nov. 1 when the shelter opens, there will be 100 beds ready for families in need. Beginning this year the shelter will remain open year-round, so there will be help anytime during the year.
“Human Solutions is extremely fortunate to work with the Dennis’ 7 Dees family and friends and are very appreciative of their continued support,” said Jean DeMaster, executive director of Human Solutions “We know that those in our community who are homeless, especially those with children, don’t want to be homeless. The proceeds from this event allow us to provide this emergency shelter for them. It also enables us to help these families stay together while they learn important skills and get the help they need to get back on their feet.”
New Highlander editorial staff
The Highlander, David Douglas High School’s award-winning student newspaper, has announced its 2015–16 editorial staff.
News editors are Aline Alvarez, Chi Li, Angela Nguyen and Marina Vercherking. Heading the Opinions page are Sarah Bradbury, Ritska Gurley, Anca Malica and Belle Smith.
Features editors are Toni Cherry and Kathryn Tucker, and sports editors are Isaiah Mortensen and David Veenstra.
The DDHS Advanced Journalism class, under the guidance of their advisor, Steve Rivas, publishes the Highlander. The first 2015 edition had not come out when Mid-county Memo went to press, but we look forward to this always excellent and interesting student publication.
Pat MacAodha contributed to this month’s Memo Pad.
