At the end of each quarter, the Mid-county Memo marks the successes of area students and athletic teams. If we missed someone, let us know—e-mail editor@midcountymemo.com or call 503-287-8904. When you encounter young people in this community, know you are meeting some of Portland’s best and brightest.

ACADEMICS

Parkrose High seniors Karen To and Maria Than are winners of Lawrence University’s College Possible Scholars awards. This award meets 100 percent of demonstrated need except for one federally subsidized loan. Lawrence University is a liberal arts college in Appleton, Wisc. COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH

Parkrose High seniors Karen To and Maria Than are winners of Lawrence University’s College Possible Scholars awards. This award meets 100 percent of demonstrated need except for one federally subsidized loan. Lawrence University is a liberal arts college in Appleton, Wisc.
COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH

Mid-county student athletes excel in the classroom. The Oregon Schools Activities Association’s (OSAA) Academic All-Star program recognizes teams with a combined GPA of 3.0 or better. The boys and girls team in each OSAA‑sanctioned activity with the highest team grade point average earns the Academic All-State Award.

The David Douglas girls swim team had the highest team GPA among mid-county schools, posting a 3.77 combined GPA and placing sixth among 6A teams in the state.

Madison wrestlers landed in the top ten teams in the state with a 3.17 GPA.

These teams all had combined GPAs of 3.0 or better:

•Boys basketball—Portland Christian, 3.14; Madison, 3.08; Reynolds, 3.04

•Girls basketball—Portland Christian, 3.40; Reynolds, 3.19; Madison, 3.15; David Douglas, 3.08

•Boys swimming—Reynolds, 3.23; David Douglas, 3.08

•Girls swimming—Reynolds, 3.52

•Dance/Drill— Madison, 3.31; Reynolds, 3.08

•Cheerleading— Reynolds, 3.1

Gunnar Schlichting, a Parkrose senior, will attend Yale University in New Haven, Conn., this fall. COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH

Gunnar Schlichting, a Parkrose senior, will attend Yale University in New Haven, Conn., this fall. COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH

Students and teachers are working hard at Ron Russell Middle School in the David Douglas District. Forty-two students improved their GPA by 0.5 points from the first quarter to the second. These 42 hardworking students are the first recipients of Ron Russell Timberwolf SWAG (Students with Academic Growth) awards. In March, 36 students earned Student of the Month recognition for showing outstanding responsibility in their classes, and 50 students were named March Academic All-Stars for their strong commitment to their studies. The RRMS second-quarter honor roll boasts 280 names. Principal Andy Long credits his teachers and staff for “working so hard to motivate our students to learn, stretch themselves and do their best at school. I’m very proud of them.”

CHOIR

Parkrose High Choir Director Lesley Bossert with All-NW Honor Choir members, from left, Easton Fiser, Noelle Bell, Mahina Ajifu, Kai Fiser, Angelea Nguyen, Grace Trang and Kate Grobey celebrate performing with over 200 singers from six states under the direction of Anton Armstrong. COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH

Parkrose High Choir Director Lesley Bossert with All-NW Honor Choir members, from left, Easton Fiser, Noelle Bell, Mahina Ajifu, Kai Fiser, Angelea Nguyen, Grace Trang and Kate Grobey celebrate performing with over 200 singers from six states under the direction of Anton Armstrong.
COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH

CIVICS

PHS government students at the annual We the People Constitution competition. Top image, from left, Kylie Storm, Genevieve Church, Arthur Robinson, Ngan Nguyen, and Kai Fiser. Bottom image, from left, Nestor Perez, Revekka Shiryayeva, Taeya Hillman-Johnson, and Baine Dupee. COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH SCHOOL

PHS government students at the annual We the People Constitution competition. Top image, from left, Kylie Storm, Genevieve Church, Arthur Robinson, Ngan Nguyen, and Kai Fiser. Bottom image, from left, Nestor Perez, Revekka Shiryayeva, Taeya Hillman-Johnson, and Baine Dupee.
COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH SCHOOL

For the first time in 10 years, DDHS fielded a team at the regional Mock Trial competition held last month at the Clackamas County Courthouse. The Scots had a team thanks to the volunteer coaching of PSU grad student Joseph Cornett, who is a student teacher in the Secondary Dual Educator Program. Though the young team did not qualify for state, they are happy to be back in the Mock Trial competition.

DDHS Mock Trial team: back row, from left, Katie Lai, Dylan Waddell, Coach Joseph Cornett. Second row, from left, Alex Walker, Huong Nguyen, Summer Picard. Front row, from left, Trinity Morris, Annabelle Sukin, Sam Yosef. COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

DDHS Mock Trial team: back row, from left, Katie Lai, Dylan Waddell, Coach Joseph Cornett. Second row, from left, Alex Walker, Huong Nguyen, Summer Picard. Front row, from left, Trinity Morris, Annabelle Sukin, Sam Yosef.
COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

CREATIVE ARTS
Exciting things are happening in the arts department at Portland Christian. Students there won a combined total of 37 awards at the Portland Metro Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Portland Christian Portland Metro Scholastic Art and Writing gold key recipients accept their awards at a ceremony at the Portland Art Museum. They are, from left, Suzanne Hollingsworth, Allison Brist, Annie Bahr, Jimin Oh, Sarah Whitley (visual arts teacher), Anissa Chak, Lydia Mumford, Matthew Griffith and Katherine Fakashchuk. COURTESY BETH MUMFORD

Portland Christian Portland Metro Scholastic Art and Writing gold key recipients accept their awards at a ceremony at the Portland Art Museum. They are, from left, Suzanne Hollingsworth, Allison Brist, Annie Bahr, Jimin Oh, Sarah Whitley (visual arts teacher), Anissa Chak, Lydia Mumford, Matthew Griffith and Katherine Fakashchuk.
COURTESY BETH MUMFORD

Four student artists went on to national medals. Katherine Fakashchuk and Matthew Griffith won national gold medals, and Jimin Oh and Suzanne Hollingsworth won national silver medals. Their work was chosen from thousands of entries nationwide.

Jimin Oh, a senior and international student from South Korea in her fourth year at Portland Christian, has entered the Scholastic Art Awards all four years of her high school career, winning a total of 10 gold keys, five silver keys, and three honorable mentions.

When asked about her experience with the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, Jimin said, “It is an exciting feeling to get recognized from other people, and [it] gives me an idea of how I am doing and ways that I can improve my artwork. Seeing other students’ work gives me inspiration for my own art.”

Here is the full slate of winners:

Visual Arts

David Douglas High senior Patipon Ketmanee won a silver medal in drawing and illustration at the Portland Metro Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

David Douglas High senior Patipon Ketmanee won a silver medal in drawing and illustration at the Portland Metro Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.
COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Katherine Fakashchuk (grade 10)—national gold medal, gold key

Matthew Griffith (grade 8)—national gold medal, gold key, honorable mention

Jimin Oh (grade 12)—national silver medal, seven gold keys, four silver keys, honorable mention

Suzanne Hollingsworth (grade 12)—national silver medal, gold key

Jack Casey (grade 12)—two gold keys

Ying (Anissa) Chak (grade 11)—gold key

Alexandria Johannesen (grade 10)—gold key

Lydia Mumford (grade 11)—gold key, two silver keys

Annie Bahr (grade 9)—gold key, silver key, honorable mention

Allison Brist (grade 9)—gold key, two honorable mentions

Jesse Lortz (grade 10)—silver key

Skylar Scott (grade 10)—silver key

Rachel Grigorchuk (grade 9)—honorable mention

Giang Huynh (grade 10)—honorable mention

Aunnah Karavias (grade 9)—honorable mention

Yahan (Ashley) Xiong (grade 11)—honorable mention

Writing
Emma Zallee (grade 9)—gold key, silver key

Parkrose High School Advanced video students are finalists in the 2017 O[yes] “Speak up. Work safe.” statewide high school video contest for their work on “Rewind.” COURTESY CASEY GOODLETT

Parkrose High School Advanced video students are finalists in the 2017 O[yes] “Speak up. Work safe.” statewide high school video contest for their work on “Rewind.”
COURTESY CASEY GOODLETT

Parkrose High School Advanced video students are finalists in the 2017 O[yes] “Speak up. Work safe.” statewide high school video contest for their work on “Rapaccidents.” COURTESY CASEY GOODLETT

Parkrose High School Advanced video students are finalists in the 2017 O[yes] “Speak up. Work safe.” statewide high school video contest for their work on “Rapaccidents.”
COURTESY CASEY GOODLETT

Parkrose High School advanced video students are finalists in the 2017 Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition (O[yes]) “Speak up. Work safe.” statewide high school video contest. High school students across the state created videos that are full of drama, music, humor and engaging characters to bolster awareness about workplace safety. Each carried the central message of “Speak up. Work safe.” The O[yes] sponsors the annual video contest to engage teen workers, who are twice as likely to be injured on the job, according to federal studies.

“Rapaccidents Happen” was created and performed by Baine Dupee, Kai Fiser, Dianna Tupper, Gabriel Messing, Leif McDowell, Oren Chhea, Alex Cano, Josh Weir, Kendall Easton, Henry Nguyen, Sara Bulger, Thomas Poupore, Erich Dettmann, Hunter Fields, Vkicki Trinh, Peter Phan, Anthony Chao, Collin Pannell, Merari Chacon-Sanchez, Tori Wyatt, Sarah Wilson, Brianna Benjamin, Elizabeth Parker and JR Sanders.

“Rewind” was created and performed by Justin Arandia, Sophia Swim, Anna Kotris, Eli Brave Hawk, Elizabeth Simkovic, Juney Prasad, Hunter Osborn, Eddie Penalver, Rohan Ravi, Mason Swinehart, Edwin Melo-Molina, Hector Amezola, Jacob Mansfield, Julia Bardocz, Shastina Hardman, Evelyn Ortiz-Vargas, Denis Cehic, Emiliano Flores and Kim Townsend.

The top three entries will take home cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500 and will earn a matching amount for their school. Winners had not been announced at press time. Videos can be viewed at www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM75uPd4sBhxqPsb1WYCJ7ZzEJqQMFleG.

PHS theatre students at the Oregon Thespians Regional Acting Competition. COURTESY PARKROSE HIGHParkrose High art students showed their work at the annual Northwest Oregon Conference Art Festival and Competition last month. Fifteen of them earned awards. They are Annie Vong, first place, pen and ink; Elizabeth Simkovic, first place, abstract painting; Domiziano Cortese, first place, cartooning; Jordan Cody, second place, functional pottery; Yuri Catigbe, second place, drawing; Annie Ho, third place, abstract painting; Breanna Waters, third place, watercolor; Teresa Vu, third place, alternative drawing (scratchboard); Ryan Nguyen, third place, printmaking; and Nina Nguyen, third place, cartooning.

Bronco artists with awards earned at NWOC festival. COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH

Bronco artists with awards earned at NWOC festival.
COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH

Riley Golar and Taeya Hillman-Johnson received regional finalist ribbons for their duo dramatic experienced performance at the Oregon Thespians Regional Acting Competition. Hillman-Johnson also earned a ribbon in the solo experienced category.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Last month, Parkrose boys hoops made history capturing third place in the state tournament, the highest finish for the Broncos in more than 30 years. After the Broncos posted a conference record of 7-7 and limped into the playoffs as the 14 seed of 16 teams, they made their second trip in a row to the eight-team OSAA 5A championship tournament in Corvallis by winning two roads games.

Despite being double-and triple-teamed much of the season, senior point guard and team captain Isaac Bonton led Parkrose to a third-place finish in the state tournament last month, the Broncos’ highest finish since placing fourth in 1983. STAFF/2017

Despite being double-and triple-teamed much of the season, senior point guard and team captain Isaac Bonton led Parkrose to a third-place finish in the state tournament last month, the Broncos’ highest finish since placing fourth in 1983.
STAFF/2017

While playing without senior starters NaShawn Penney and Wilfried Likayi for most of the regular season—Penney returned to the squad for the last game of the regular season—the double overtime thriller against LaSalle the Broncos lost. Likayi, coming off a torn meniscus, was cleared to play a few games before the regular season ended, including against Milwaukie on Senior Night, and just in time for the tournament. “We were without two key players who we thought at the beginning of the year, we’d have all season, so we were up and down,” said Coach JC Alexander.  “People got minutes, people got to show what they could do, and everybody at some point in time in the season contributed to our success.”

In their first play-in game to earn a spot in the tournament, Parkrose traveled to Hermiston, beating the Bulldogs 65-50. That win sent them to Springfield. They took out the third-seeded Miller’s 64-67 to advance to the championship bracket in Gill Coliseum on the Oregon State University campus.

Because of injuries to key players, Parkrose’s seniors had to fill starting roles and help get the team to the playoffs. Senior Keandre Burton, foreground, was one of them. He fights for a rebound in the state playoffs vs. Crescent Valley. STAFF/2017

Because of injuries to key players, Parkrose’s seniors had to fill starting roles and help get the team to the playoffs. Senior Keandre Burton, foreground, was one of them. He fights for a rebound in the state playoffs vs. Crescent Valley.
STAFF/2017

The Broncos faced sixth-seeded Crescent Valley, dispatching them 73-59. Next up was eventual second-place finisher Churchill, out of Eugene. The Lancers dealt Parkrose an 83-66 defeat, setting up a matchup with conference rival La Salle Prep for third place. The Falcons had defeated the Broncos in two previous meetings, but with their full roster suited up, Parkrose won 76-69, claiming the third-place trophy.

Parkrose led the eight-team field in scoring offense averaging 71.7 points per game, free throw percentage (.800), steals (eight per game) and blocked shots (3.7 per game). The Broncos were second in rebounding average, with 35 boards per game, and third in assists, with 11 per game. Seniors Isaac Bonton and Wilfried Likayi were named second team all-state.

“He was nothing short of magical for us,” Alexander said of Bonton. “Between everything he did on the court, off the court. His leadership. He really took pride in the fact it was his senior year and he wanted to leave a legacy with Parkrose. Isaac and Thomas [Grant] spearheaded that and got everyone to buy in to leaving Parkrose their legacy.”

David Douglas High entered the OSAA 6A tournament seeded 14 in the 32-team field. The Scots beat South Eugene 71-64, but they were sent home by second-place Clackamas in the second round by a score of 78-63.

6A Madison High also made the field of the OSAA tournament, but they faced second-seeded and eventual third-place finisher West Linn in the first round, losing 98-45.

Columbia Christian High brought home the OSAA 2A fourth place trophy. The Knights defeated Union High out of eastern Oregon 60-37 to earn a trip to the eight-team championship bracket in Pendleton. They lost to Life Christian of Aloha 49-41 in the quarterfinals, but rebounded in the consolation bracket, beating Oakridge 65-45 and Vernonia 69-55 to earn fourth place. Senior Levi Dalzell earned second team all-state honors.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Trinity Tigers displaying back-to-back LEST and MCL championship trophy and medals. COURTESY TRINITY LUTHERANParkrose girls struggled through a difficult season, finishing 2-12 in league play, but Jewel Boland was named third team all-league and Ayriana McKinney and Karen Alejandra Gonzalez earned honorable mentions.

Portland Christian ended the regular season with a 10-6 league record. That earned them a spot in the OSAA 2A tournament, but the Lady Royals stumbled in the first round and were sent home by Coquille 72-50.

Likewise, City Christian earned a first-round OSAA 1A playoff berth on an 11-5 league record but lost to Western Mennonite 62-38 to end its season.

The Trinity Lutheran Christian School middle school girls basketball team are undefeated for the second year in a row, winning 23 games last year and 19 wins this season, earning the Tigers back-to-back titles in Lutheran Elementary School and Metro Christian League championships.

CHEERLEADING
David Douglas brought home the OSAA small co-ed second-place trophy. The Scots varsity and junior varsity squads each won their division at the Oregon Cheerleading Coaches Association championships.

Parkrose earned the OCCA third-place trophy in the varsity 5A all-girl division.

DANCE/DRILL
Parkrose Elite Dance Team placed fifth in the show division of the OSAA championships at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Ashley Cha and Sophia Nguyen were named to the all-state team. Nguyen also earned sixth place in the drill down competition.

Bronco relay swimmers with NWOC second-place ribbons. COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH SCHOOL

Bronco relay swimmers with NWOC second-place ribbons.
COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH SCHOOL

SWIMMING
The Parkrose boys 200-yard medley relay team, comprised of Zach Tudor, Gunnar Schlichting, Joe Lundberg and Ben McKee, swam to a second-place finish at the NWOC district meet.