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.

Annika Rose Bell, who attended Parkrose elementary schools and middle school, plans to study opera at Oberlin College in Ohio. COURTESY WAYNE BUND

Annika Rose Bell, who attended Parkrose elementary schools and middle school, plans to study opera at Oberlin College in Ohio.
COURTESY WAYNE BUND

Opera student heads to Oberlin
Annika Rose Bell, who lives in Argay Terrace will attend Oberlin College and Conservatory in Oberlin, Ohio, in pursuit of a bachelor of music in vocal performance focusing on opera. She has earned scholarships and a gift from The William E. Schmidt Foundation that will cover her tuition, room and board. Annika recently completed her senior year of high school in a Mt. Hood Community College program while taking the full freshman music theory sequence.

She will spend a portion of the summer in Arezzo, Tuscany, as part of the Oberlin in Italy program studying Italian and opera.

Annika attended Shaver Elementary, Russell Academy and Parkrose Middle schools.

Matthew Griffith and Katherine Fakashchuck display gold medals won at the 2017 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York. COURTESY SARAH WHITLEY

Matthew Griffith and Katherine Fakashchuck display gold medals won at the 2017 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York.
COURTESY SARAH WHITLEY

Art
Portland Christian art students Matthew Griffith and Katherine Fakashchuk traveled to New York to receive 2017 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards gold medals. Their works have become part of the Art. Write. Now. National Tour that will travel the country after stops at Pratt Institute’s Pratt Manhattan Gallery and Parsons School of Design at The New School.

Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer awards DDHS senior Patipon Ketmanee first place in the Congressional art competition. The piece will be displayed in Blumenauer’s office for the next year. COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer awards DDHS senior Patipon Ketmanee first place in the Congressional art competition. The piece will be displayed in Blumenauer’s office for the next year.
COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

David Douglas High School senior Patipon Ketmanee has won the Oregon Third Congressional District art competition. Patipon was honored at Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s Public Forum on the Arts in front of a large crowd that included local dignitaries. His work will be framed and hung in the congressman’s Washington, D.C., office for one year.

Sophomore Ester Petukhova earned second place.

Film and video

From left to right: Denis Cehic, Elizabeth Simkovic, Mason Swinehart and Hunter Osborn. Not pictured but also finalists in International Silent Film Festival are Justin Arandia, Anna Kotris, Eli Brave Hawk and Shastina Hardman. COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH SCHOOL

From left to right: Denis Cehic, Elizabeth Simkovic, Mason Swinehart and Hunter Osborn. Not pictured but also finalists in International Silent Film Festival are Justin Arandia, Anna Kotris, Eli Brave Hawk and Shastina Hardman.
COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH SCHOOL

Two teams of video students at Parkrose High were named International Youth Silent Film Festival—Pacific Northwest Regional competition finalists. Screenings were held at the Hollywood Theatre.

Shastina Hardman wrote “Divided.” Justin Arandia directed, acted and edited the film. Eli Brave Hawk and Anna Kotris rounded out the team.

“Who Am I” was written, directed and edited by Elizabeth Simkovic. Denis Cehic and Mason Swinehart acted, and Hunter Osborn operated the camera.

Academics
OSAA Academic All-Stars
The Carl’s Jr. Scholastic Star Program recognizes outstanding achievement in the classroom. Members of the top ten schools with the highest GPAs in each activity are recognized with a commemorative magnet.

Madison High had three teams place in the top ten schools with their GPAs for these sports:
Girls Track and Field, second place, 3.70
Boys Tennis, fourth place, 3.76
Girls Golf, seventh place, 3.68

Other Madison activities that earned 3.0 GPAs
Softball, 3.45
Boys Track and Field, 3.37
Girls Tennis, 3.63
Boys Golf, 3.19
Band, 3.24
Choir, 3.20

Parkrose High also saw three groups place in the top ten with their GPAs:
Choir, second place, 3.54
Softball, fifth place, 3.70
Band, fifth place, 3.55

Other Parkrose teams earning a GPA of 3.0 or higher are:
Girls Tennis, 3.63
Girls Golf, 3.54

Columbia Christian had three top-ten finishers as well:
Boys Track and Field, first place, 3.40
Girls Track and Field, third place, 3.64
Boys Golf, third place, 3.48

City Christian Track and Field athletes also placed in the top ten schools:
Boys Track and Field, 3.08
Girls Track and Field, 3.17

David Douglas High class of 2017 valedictorians are Yi-Chun Chen, Tina Ng, Christina Rusu and Megan Shaw.

Salutatorians are Nastia Pukay and Jiaxin Zhang.

MAC Scholar Athletes
Three Mid-county students have been named MAC Scholar Athletes. They are Miriam Rozendal, David Douglas (DDHS); Lily Rupp, Madison; and Kae Delgado, Parkrose.

Rozendal has earned varsity letters in cross-country and track and field at DDHS and was named first team all-league in cross-country.

Rupp played varsity basketball, soccer and track and field for the Senators. She was named track and field thrower of the year and was team captain for both basketball and track and field.

Delgado received the Bronco multi-sport athlete award for her participation in basketball, track and field and volleyball. She was the captain of the volleyball team.

The MAC Scholar Athlete Program, funded by the Multnomah Athletic Foundation, provides scholarships to area high school sophomores based on athletic and academic accomplishments. The award provides a scholarship to the post-secondary institution of the student’s choice. The institution can be a vocational school, a two-year school or a four-year school. The award can be used any time within a six-year period after graduating from high school.

Athletic honors

Fernanda Rodriquez is the David Douglas High female athlete of the year and the 2017 Loprinzi Scholarship winner. COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Fernanda Rodriquez is the David Douglas High female athlete of the year and the 2017 Loprinzi Scholarship winner.
COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Scots female athlete of the year is Fernanda Rodriquez, a four-year letterman in swimming. Her freshman year she was first team all-conference in the 200 medley relay and the 200 free relay. She qualified for state in the 100 breast stroke and the 200 individual medley, winning Mt. Hood second team all-league honors in those events as well.

She broke the school record in the breaststroke, took third at the state meet her sophomore year and was named a MAC Scholarship Award recipient.

During her junior year, she broke her own record in the 100 breast stroke, qualified for Junior Nationals and was under All-American consideration.

She capped off her career with first team all Mt. Hood Conference honors in 100 breast stroke and 200 individual medley while serving as team captain.

Throughout her four years, she recorded four DDHS top ten times. They were in the 50 free, 100 free, 100 breast stroke and 200 individual medley.

Rodriguez is also the 2017 Loprinzi Scholarship Program Recipient, earning an $11,000 scholarship that she plans to use to attend Oregon State University. This scholarship is awarded by Multnomah Athletic Foundation Board. As a sophomore, Fernanda was chosen as the David Douglas High School MAC Scholar Athlete.

She served on student council and graduated with a 3.75 GPA.

McKinley Riggs is the David Douglas High male athlete of the year. COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

McKinley Riggs is the David Douglas High male athlete of the year.
COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

David Douglas High School male athlete of the year is McKinley Riggs. Riggs ran cross-country and track and field and was a team captain. He earned second team all Mt. Hood Conference honors in 300-meter hurdles his senior year and was first team all-league in the 4×400 relay his junior year. That relay team also earned an all-state honorable mention. He also played in the band and was the 2014 student of the month.

Christopher Boyer is the 2017 DDHS outstanding football athlete. COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Christopher Boyer is the 2017 DDHS outstanding football athlete.
COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

David Douglas football fans have funded and created a scholarship for the football athlete who best exemplifies what it means to be a Scot. The 2017 Touchdown Backer is senior Christopher Boyer.

Letters of intent

Scots seniors on letter of intent signing day this spring. They are (from left) Noah Bitter, Kendall Belmont, Fernanda Rodriquez, Megan Getman and Lacey Jones. COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Scots seniors on letter of intent signing day this spring. They are (from left) Noah Bitter, Kendall Belmont, Fernanda Rodriquez, Megan Getman and Lacey Jones.
COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

David Douglas High School senior Noah Bitter will play football at Pacific University in Forest Grove in the fall. Kendall Belmont heads to Baltimore to attend Goucher College, Megan Getman signed with Warner Pacific and Lacey Jones moves on to Willamette University in Salem. All will play soccer for their respective schools.

Fernanda Rodriquez has committed to Oregon State University and will swim for the Beavers.

Music 
The Portland Christian Jr./Sr. High School band took third place in the 3A Oregon School Activities Association band competition. The band is directed by Matt Caldwell.

Parkrose High Debonaires celebrate awards at year end concert with awards won at state and district competitions. COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH SCHOOL

Parkrose High Debonaires celebrate awards at year end concert with awards won at state and district competitions.
COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH SCHOOL

The Parkrose High Debonaires came home from state with second place in men’s small ensemble and fourth in women’s small ensemble after earning first-place (men) and second-place (women) plaques at districts.

In addition, the A-Choir, Women’s Chorale and Men’s Chorale each received gold awards from the American Choral Directors Association.

David Douglas High band and orchestra all-stars 

All-State Symphonic Band
Abigail Alvarez, Rebecca Burfitt, Anthony Jacob Green, Jonathan Meza

All-State Wind Symphony
Max Baker, Wynne Chen, Sarah Muller, Abigail Loring

All-State Symphony Orchestra
Jeanie Chen, Aubrey Folwick, Daniel Folwick, Joseph Folwick

All-Northwest Symphony Orchestra
Aubrey Folwick, Daniel Folwick, Joseph Folwick

League solo contest
Flute: Rebecca Burfitt, second place; Kelsey Howard, fifth place
Clarinet: Joseph Folwick, first place; Daniel Folwick, second place; Aubrey Folwick, third place
Alto Saxophone: Landon Howard, first place
Low Saxophone: Kiara Hoffmann, first place
Horn: Sarah Muller, third place; Maxwell Baker, fifth place
Trombone: Wynne Chen, first place; Gabe Bella Fennell, third place; Luke Said, fourth place
Euphonium: Wynne Chen, first place

District II Solo Contest
Flute: Rebecca Burfitt, first place
Clarinet: Joseph Folwick, first place; Daniel Folwick, second place; Aubrey Folwick, fourth place
Bass Clarinet: Daniel Folwick, second place
Alto Saxophone: Landon Howard, first place
Tenor Saxophone: Kiara Hoffman, first place
Horn: Jonathan Meza, fifth place
Trombone: Wynne Chen, first place; Gabe Bella Fennell, second place
Euphonium: Wynne Chen, first place

Percussion Ensemble and Brass Sextet competed at state.

State Solo Contest
Clarinet: Joseph Folwick, second place; Daniel Folwick, third place
Tenor Saxophone: Kiara Hoffman, fourth place
Euphonium: Wynne Chen, second place
Trombone: Wynne Chen, fourth place.

Parades
The David Douglas High marching band was awarded second place in the in state open division at the Rose Festival Starlight Parade.

A few days later, the Floyd Light Middle School marching band went to the Rose Festival Junior Parade and came home with a second-place trophy of its own.

Bronco softball players getting ready for their first appearance in the state tournament in 20 years. COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH SCHOOL

Bronco softball players getting ready for their first appearance in the state tournament in 20 years.
COURTESY PARKROSE HIGH SCHOOL

Softball
Parkrose varsity softball struggled during conference play, but they earned a state play-in game against Bend High. They traveled to central Oregon to meet the Lava Bears on their home field and handed them a 5-1 loss to earn a spot in the playoffs for the first time in two decades.

The Broncos ran into the eventual state runners-up in the Dallas Dragons and were put down 7-0.

David Douglas boys tennis team. COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

David Douglas boys tennis team.
COURTESY DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Tennis
Scot’s boys tennis team claimed second place at the Mt. Hood Conference tournament. The doubles final was an all-DDHS affair, pitting Kenton Bui and Tin Nguyen against Chris Boyer and John Bui. Bui and Nguyen won the trophy, and all four players were named first team all-league.

Receiving all-league honorable mention honors were David Veenstra and Rodgers Dong.

Track and Field
Parkrose High School sent four athletes to the OSAA Track & Field Championship meet at Hayward Field in Eugene by virtue of their performances at the Northwest Oregon Conference meet.

Spencer Tatafu took second in both discus and shot put; Sam Saryon earned his spots at state in the 100 meter and the 200 meter; Kylie Storm competed in 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles, and Noah Addie ran in the 400 meter.

Portland Christian second grader raised more than $2000 for orphanage in Uganda. COURTESY TERI SCHNEIDER

Portland Christian second grader raised more than $2000 for orphanage in Uganda.
COURTESY TERI SCHNEIDER

Not to be outdone, upper class man, sixth grader James Loffink pitched in to support PCS mission project. COURTESY GRACE DUGGERGiving back
Dylan Brown and James Loffink are two Portland Christian students who exemplify the virtue of generosity. In support of this year’s elementary mission project to raise funds for Shared Hope Orphanage in Uganda, second-grader Brown held two garage sales and ran a Facebook campaign, raising $2,036. Sixth-grader Lofflink was so inspired by what Brown did that he gave $115 of his birthday money to also support the project. Many other students at the school have also contributed to help purchase chickens, shoes and school supplies for the orphanage.