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MEMO BLOG | |
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To fully serve the community, the Mid-county Memo offers this section to showcase upcoming special events, celebrations of milestones in our readers' lives, those seemingly small accomplishments that often do not receive the recognition they deserve, and everyday events that should be shared with friends and neighbors along with opportunities to participate in the community. Memo Pad submissions for the July issue are due Friday, June 15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. Or mail submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave, Portland, OR 97230. To leave a phone message, call 503-287-8904. The fax number is 503-249-7672.
Local girl is in the money on “Jeopardy”
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| The answer is: Rose Schaefer, Portland Christian High junior. The question: Who came in second in the recent “Jeopardy” Teen Tournament? COURTESY SCOTT ROBERTSON |
School theater troupes look for ways to build audience
Throughout the school year, area high schools stage a variety of productions ranging from musicals to dramas. This year alone, theatergoers could choose from “Pirates of Penzance” at Madison, “Fiddler on the Roof” at David Douglas, “Anne of Green Gables” at Portland Christian and “Sleeping Beauty” as presented by Parkrose students. Drama students performed in “Macbeth,” “Thieves Carnival,” and Euripides' “The Trojan Women,” as well as student directed one act plays and films.
What does it takes to produce these shows? We asked Parkrose High theater director, Ms. Zena.
Using the recent presentation of “Sleeping Beauty” as the example, Zena said she asks students early in the school year to consider previously presented works and ask what they missed or what might be a good addition to the body of work.
Students and instructors consider what will work in the space they have; how likely a piece is to attract an audience and whether it will challenge the actors, and in this case, they wanted a play that would be family friendly.
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| As audiences dwindle, high school theater groups look for ways to market their plays to the community. This spring, Parkrose Thespian Troupe 1783 produced and presented “Sleeping Beauty” at the high school. Justin Wright played Prince Charming in the Rufus Norris adaptation. Mid-county Memo photo/Tim Curran |
Zena said she trusts plays coming out of the Royal Shakespeare Company because they are “typically more edgy, often creative takes on classic stories, definitely family-friendly, and already tested on a critical audience.”
Parkrose drama students typically number between 60 and 80. Some are interested in being on stage, while others are more comfortable in supporting roles backstage. Zena's policy is every student who auditions has an onstage role. “Sleeping Beauty” had 30 onstage characters. Unseen by the audience, fifty more students were involved in the production backstage.
Even with the high production values at Parkrose (as evaluated by the Oregon Thespians) inclusion of students from the district middle and elementary schools and family friendly productions, Zena says drawing larger audiences remains difficult. However, they continue working to find ways to build attendance.
Teacher wins grant, students to help with research
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| Science teacher Kim Newman wins a grant to continue a study of biomarkers with her Portland Christian students. COURTESY WILLIAM RUSSELL PHOTOGRAPHY |
Newman and her students will continue her study of biomarkers in placental tissue associated with preterm birth. Newman graduated from Stanford University in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in human biology and earned her Master of Arts in teaching from George Fox University in 2006. She has been teaching science at Portland Christian since 2002.
Argay Clean up volume down
The volume at the annual Argay Neighborhood Association Clean Up was down this year.
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| Parkrose soccer players helped Argay neighbors at their annual Clean Up last month. Adrean Brings Him Back, front, and, standing, first row, from left, Tommy Thow, Isai Rojas, Kyle Brown, Oswaldo Cadnejo, Brian Thow, Jaime Paredes, Geiser Interian, Fernando Ibanez and Colton O'Neal. Argay volunteers in the second row are, from left, Evy Bishop, ANA Chair Jeff Rempfer, Troy Palmquist, Coach Damian Califf, and Tom Shannon. In the third row, from left, Jim and Sally Gaudina and Debbie Magel. Mid-county Memo photo/Tim Curran |
He attributes the drop in volume to a few reasons. He said the change in the city's garbage pick-up schedules is the major factor.
If volume was down, help was up as 10 Parkrose varsity soccer players and their coach Damian Califf, volunteered at this year's event.
The annual clean up is held at Shaver Elementary in the Parkrose School District and made possible by a grant from METRO.
Birthday celebration nets new car
Former Parkrose resident and PHS graduate (class of 2006) Joshua Thompson wanted to do something special to mark his wife Naomi's 30th birthday. The couple lives in Southern California and both are fans of the television show “The Price is Right.” Tickets to the show are free. Problem solved.
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Parkrose High alumni Joshua Thompson arranged a birthday celebration on TV's “The Price is Right” for his wife Naomi. Friends, from left, Paul Kennedy, Candace Jeffries and Amy Grace Semelsberger joined the couple at the show. COURTESY THE PRICE IS RIGHT |
Coincidentally, the Thompson's had been relying on a vehicle with 'issues' before appearing on the show. They now have a safe, reliable vehicle that should serve them well for years to come. Happy birthday Naomi!
Here is a link to the video of the segment of the show starring Naomi: http://youtube/UPQZShdY2fA.
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