WHS December Students of the Month

Bryce Samwel

Creative and dedicated, WHS Senior Bryce Samwel excels as a student, a leader by example, and a golfer! Both staff and students are drawn to his bright smile, positive, encouraging attitude and courteous, respectful manner. Bryce not only is actively involved in life at WHS, but he is active in the community as well, volunteering at a large hospital and in various programs such as Loaves and
Fishes, Earth Day Cleanup and a community education golf camp. Bryce is a
bright light that will continue to shine wherever he chooses to go in life.

Karina Miller

Always positive, WHS Senior Karina Miller is dedicated to excellence in all that she does. This talented, diligent, hardworking young lady plays tenor sax in the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band and has been selected for several honor bands.

Karina's Senior Project this year involved supporting Stuff-the-Bus.  She did a tremendous job and her efforts along with everyone else who was involved provided thousands of pounds of food for the Washougal community.

Washougal High School Students Share the Love of Reading

Washougal High School Childhood Development students recently got up close and personal with understanding childhood literacy.

“As an assignment, my high school students were required to bring an age appropriate book for a literacy field trip to Gause Elementary,” Rachel Webb, WHS Childhood Development teacher explained.  “The idea is to encourage literacy across the district through our older students reading to our elementary students.  We were welcomed into Mrs. Darling’s classroom where the high school students read to the first graders and then the first grade students read to the high school students.”

“I could sense that the kids liked the independence they showed by reading to us,” said WHS senior Emily Perkins.  “It was cute to see them excited about what they were doing on their own. They were proud to show the big kids what they could do.”

There was also a lesson in not always getting things right. “Sometimes my brain reads faster than my mouth and I messed up reading aloud a couple times,” admitted Hannah Couture, 10th grade.
“It was good for the kids to see a big kid mess up reading too.”

Sidney Childers, 10th grade, was impressed at the reading level of one of the first graders she worked with.  “He was so proud that he could read a big chapter book,” she said.  “It was a huge National Geographic book about jaguars.  I was amazed!”

Besides giving encouragement to these young readers, some students hoped they would leave a lasting impression. “I hope we made an impact on them and they will remember this experience so when they are in high school they will do this for younger students,” said Couture.  Several WHS students agreed, recalling instances when they were young readers and interacted with older students and how inspirational that experience was.

“I had a reading buddy when I was in the second grade and now I get to be that big kids helping,” Brooke Otto, 10th grade, remarked.  “It is important for the little kids to understand that older kids like to read too.  It’s not just something they are expected to learn right now, but something they will enjoy.  You are never too old to read!”

“It is a field trip they will always remember because of the excitement of all students and the impact they made on each other's lives,” Webb said.  “This literacy field trip is what lifelong learning is all about.”

Rotary Scholar of the Month for December: Hannah Lintala

Hannah Lintala was selected as the Camas Washougal Rotary Scholar of the Month for December 2014.  Hannah is a sophomore at Washougal High School and has a GPA of 3.675.  Hillary Marshall, WHS Teacher Librarian, said that “Hannah is a determined young woman. She is a fantastic runner and encouraging to other teammates who are less talented.  She also volunteered last year with the WHS Stride and encouraged me in my running efforts!”  Kathy Scobba, Hanna’s Computer Applications teacher, adds that Hannah “works diligently to not only learn the skills but understand the importance of technology to further her academic career” and that “she strives for perfection and when does not obtain it, she will try again.”

Scott Boothby, Hannah’s freshman World Geography teacher, describes Hannah as “always willing to go above and beyond in class” and also noted that “It wasn't just her work ethic that made her stand out. The smile she wore each day and the care she showed for everyone made her class one of the memorable ones.”  Hannah’s Spanish teacher, Rochelle Aiton, says that “Hannah is a delightful student.  She comes into class with a smile and an eagerness to learn.  It's not always easy for her but, because of her hard work and determination, she is successful.  She is also an artist and has designed this year's Spanish club sweatshirt.  I'm happy to have Hannah in class!”

Hanna lives with her parents Earl and Deanna Swigert.  Congratulations Hannah!